Try: Home adaptation involves adapting a home so that a Care recipient (cr) can remain in the home home modifications for cr’s with dementia must to take into account the physical changes cognitive deficits and behaviors associated with dementia examples include memory loss wandering and confusion among others focus on safety and the cr’s individual situation the following are general home modification options for cr’s with dementia install a home alarm system add dead-bolts and chain locks to exit doors install alarms on bedroom doors install a portable motion detector in the bedroom or near exits keep yards fenced and locked keep outside lights off at night simplify the environment , remove distracting objects post signs symbols and pictures on doors to identify the purpose of rooms mark a clear path from the bedroom to the bathroom leave a night light on in the bathroom install bright even lighting throughout the home information references

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Categories: Cognitive Intellectual, Financial, Medical Physical

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Keywords: Dementia home house

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

Try: Good drivers are alert think clearly and make good decisions when an older Care recipient (cr) is not able to do these things anymore he or she should stop driving however the cr may not want to stop or even think there is a problem as the caregiver you will need to talk with the cr about why he or she needs to stop driving do this in a caring and tactful way understand how unhappy the cr may be to admit that he or she has reached this new stage in life loss of driving privileges may represent loss of independence to the cr and this can be a very emotional issue try to find other ways that the cr can travel on his or her own for as long as possible your local area agency on aging may have information about transportation services in the cr cr’s area these services may include free or low-cost buses taxi services or carpools for older people some churches and community groups have volunteers who take seniors wherever they want to go here are some things you need to know about driving and memory loss a cr with some memory loss may sometimes be able to drive safely however he or she may not be able to react quickly when faced with a surprise on the road this can lead to dangerous results if the cr cr’s reaction time slows you will need to suspend the driving privileges the cr may be able to drive short distances on local streets during the day but may not be able to drive safely at night or on a freeway if this is the case you may want to limit the driving to certain times of the day and specific places the cr may consider this a more desirable option than a complete suspension it may help for the cr to practice driving in the designated comfort zone while you are in the car to provide guidance this may help build confidence and prevent problems later on the cr may even need to memorize the route to the grocery store pharmacy doctor doctor’s office and so on the cr with memory problems decide on his or her own to stop driving others don’t want to stop driving and may deny that there is a problem signs that the cr should stop driving new dents and scratches on the car taking a long time to do a simple errand and not being able to explain why this may indicate that the cr got lost information references adapted from the national institute on aging internet website www nia nih gov "caring for a person with alzheimer’s disease your easy-to-use guide 2011

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Categories: Cognitive Intellectual, Maintenance, Medical Physical, So-So Vision, Poor Vision, Somewhat Aware, So-So L T Memory, Poor L T Memory, So-So S T Memory, Poor S T Memory

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Keywords: Driving memory loss car shouldn’t be driving stop driving

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

Try: Here are some recommendations for things you can do to prevent falls in the care recipient recipient’s crs home apartment or room simplify the cr cr’s home too much furniture can make it hard for the cr to move around freely get rid of clutter such as piles of newspapers and magazines install a sturdy handrail on the cr cr’s stairway if one is not already there put carpet on the cr cr’s stairs or add safety grip strips put a gate across the stairs if the cr has balance problems make sure the cr has good floor traction for walking or pacing good traction lowers the chance that cr will slip and fall the following three factors affect traction the kind of floor surface a smooth or waxed floor of tile linoleum or wood may be a problem for the cr think about how you might make the floor less slippery spills watch carefully for spills and clean them up right away shoes buy shoes and slippers with good traction look at the bottom of the shoes to check the type of material and tread information references adapted from the national institute on aging internet website www nia nih gov "caring for a person with alzheimer’s disease your easy-to-use guide 2011

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Categories: Cognitive Intellectual, Medical Physical, Somewhat Aware, Unaware, So-So L T Memory, Poor L T Memory, So-So S T Memory, Poor S T Memory

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Keywords: Falls balance floors mobility home safety pacing traction

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

Try: Home adaptation involves modification of the care recipient recipient’s cr cr’s house apartment or room so that he or she can be safe comfortable and remain independent for as long as possible modifying the current house is often less expensive than moving the cr to another house or to some form of senior housing community independent living assisted living skilled care or memory care before you can move forward with adapting the cr cr’s home it is important to assess all relevant factors so that you can make an informed decision regarding the specific adaptations that need to be made the major factors to consider are risk factors in the cr this includes the cr cr’s overall physical and mental health conditions and disabilities the cr cr’s house and any potential problems that may be encountered the cr cr’s ability to perform essential living activities such as eating and bathing in the house the cr cr’s ability to perform other important living activities such as preparing meals and doing the laundry there may be other factors that need to be considered in addition to what is listed above every cr is unique along with the house that he or she lives in risk factors in the cr that need to be considered poor vision problems with depth perception hearing problems decrease in sensitivity to heat pain and pressure physical weakness cognitive impairment incontinence risk factors in the cr cr’s house that need to be considered once the cr cr’s living space has been analyzed it is easier to determine the potential modifications stairs and steps bathrooms kitchens basements narrow hallways essential living activities to consider knowing the cr’s ability to perform these functions will help determine the home’s necessary adaptations maintaining continence eating getting in and out of bed using the toilet bathing regularly dressing other important living activities to consider knowing the cr’s ability to perform these functions will help determine the home’s necessary adaptations this is not an exclusive list however here are some of the important functions that a semi-independent cr must be able to perform moving around the house using the telephone preparing meals cleaning doing laundry taking medications managing finances information references adapted from the internet website www howtocare com

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Categories: Cognitive Intellectual, Maintenance, Medical Physical, Personal, Needs Some Assistance, Needs Much Assistance, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision

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References: n/a

Keywords: Home modification home safety independence

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

Try: Over time care recipients crs with alzheimer’s disease ad become less able to manage things around the house apartment room or living quarters for example the cr may not remember if the stove was turned off or the water was left running how to use the phone in an emergency to stay away from dangerous things around the house such as certain medicines or household cleaners where things are in the house what caregivers can do to help as a caregiver you can do many things to make a house safer for a cr with ad add the following to the cr cr’s house if not already in place smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in or near the kitchen and in all bedrooms emergency phone numbers ambulance poison control doctors hospital family members caregivers etc near all telephones safety knobs on the stove and a shut-off switch childproof plugs for unused electrical outlets lock up or remove the following from the cr cr’s house prescription and over-the-counter medicines alcohol cleaning products dangerous chemicals such as paint thinner matches scissors knives etc small throw rugs poisonous plants call the u s national poison control hotline at 1-800-222-1222 to find out which houseplants are poisonous all guns and other weapons gasoline cans and other dangerous items in the garage information references adapted from the national institute on aging internet website www nia nih gov "caring for a person with alzheimer’s disease your easy-to-use guide 2011

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

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Keywords: Memory loss home safety cognitive impairment poor memory forgetfulness

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

Try: Caregivers cgs need to keep care recipients crs involved in the decision making process regarding major life changes that are necessary the following questions can help reveal the cr cr’s feelings i can see that this is important to you; can you tell me how you feel is something bothering you can we talk about how you feel about these changes after the cr has explained how he or she feels ask more pointed questions such as what have you done so far to solve this issue what else can you do to help solve this problem what is your next step where can you get more information about this to help your decision making process giving the cr your full attention can go a long way in gaining his or her trust if the cr knows that you fully understand how he or she feels about the situation there may be more willingness to compromise on important decisions made regarding major life changes information references adapted from information found in the book the complete eldercare planner by joy loverde

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Categories: Cognitive Intellectual, Communication, Emotional Psychological

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Keywords: Change difficult conversation decision making

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

Try: There are several hospice organizations that offer grief death and after-life support zen hospice and the rigpa fellowship offer spiritual care information zen hospice and rigpa fellowship use buddhist and hindu religious practices to care for the sick and dying practices are taught for dying and after-death states forgiveness and purifying oneself are emphazied to prepare for the death journey references adapted from material found in the book caregiving the spiritual journey of love loss and renewal by beth witrogen mcleod

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Categories: Cognitive Intellectual, Communication, Emotional Psychological, Personal, Social, Spiritual

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Keywords: Spirituality beliefs prayer meditation buddhism hinduism afterlife death hospice

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

Try: Gerontologists have found that good health and religious commitment are related finding a place of worship is important to elders of any age and condition information the place that one worships should be a place where one feels that they can serve and grow in their spirituality being able to serve in even a small capacity gives value to a person person’s life visit with church members or the church staff to find out what can be done even a bed-ridden Care recipient (cr) can be on the prayer team make sure that your beliefs align with those of the church research the history of the church and find out if there are activities and groups for seniors visit the church during worship time and decide if it is a good fit pay attention to the music and the service order to find out if it is a place where you will be comfortable references

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Categories: Cognitive Intellectual, Communication, Emotional Psychological, Personal, Social, Spiritual

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Keywords: Church worship activities religion spirituality

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

Try: The jewish religion has definitive mourning and bereavement rituals information the body is buried within 3 days in a plain cloth and a plain coffin to identify the humble servant immediate family members rend a garment symbolizing the tear in the fabric of life immediate family members do not leave the house or work for 7 days during this 7 days a minyan 10 adults visits to home of the deceased bring food and participate in morning and evening prayers the hevra kadisha is a holy society that prepares the body for burial by washing the body and saying prayers the kaddish is the prayer for the deceased that exhorts submission to divine will references adapted from material found in the book caregiving the spiritual journey of love loss and renewal by beth witrogen mcleod

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Categories: Cognitive Intellectual, Communication, Personal, Social, Spiritual

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Keywords: Spirituality grief judaism jew jewish bereavement death mourning

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

Try: Many care recipients cr have a spiritual outlook on life it is helpful to understand what spirituality is and what it means to the cr information spirituality is a form of connecting oneself with a higher power the spiritual person looks at life circumstances and relationships based on what they believe facts are important to the spiritual person but he or she is most likely to respond to situations based on what he or she believes to be true a spiritual person often meditates or prays and needs times of solitude a spiritual person generally enjoys meeting with other people of the same belief references

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Categories: Cognitive Intellectual, Communication, Emotional Psychological, Social, Spiritual

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Keywords: Spirituality beliefs prayer meditation

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