Try: #thread the needle with a color of thread that contrasts with the clothing color #pull thread so it is doubled; then knot ends together #on the inside of the hem sew an x at the front of the neck and the front of the bottom edge of the shirt; for pants at the front of waistband make the x a size the Care recipient (cr) can easily read repeat sewing over the x until it is noticeable to the cr #show the cr where the x is on clothing and explain that the x always goes on the cr’s front #give reminders as needed to look for the x when getting dressed

Materials: Needle different colors of thread scissors pullover or slip-on clothing t-shirts sweatpants pajama bottoms nightgowns etc

Categories: Cognitive Intellectual, Personal, Mobility, Mobile, Needs Some Assistance, Independence, No Supervision, Some Supervision, Vision, Good Vision, So-So Vision, Poor Vision, Cognitive Awareness, 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

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: #set automatic timers to come on thirty to sixty minutes prior to dusk so lamps will already be lit when dusk arrives #set automatic timers to switch lamps off after the cr goes to bed and has had time to fall asleep

Materials: Table lamps automatic timers for lamps

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

Try: #install a clock a large-print calendar and a message board in the cr’s new space or room within view of the cr #on the message board write the cr’s name location new home address or hospital and room number and the date monday october 15 2009 for example change the date daily #review with the cr the

Materials: Clock calendar dry-erase board something familiar from home afghan picture robe family members or caregivers

Categories: Cognitive Intellectual, Social, Mobility, Needs Much Assistance, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision, Cognitive Awareness, Somewhat Aware, Long-Term Memory, So-So L T Memory, Poor L T Memory, Short-Term Memory, So-So S T Memory, Poor S T Memory

Information: On the dry erase board clock and calendar every day in a calm clear tone of voice #mark off each day that passes on the calendar with an x #if the cr is in a hospital bring something familiar from home a picture of a family member an afghan or a comfortable robe #expect the cr to need more memory cues than usual as a move or a stay in the hospital often disrupts the routines that support failing memory #daily visits from close friends family members or caregivers are vital in helping a cr retain a sense of self-identity #equally importantly when a cr is hospitalized regular visitors can be advocates for the cr speaking to the staff when needs are not addressed in a timely or appropriate way information

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: To help the Care recipient (cr) stay as independent as possible avoid confusion and limit the number of items used to serve a meal using one plate one cup and one piece of silverware limits the number of choices to make many times a fork or spoon can be used for the whole meal if more than one course will be offered serve them separately and bring and take away the matching silverware for example bring a soup spoon with soup and take the spoon and bowl away when the cr is finished before bringing out another part of the meal if the cr finds using silverware too difficult offer finger foods almost any food can be made into a sandwich cut the sandwich into four pieces

Materials: Plate glass silverware and napkin

Categories: Cognitive Intellectual, Personal, Mobility, Mobile, Needs Some Assistance, Needs Much Assistance, Immobile, Independence, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision, Smelling, Good Smelling, Taste, Good Taste, Touch, Good Touch, Cognitive Awareness, 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

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: #after the caregiver places food in the cr’s mouth the caregiver can gently touch the cr’s jaw area with a free hand #the caregiver can also place food in her or his own mouth and begin to chew guiding with a free hand the cr’s hand to the caregiver’s jaw area to feel chewing activity modeled by the caregiver #the caregiver can use these touching steps as well for swallowing activity changing the touch area from the jaw to either side of the adam’s apple once the chewing has been done #the touch in the jaw or throat area can be a light deliberate slow stroking motion using the middle three fingertips only

Materials: Eating utensils food additional food and eating utensils for caregiver gentle touch and patience

Categories: Cognitive Intellectual, Personal, Mobile, Needs Some Assistance, Needs Much Assistance, Immobile, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: #if a Care recipient (cr) wants to do mechanical things but can no longer safely work with most machines cars or tools try designing a workstation that includes some of the tools and functions the cr previously enjoyed design the station with an eye for safe and interesting features #ask the cr to repair broken pottery or clocks or to clean various car parts for you #don’t expect or push the cr to do the job expertly; however encourage the cr to work on the projects as long as they continue to hold the cr’s interest #over time the cr may lose interest or knowledge of relevant skills be willing to let the time the cr did those things pass even if it hurts to see the cr turn from skills and activities that once seemed a part of who the cr was

Materials: Tools that can be handled safely non-toxic manual or blunt tools and compounds workstation at a special table or wall mount old car parts wind-up clocks wooden assembly kits pottery in need of repair

Categories: Cognitive Intellectual, Social, Fully Aware, Somewhat Aware, Good L T Memory, So-So L T Memory, Poor L T 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

Try: #offer the cr the comics pages or read the humor columns out loud #offer the cr amusing and entertaining television programs #if dementia interferes with a cr’s ability to follow a current program look for vintage shows the cr has been familiar with for decades the cr may easily find the humor in these #look also for recordings of vintage comedy routines by artists the cr has enjoyed throughout the years #put a bird feeder where the cr can easily observe birds coming and going

Materials: Newspaper comics pages or humor columns television or cable shows that the cr can follow and enjoy collections of vintage television programs recordings of vintage comedy routines bird feeder

Categories: Cognitive Intellectual, Emotional Psychological, Social, Independence, Some Supervision, Vision, Good Vision, So-So Vision, Cognitive Awareness, Somewhat Aware, Long-Term Memory, Good L T Memory, So-So L T Memory, Short-Term 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

Try: #call senior service agencies in the community or the county to find out what kind of transportation help is available to seniors #call family members and close friends who may be able to make commitments to helping the Care recipient (cr) get to and from a regular appointment #use a monthly calendar to note appointments and the name of the person or service who will drive the cr to and from each appointment write the person or agency’s telephone number beside each note so the cr can contact a driver or agency if necessary #make sure the ride schedule includes planning for events such as ##beauty salon or barber ##medical appointments ##grocery shopping ##worship activities ##visiting the library ##meeting friends ##going out for meals ##other weekly or monthly errands #try to schedule activities regularly for example hair appointments on every fourth friday at 10am or doctors’ appointments on tuesdays and thursdays match when it is possible regular appointments to the times you know a driver is available #respect the needs of the drivers ask them about their availability well in advance and notify them immediately if an activity or appointment is changed or canceled

Materials: Calendar pen time caring family members and friends knowledge of transportation resources to assist seniors

Categories: Cognitive Intellectual, Maintenance, Mobility, Mobile, Needs Some Assistance, Needs Much Assistance, Independence, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision, Cognitive Awareness, Fully Aware, Somewhat Aware, Long-Term Memory, So-So L T Memory, Poor L T Memory, Short-Term 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

Try: #buy a report book at an office supply store or general merchandise store #when the cr has begun making a number of accusations that appear to be false and that you or other caregivers are finding draining begin responding by listening and initiating the writing of a report explain that you need the details to follow up and find out what happened #never tell the cr he or she is crazy or try to brush the cr’s concern off because the cr is paranoid people may be less inclined to believe reports of theft or abuse although in fact caregivers or family members may be stealing from or abusing the cr #ask descriptive questions about the stolen items and then begin to redirect your questions so the cr’s focus is elsewhere ##what color was it what did they look like ##tell me about who gave them to you where did you get it ##always ask what when where how and who but try to avoid asking why if this seems to further confuse the cr

Materials: An official-looking report book or log book pens

Categories: Cognitive Intellectual, Emotional Psychological, Independence, Some Supervision, Cognitive Awareness, Somewhat Aware, Long-Term Memory, So-So L T Memory, Poor L T Memory, Short-Term 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

Try: Print out clip art pictures of commonly used household objects and paste them in a grid on blank pages of paper include pictures of items commonly found in each room of a house including furnishings clothes tools bathroom fixtures etc organize the pictures by subject household area in which they are found or in another order that makes sense to the users laminate the pages or put them in page protectors to keep them clean keep the pages in a 3-ring binder when the Care recipient (cr) has trouble remembering words give the cr the binder to use to find and point out a specific object

Materials: Paper computer clip art lamination or page protector if desired 3-ring binder

Categories: Cognitive Intellectual, Independence, Some Supervision, Vision, Good Vision, Cognitive Awareness, Fully Aware, Somewhat Aware, So-So L T Memory, Poor L 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