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

Try: #learn to use a glucometer from a nurse in the cr’s primary care doctor or endocrinologist’s office ask for a range of numbers within which the cr cr’s blood sugar levels are recommended to stay #test blood sugar levels before breakfast lunch dinner and bedtime or as directed by the doctor specializing in diabetic care remind the cr that blood sugar levels need to be taken regularly #keep low-sugar snacks available such as saltine crackers pretzels and fresh vegetables many grocery stores offer low sugar and low- carbohydrate snacks #avoid serving too many starchy carbohydrates at one time as this can cause blood glucose sugar to go too high starchy carbohydrates include potatoes bread pasta cereal peas cake and cookies #consult the cr’s doctor if blood sugar levels stay elevated above the range recommended for the cr #when a cr cr’s snacking between meals threatens to keep blood sugar too high consider switching the meal plan from three regular meals a day to five or six smaller meals a day or redirect the cr’s attention to a box that offers distracting activities such as simple games or folding napkins or small towels #use a calm voice and resist getting overwhelmed by the cr’s behavior #if the cr is not interested in a sit-down activity offer to stretch and walk with the cr

Materials: Caregiver who can use a glucometer training on glucometer if needed glucometer a device that measures blood sugar level low sugar and low-carbohydrate snacks toys appropriate for adults with dementia squishy balls light-up balls simple puzzles etc unfolded cloth napkins and small towels clear box for toys

Categories: Cognitive Intellectual, Medical Physical, Mobility, Mobile, Independence, Maximum Supervision, Cognitive Awareness, 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

Try: #purchase small boxes jewelry cases and a deck of cards at discount stores or resale shops buy textured balls through physical therapy catalogs or online and locate fabrics with wild textures at fabric stores #put the dresser in an area the cr frequents for example if the cr spends a lot of time in the living room put the dresser there #reserve the dresser for the cr and fill it with interesting but replaceable objects that the cr can investigate safely senses may be stimulated through the use of specific objects don’t let it matter if the objects get mixed up #maintain the dresser by refilling it as necessary items may end up misplaced or hidden cr’s do not lose or misplace items on purpose so don’t expect the cr with dementia find the missing objects

Materials: An extra dresser or desk with multiple drawers potholders and cloth napkins pillow cases and dish towels coffee table books or magazines with vivid bright pictures small boxes jewelry cases and a deck of cards textured balls or fabrics

Categories: Cognitive Intellectual, Emotional Psychological, Social, Maximum Supervision, Cognitive Awareness, 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: #the personal box or briefcase may give the cr a sense of security as well as the opportunity to keep things that feel important nearby #if it will help the cr recognize the box or briefcase write the cr’s name on the briefcase or plastic box with the dimensional craft paint #fill it with treasures from the list above making sure you don’t include items the cr would be tempted to swallow and that the things included aren’t likely to be pulled into pieces small enough to eat #talk to the cr about the items inside only if the cr is comfortable talking about them sometimes cr’s feel protective of the items and fear people will take them #give the cr duplicates rather than originals of documents for the briefcase or box keep originals in a place where they are safe from being hoarded shared inappropriately or destroyed

Materials: Plastic box with several easy to open and close compartments or a medium-size vinyl briefcase dimensional craft paint optional several small items gloves small picture books small calendar greeting cards especially musical ones silky scarves key ring with keys no longer used small photos including those of family you may want to laminate the pictures

Categories: Cognitive Intellectual, Emotional Psychological, Mobility, Mobile, Independence, Some Supervision, Cognitive Awareness, Somewhat Aware, Long-Term Memory, So-So L T Memory, Poor L T Memory, Short-Term Memory, Good S T 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: When a cr asks to go home to a place that is no longer home validate support the feeling not the logic of the wish don’t argue about facts accept the delusion as a need to feel safe loved or comfortable even as dementia causes fear uncertainty and discomfort ask questions about what home is like who lives there what’s the best thing about your home meet the emotions attached to the answers for example if the cr misses mother agree that there is no one like mother ask the cr what what’s the most special thing about your mother the cr cr’s answer may reveal a need to be loved reassured or comforted try distracting the cr with photos a snack a game or an explanation that going home will have to wait for a while i can’t take you now because no one is there right now the folks at home want you to stay with me for awhile some crs are soothed by a car ride if possible take a friend along with the cr and go for a drive

Materials: Caregiver validation of feeling car

Categories: Cognitive Intellectual, Emotional Psychological, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision, Verbal Communication, Good Verbal Comm, So-So Verbal Comm, Poor Verbal Comm, 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: Dementia affects how stimuli going in are received and since caregivers are often busy while talking things are often misheard mixed up misinterpreted not heard or not remembered by the Care recipient (cr) don’t ask the cr to do more than one thing at a time make time to for one-on-one conversation that lets the cr experience your interest concern and caring seat yourself and the cr comfortably where eye contact is possible turn off the tv or music turn off phone ringers give your undivided attention give the cr time to communicate listen touch gently and affectionately it it’s always good to ask permission before touching a cr particularly if you are not related to him or her

Materials: Quiet area comfortable chair physical touch if allowed

Categories: Cognitive Intellectual, Communication, Mobility, Needs Some Assistance, Needs Much Assistance, Immobile, No Supervision, Some Supervision, Good Verbal Comm, So-So Verbal Comm, Poor Verbal Comm, 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: Choose pants and slacks that meet different needs as behavior and ability change if dressing is done by the Care recipient (cr) and buttons are hard to fasten try zippered pants or pants with drawstring or elastic waistbands if dressing is done by the cr and buttons and zippers are hard to fasten and zip try pants with drawstring or elastic waistbands if a cr is helped to dress try zippered pants or pants with drawstring or elastic waistbands sweatpants are easy to wear but are generally considered casual wear consider the cr’s clothing needs in relation to social events pants particularly adapted for wheelchair users can be found in independent living catalogs

Materials: Pants and slacks in several styles

Categories: Cognitive Intellectual, Personal, Mobile, Needs Some Assistance, Needs Much Assistance, Immobile, Independence, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision, Touch, Good Touch, So-So Touch, Poor Touch, Poor L 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: If a Care recipient (cr) with dementia is unable to climb steps safely block access to stairs with baby gates place a baby gate at the top of a staircase going down to a cellar or at the bottom of a staircase going up to a second floor buy more than one baby gate to block access to more than one staircase at a time or to avoid having to carry a gate up and down stairs baby gates are sold with toddler supplies

Materials: Baby gates

Categories: Cognitive Intellectual, Medical Physical, Mobility, Mobile, Needs Some Assistance, Needs Much Assistance, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision, 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

Try: See if weight loss is linked to illness or infection trouble getting food from plate to mouth difficulty using silverware lack of interest or decreasing appetite consult a doctor if more than a couple of pounds are lost in a week and if you are having trouble identifying or correcting the source of the problem review medications with a doctor and consider physical therapy offer utensils with weighted or wide handles instead of three large meals offer four to six small meals a day use plates with high color contrast to food and the table or placemat try serving food in a large shallow bowl; it may be easier to manage food in a bowl than on a plate if this is not helpful add a plate guard to a plate to aid in lifting food from plate to fork plate guards are available through catalogs selling independent living supplies to seniors and people with disabilities and often through medical supply stores help guide a utensil’s path with a gentle hand under the care recipient’s cr cr’s wrist if the cr cr’s health allows it increase caloric intake by using cream butter sugar and starches in recipes serve food that can be eaten easily with a soup spoon or the fingers

Materials: Doctor weighted silverware colored plate large shallow bowl plate guard soup spoon guiding hand high calorie foods finger foods

Categories: Cognitive Intellectual, Medical Physical, Mobility, Mobile, Needs Some Assistance, Needs Much Assistance, Immobile, Independence, Maximum Supervision, 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

Try: Use a routine and simple prompts to change the habit of wearing the same outfit daily without washing it buy several outfits identical or very similar to the outfit worn most often put an open laundry basket in the care recipient’s cr’s bedroom put nightclothes out in the evening prompt the cr to put nighttime clothes on at the end of the day prompt the cr to put daytime clothes in the basket at night make a large print sign that says clothes add an arrow pointing to the basket use tape or mounting gum to hang the sign at eye level above the basket take clothes from the basket at night when the cr is asleep transfer clothes to a hamper out of the cr’s sight to await washing put a complete clean outfit underwear to outerwear out for the cr by early morning if necessary put the clean outfit in the basket where the cr last put the dirty outfit

Materials: Several identical or similar outfits laundry basket blank sheet of paper wide marker tape or mounting gum

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