Try: Fill the basket or box with funny props books movies etc engage the cr by having him or her look in the basket with you have the cr use different items in the box and ask about any instances when he or she used them on others or saw them first watch an old comedy together and laugh try to recite a comedic routine together read some jokes to one another and laugh try to remember the punch lines to knock-knock jokes ask questions about comedians who were popular in the cr cr’s youth ask specific questions and engage his or her memories as much as possible

Materials: Basket or box pictures of comedians popular in the cr cr’s youth note some facts about each person on the back of the card props that amuse the cr joke books audio recordings of comedy routines audiovisual recordings of comedy routines and or funny movies rent or check out from a library

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

Information: n/a

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Keywords: n/a

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

Try: #engage the cr by inviting him or her too look in the basket with you #make one of the recipes from the cookbook or magazine #have cr use the various utensils #talk about the aprons and what they remind the cr of or of memories associated with wearing them #ask questions such as what are some of your favorite recipes what is your favorite spice what does this smell remind you of what do you think this utensil is used for these people look like they are celebrating a special occasion what foods do you see in the picture

Materials: Basket or box cookbooks or recipes cooking magazines pictures of family gatherings around table of food aprons cooking utensils like cookie cutters spatulas whisks slotted spoons etc spices songs on tape or cd that have a cooking theme

Categories: Cognitive Intellectual, Social, Somewhat Aware, So-So S T Memory

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Keywords: n/a

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

Try: Limit the cr’s wardrobe to clothing that is easy to put on try these comfortable knit pants with elastic waistbands shirts that snap or are pulled over the head and shoes withvelcro closures and slip proof soles give the cr a choice between two color-coordinated outfits ask what color clothes the cr would like to wear that day make sure there are always clean clothes in the cr’s favorite colors available where the cr looks for clothes lay out clothes to wear in the order they will be put on offer help with dressing and grooming only if needed keep all instructions clear and simple if the cr wants to wear the same clothing everyday buy several of the same items switch dirty clothes with clean while the cr is sleeping or bathing

Materials: Clothes which are easy to put on limited decisions for the cr to make

Categories: Cognitive Intellectual, Personal

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

Try: # discuss with the cr and family how to digitize pictures from the cr cr’s background this collection can include family members relatives life events vacations etc # scan these photos and put them onto a digital memory card that can be used in the photo frame which can store hundreds of photos in most cases # if necessary take new photos of family and friends with a digital camera and put these photos on the memory card that will fit the frame # review the photos with the cr find out their significance or the cr cr’s relationship to the people in the pictures family members may help remember who people are and their relationship to the cr # have all caregivers working with cr make an effort to help stimulate memories by asking about the pictures and what the patient remembers about them

Materials: Digital photo frame digital memory card that will fit the photo frame scanner digital camera cr cr’s old photos ask cr family and friends for any old photographs

Categories: Cognitive Intellectual, Social, Independence, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision, 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: Install secure locks on all outside doors and windows place locks out of direct line of vision but keep the key hidden nearby in case of emergency keep all dangerous products locked up these could include liquor and cigarettes power tools guns cleaning supplies etc cover electrical outlets with childproof plugs remove knobs from stove consider installing an automatic shutoff switch if n/a is present adjust water heater to 120 degrees fahrenheit or less to prevent scalding use nonskid wax if you polish the floor and remove small rugs as they are often the cause of slipping or tripping keep trashcans out of sight remove spoiled food from kitchen quickly especially if the cr may lack the judgment to avoid eating it remove food-shaped decorations and small items that may appear edible to the cr consider removing the garbage disposal to prevent injury and loss of objects

Materials: Sliding window lock with key childproof electrical outlet covers childproof cupboard closures

Categories: Cognitive Intellectual, Emotional Psychological, Maintenance, Medical Physical, Independence, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision, 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: #meet with the cr to make a list of broad areas of concern old house new home finances meals medication pets etc use the list to note concerns in each area and write one specific concern per index card #address each concern and write the solution on the related card so the cr or caregivers can refer to it #write every new concern on a new card #sort the cards either according to the areas of concern or simply into those that include solutions and those for which solutions have not yet been found #keep cards together with a rubber band and leave them where the cr and others can easily read and use them the cards can serve as a way of remembering and managing concerns and as reminders of the work that has been done to address concerns

Materials: Large lined index cards 1 large envelope markers in various colors pen

Categories: Cognitive Intellectual, Emotional Psychological, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision, 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: Plan a shopping trip with a purpose such as to purchase a special gift for a family member special occasion neighbor in need caregiver etc discuss and plan the trip ahead of time identifying different places that could be visited make a list of potential items to be purchased consider shopping in an indoor mall where the cr might visit many stores and have a level surface for walking stop for a snack or to admire window displays if a shopping trip is not possible collect a wide variety of catalogs and engage in an armchair shopping trip using the marker to identify interesting items that could be ordered

Materials: Transportation or catalogs markers

Categories: Cognitive Intellectual, Emotional Psychological, Maintenance, Social, Some Supervision, So-So S T Memory

Information: n/a

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Keywords: n/a

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

Try: Make the news part of the cr’s daily routine cue the cr to notice every day’s date and weather conditions keep a notebook and pen on the breakfast table encourage the cr to write down important tasks or notes use the calendar to jot down appointments check them off afterwards make a special place for often-used items for example always put house and car keys in a bowl on the kitchen counter save a handy spot for bills that need to be paid and a separate place for bills that have been paid when a cr has trouble recalling something block out or lower noise use a calm voice and gently and unhurriedly cue the cr to recall or remember

Materials: Tv radio or newspaper notebook pencil or pen calendar with space to make notes in daily

Categories: Cognitive Intellectual, Somewhat Aware, Unaware, So-So L T Memory, Poor L T Memory, So-So S T Memory, Poor S T Memory, College, Functional Age

Information: n/a

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

Try: #take pictures of the cr completing all of his or her daily tasks #develop film or print pictures 4×6 size works best #label front of photo album ____ ____‘s schedule #place photos in the album in the order of the cr cr’s daily schedule #throughout each day caregivers and family can ask the cr what is next on your schedule and use other prompts to help remind the cr to refer to schedule #the schedule should be kept with cr at all times #consider making a different schedule for each day of the week if activities differ day-to-day

Materials: Pocket sized photo album with plain cover if possible camera any kind will work black felt-tipped marker scissors

Categories: Cognitive Intellectual, Some Supervision, Somewhat Aware, So-So L T Memory, Poor L T Memory, So-So S T Memory, Poor S T Memory

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References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: #put pills into pill organizer and review medications on the checklist with the cr #let the cr self-administer medication for one week #re-count the medication left at the end of the week to determine if proper amounts were taken

Materials: Pill organizers with slots for 1-2 weeks worth of medication checklist of medications doses and schedule

Categories: Cognitive Intellectual, Medical Physical, No Supervision, Some Supervision, Fully Aware, Somewhat Aware, 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