Try: Use the following checklist of questions when a cr with dementia is restless for no apparent reason is the cr’s underwear dry when was the last time the cr had a bowel movement is the cr constipated does the cr have diarrhea does the cr need to relieve gas or bloating is the cr in pain did the cr recently fall do a head-to-toe assessment checking for everything from a headache to an ingrown toenail does the cr have any skin irritations including sores rashes or bruises are glasses or hearing aids in proper working order has the cr’s medication been recently changed in any way new prescription new dosage or discontinuation of a medication does the cr have an unusual temperature has the cr had a recent visitor or taken a recent trip that might have caused agitation is lighting in the environment irritating the cr by being too harsh or too direct is sun falling directly into the cr’s eyes or heating a patch of skin

Materials: Checklist of things to consider

Categories: Cognitive Intellectual, Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical, Mobility, Mobile, Independence, Maximum Supervision, Verbal Communication, Poor Verbal Comm, Cognitive Awareness, Somewhat Aware, Long-Term Memory, Poor L T Memory, Short-Term Memory, Poor S T Memory

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: #after a spouse dies the surviving spouse spouse’s grief may include stages of forgetfulness moodiness and inattention all of which may be temporary on the other hand if the spouse who died has been covering for the survivior survivior’s growing dementia adult children may see significant signs of the problem for the first time after the first parent parent’s death #additionally bereavement and changes to routine may add to dementia-related confusion #adult children should balance concern for the surviving parent parent’s safety and wellbeing with respect for his or her need for independence it would be useful to talk to a grief counselor or read about the impact of grief on spouses before jumping to action unless a life is in danger #locate useful

Materials: List of grief resources and contact numbers information on grief process from nearest hospice or hospital information on dementia respect for remaining parent parent’s need for independence

Categories: Cognitive Intellectual, Emotional Psychological, Spiritual, Independence, No Supervision, Cognitive Awareness, Fully Aware, Long-Term Memory, So-So L T Memory, Short-Term Memory, So-So S T Memory

Information: On death grief and grief counseling from the closest hospice center #information about dementia can be found in many doctors offices or agencies serving seniors #if forgetfulness continues remind the parent to see a primary care doctor for an exam and to discuss the problem of forgetfulness if possible offer to go with the parent if there are no other options call the doctor doctor’s office before the visit and ask that a dementia evaluation be made at the time of the visit even if the law prevents the office from revealing results to you you should be able to let the nurse or doctor know you think there is a problem that needs to be looked at during the visit information

References: n/a

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*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: #write a sign and affix it to a wall or bulletin board near the cr’s bed for example ann’s family appreciates your visit please tell us about it in the notebook in the top drawer of the nightstand #decorate the cover of the notebook and put instructions on the front for example anna and her family request that you help her keep track of her progress and activities please write the date and time and a little about what happened during your visit please sign your name thank you very much encourage visitors to note if a doctor or therapy visit occurred while they were present #on the cover or inside front of the notebook list

Materials: 1 spiral notebook several pens 1 very visible sign inviting visitors staff to use the notebook

Categories: Cognitive Intellectual, Medical Physical, Needs Some Assistance, Independence, Some Supervision, Verbal Communication, So-So Verbal Comm, Cognitive Awareness, Somewhat Aware, Long-Term Memory, So-So L T Memory, Short-Term Memory, Poor S T Memory

Information: That visitors and friends might like to have such as the cr’s likes and dislikes in terms of foods colors flavors scents activities music and television shows #read the notebook when you visit or have a visitor read it aloud to you from the cr’s room if you need to call in for an update use the notebook along with reports from nurses and doctors to get a clearer picture of what is happening in the course of a day for a hospitalized relative information

References: n/a

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*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: #hang the dry erase board in a central room where the cr can see it easily #every morning write on the board in large letters the day date season and town and state the cr lives in for example today is monday september 10 2009 it is fall we live in urbana illinois #take a minute every day to review the

Materials: Dry erase board erasable markers centerpieces for dining table low bowl

Categories: Cognitive Intellectual, Mobility, Needs Some Assistance, Independence, Some Supervision, Vision, Good Vision, Cognitive Awareness, Somewhat Aware, Long-Term Memory, Poor L T Memory, Short-Term Memory, Poor S T Memory

Information: On the board with the cr do this when the cr is most clear-headed you may need to refer the cr to the board throughout the day if the cr repeatedly asks what the date is #keep a low bowl on the dining table to hold a changing series of centerpieces that are symbolic of the season; flowers in the spring fall leaves in autumn holiday decorations in winter etc match the decorations to the general season or specific holidays or occasions #if the cr has dementia that makes it unsafe to leave a centerpiece within reach keep the display out of reach but within clear view information

References: n/a

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*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: #if the cr talks repeatedly about wanting to go back to work do not try to explain over and over that work is no longer possible acknowledge the cr’s feelings with phrases such as i can tell you really cared about the job you did you took pride in the work you did working was important to you #offer ways for the cr to do something that feels productive even if the cr is no longer able to focus on complicated tasks simple tasks such as filling a bird feeder folding washcloths or napkins sorting silverware drying or peeling newly-washed fruit rolling yarn from skein into balls etc may be safe appropriate and helpful #open the door for the cr to talk about how it feels to be where he or she is now in life the cr may feel confused and alone and be afraid to say so listen without judgment and let the cr know you are here for him or her as the cr goes through changes #give the cr something to take care of that will not suffer if the cr is unable to keep up with care on a daily basis for example a plant or a fish make sure there is someone in the house to supervise the care of any living thing if the cr is unable to be reliable #if the cr tells the same stories over and over instead of getting frustrated write them down that way each time the cr tells the story again you can view it as an opportunity to fill in more detail

Materials: Kind and empathetic caregiver washcloths napkins silverware fruit peeler skeins of yarn bird feeder and bird seed plants or fish notebook and pen

Categories: Cognitive Intellectual, Social, Mobility, Mobile, Independence, Some Supervision, Cognitive Awareness, Somewhat Aware, Long-Term Memory, So-So L T Memory, Short-Term Memory, So-So S T Memory

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: #put familiar objects from the old home into the new home in spots that match their previous locations #make signs for all inside doors that include a written and illustrated description of the room beyond the door for example hall closet with a picture of coats or jenna’s room with a picture of jenna make the signs using pictures taken with a camera or clip art from a computer #discourage the cr from entering what might be an unsafe room for the cr by putting up a sign that says stop and has the image of a stop sign on it # if there are young children in the house get them involved by having them make signs out of pages from coloring books that they color or decorate themselves post the signs they make at their eyes’ level so they can be part of orienting the cr

Materials: Computer clip art and printer child’s coloring book with a theme of family or home crayons or colored pencils camera paper markers tape familiar objects from the cr cr’s previous home

Categories: Cognitive Intellectual, Emotional Psychological, Mobility, Needs Much Assistance, Independence, Some Supervision, Good Vision, Fully Aware, Somewhat Aware, Long-Term Memory, Good L T Memory, So-So L T Memory, Poor L T Memory, Short-Term Memory, Good S T Memory, So-So S T Memory, Poor S T Memory

Information: n/a

References: n/a

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*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: #find a central spot in the home to keep the index cards #break the daily activities into small related one-step tasks and write one-step tasks on each index card in order of the cr cr’s daily routine #number the top of each card in the order the tasks should be done #write the time of day the task should be completed on each card if there there’s a time requirement for the task #write the one-step instruction on each card in large dark letters if it will be helpful glue a picture symbolic of the task onto the card a feather duster if the task is dusting a bar of soap if the task is bathing etc #make the instructions as simple and specific as needed #leave the cards in order and wrapped with a rubber band for the cr and or the caregiver remind them to put each card in the back of the pile as the task on it is done

Materials: Index cards black pen or marker pictures or clip art if helpful rubber band

Categories: Cognitive Intellectual, Emotional Psychological, Mobility, Needs Some Assistance, Independence, No Supervision, So-So Vision, Cognitive Awareness, Fully Aware, Short-Term Memory, Poor S T Memory

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: #stay with the Care recipient (cr) for the entire grooming activity brushing teeth bathing styling hair shaving etc #prompt the cr through the steps needed to complete the activity using short simple reminders will you need toothpaste dental floss do you have your razor and shaving cream #if tasks are taking longer and longer and the cr’s stamina is limited find a way for the cr to sit while grooming #if the cr gets confused cue the cr toward the next step for example put toothpaste on the brush or wipe your face with the washcloth #if you notice the cr only gets stuck in one or two spots try taping a written reminder where the cr will see it while working on the task only use short phrases in the reminder #continue to supervise the activity until the cr feels confident and completes the grooming independently #if memory loss is permanent find ways to help when you are needed while allowing the cr to stay as independent as possible even if only in small ways

Materials: Paper marker tape careful observation by caregiver caregiver patience more time for completion of grooming tasks a sturdy safe seat if needed

Categories: Cognitive Intellectual, Personal, Independence, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision, Cognitive Awareness, Fully Aware, Somewhat Aware, Long-Term Memory, Poor L T Memory, Short-Term Memory, Poor S T Memory

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: #write a reminder card or note for each activity of daily living with two cards for the activities done twice a day for example there might be one card that says shower and two cards for things like brush teeth brush hair take medication etc #for activities done in the morning draw a sun on the card beneath the reminder for activities done in the evening draw a half or quarter moon below the reminder #in the morning remove all the cards from the tall jar and place them in the open basket with the morning chores on top if necessary the caregiver can put the cards in a helpful order the cr works through the chores and activities and each time one is completed the cr moves the reminder card related to it from the basket to the jar #at the end of the morning only the evening activities’ cards should remain in the basket at the end of the evening no cards should remain in the basket #the cr or the caregiver can move the cards back from the jar to the basket for a new day either at the end of one day or the beginning of the next

Materials: Sticky notes or index cards yellow marker black marker open basket tall jar

Categories: Cognitive Intellectual, Personal, Mobility, Needs Some Assistance, Independence, Some Supervision, Vision, Good Vision, So-So Vision, Cognitive Awareness, Fully Aware, Long-Term Memory, So-So L T Memory, Poor L T Memory, Short-Term Memory, So-So S T Memory

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: #provide chances for the cr to make choices in food drink clothing and activity offer simple and reasonable choices and honor the choice the cr makes #don’t keep trying to re-engage the cr in activities the cr is setting aside offer them once in a while to see if interest returns but accept that a cr’s indifference to some activities may be permanent #look for activities that match the cr’s current interest ability or level of emotional and physical energy if a cr leaves home less find ways to bring some activities from the community to the house for example a study group or visit from a clergy person could take the place of going to worship services card games could take the place of bingo etc #create interesting scenes or sounds for the cr to enjoy passively hang bird feeders to attract special birds plant flowers that attract butterflies put a bird bath where it is visible to the cr or hang prisms in a window to catch light and create rainbows take the cr outside to enjoy the feel of sun or light wind on skin #while the cr is losing interest in activities keep explanations and choices clear and simple emotionally or cognitively the cr may not be able to focus clearly on too many things at a time #when possible give the cr an activity that feels useful for example ask the cr to fold napkins before a meal or to help fold washcloths #finally accept that there are stages sometimes permanent where a cr’s focus and abilities have utterly changed and your roles in each others’ lives have changed too sometimes it has to be enough just to be there for the cr in the way you are needed if the cr in this stage is someone very dear to you you may wish to find a source of emotional support outside the relationship

Materials: Caregiver with a relaxed manner choices simple 1- or 2-step directions caregiver knowledge of the care recipient’s cr’s likes dislikes and preferences caregiver willingness to let go of who the cr was and accept who the cr is today

Categories: Cognitive Intellectual, Emotional Psychological, Social, Spiritual, Cognitive Awareness, Fully Aware, Somewhat Aware, Unaware, Long-Term Memory, Good L T Memory, So-So L T Memory, Poor L T Memory, Short-Term Memory, Good S T Memory, So-So S T Memory, Poor S T Memory

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed