Care recipient (cr) threatens to commit suicide

Try: Sit with the cr in a quiet and private area find out if the cr has a do-able plan to carry out the suicidal threat if there is then you should immediately take the following precautions remove any objects that the cr could use to carry out the threat do not leave the cr alone if there isn’t a workable plan to carry out the suicidal threat you should do the following talk about the concerns the cr has and make a list of them after all concerns have been listed go through each one individually with the cr help the cr solve any problems that can be resolved for example if the cr is overwhelmed provide help with prioritization and organization with regard to the other concerns encourage the cr to look at them from a positive perspective a negative outlook could be a major contributing factor to the suicidal thoughts help the cr see that the glass is half full and not half empty provide assurance and hope that there can be light at the end of the tunnel others have been in the same situation and have been able to overcome the same problems assure the cr that you are available at any time and will help in any way possible

Materials: #quiet room #pen and journal

Categories: Communicating, Emotional Psychological, Safety, Independence, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision, Verbal Communication, Good Verbal Comm, So-So Verbal Comm

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Care recipient (cr) gets agitated more easily than in the past caregiver (cg) finds it stressful to cope with changes in cr cr’s movements and emotions which can change suddenly

Try: Increased agitation can be associated with increased fears and anxieties pain depression frustration with loss of motor skills or difficulties carrying out activities of daily living if a cr is losing the ability to remember and put things into words signs of agitation may replace language as a way of communicating needs for things like going to the bathroom getting pain relief eating or drinking respond to a cr cr’s agitation by keeping your own emotional response somewhat low keep your body language and tone of voice gentle and unexcited avoid responding to anger or accusations and focus instead on addressing the cr cr’s needs address the cr cr’s needs by running through the list of the things the cr might be needing and asking directly do you need to go to the bathroom do you need to be changed do you need a pill did something upset you depending on the cr cr’s level of confusion and you may need to respond by being more assertive why don’t i take you to the bathroom now just in case you haven’t had a drink for three hours here is some juice tell me when i’m touching the place that hurts when confusion and forgetfulness are profound agitation may be the only sign of pain or infection something to keep in mind when evaluating the cr cr’s condition staying focused on the cr cr’s underlying needs may keep the conflict between the two of you low remember the cr has fewer and fewer ways to address his or her own needs and perhaps fewer ways to express them agitation serves a purpose manage your own stress so your whole life is not taken over by the cr cr’s changing situation keep some time and activity in your day and your week to yourself

Materials: n/a

Categories: Communicating, Emotional Psychological, Memory, Mobility, Needs Some Assistance, Independence, Some 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

Care recipient (cr) lives in the past

Try: #work with the cr to put together a photo album of both current events and past events in the cr’s life the photo album can be used for orienting the cr to the present and also for reminiscing about the past #ask the cr sit in a comfortable chair at a table go through the photos with the cr and ask questions as you sort them #ask the cr to tape current event photos in the front of the photo album #ask the cr to write out a description of the photos what was happening when where and who is in the photo #ask the cr to tape past event photos in the back of the photo album and write out a description for those events as well #leave plenty of blank pages in the photo album to add additional photos of both current events and past events #whenever the cr starts getting confused about current and past events use the photo album to help bring the cr back to the present #the photo album can also be used for reminiscing about the cr’s past #set aside time to talk about the cr’s life both past and present

Materials: Table and chair photo album photos of past events in the cr’s life photos of current events in the cr’s life tape pen

Categories: Communicating, Leisure, Memory, Independence, No Supervision, Vision, Good Vision, 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

Long distance caregiver (cg) can’t get his or her aging parent the Care recipient (cr) to listen to suggestions regarding care such as in-home help or moving to an assisted living community

Try: #you may still be a child in the eyes of the cr and therefore will not be taken seriously #it is very difficult to be a parent for your parent #when you need to meet with the cr to discuss the situation have the meeting in a social setting restaurant etc where the suggestions can evolve out of a general conversation rather than being perceived as an ultimatum on the cr’s turf #start the discussion with non-threatening conversation before gradually tackling the difficult issues #be an active listener and try to understand the cr’s point of view #if your meeting with the cr is unsuccessful it may be helpful to designate a voice of authority to speak for you this could be a family physician attorney pastor or respected family friend #in many cases you will get the brunt of the bad behavior as the primary cg an outside party acting as your advocate may have more success in talking to the cg and arriving at a solution for the care needs

Materials: Trusted voice of authority if helpful

Categories: Communicating, Emotional Psychological

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Care recipient (cr) has hard time understanding television programs following stroke

Try: #if a cr cr’s ability to take in

Materials: Television or cable service with closed caption mode option

Categories: Communicating, Housekeeping Home Maintenance, Leisure, Socialization, Mobility, Needs Some Assistance, Independence, Some Supervision

Information: Has been affected by a stroke receiving multiple clues about what is happening may be helpful #if a cr is having trouble following television news or shows enable the closed captioning feature on the television set or cable set up or if viewing a disk through the viewing options menu offered on the disk #closed captioning a running frame at the bottom of the screen features the words spoken throughout a program newscast or commercial along with notes of when laughter or sighs are heard #seeing the words won’t help every stoke survivor but for some closed captioning will add another layer of meaning and organization to a world that the stroke may have left looking somewhat confusing information

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Recipient cr with mild memory loss has trouble keeping track of plans commitments and arrangements that are made throughout the day

Try: #locate a notepad that can be easily carried by the cr in a pocket purse or wallet #encourage the cr to keep the notebook and pen in a pocket purse or wallet during the day #until the cr gets used to using them cue the cr by periodically politely asking if he or she would like to write a note as ideas come up plans are made or upcoming dates discussed #at the end of the afternoon or evening the notes made during the day can be acted on dates can be transferred to the wall calendar or appointment book and reminders to make certain phone calls can be crossed off after the cr sits down and makes the calls if necessary notes can be taken during the call to remind the cr of any follow-up action needed #the notebook and pen can be kept on the cr’s night table if the cr has the habit of reviewing details of the day just before bed or if it’s common for the cr to wake up with ideas during the night

Materials: Pen notepad wall calendar or appointment book

Categories: Communicating, Safety, Mobility, Mobile, Needs Some Assistance, Needs Much Assistance, Independence, No Supervision, Some Supervision

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Care recipient (cr) with vision loss encounters difficulty in the kitchen particularly while weighing and measuring foods

Try: #a liquid level indicator is a small device that is hung on the lip of a cup or container before liquid is poured when a liquid being poured into the cup rises to within a certain distance of its lip the indicator makes a noise cuing the cr with low vision to stop pouring #color-coded measuring cups and spoons and sets of black measuring cups make it easier for many crs with low vision to tell the measures apart and to see the ingredients being measured #talking kitchen scales and talking jugs give verbal cues about the amount or weight of food or liquid being handled additional talking appliances are also available including coffee brewers microwaves and timers #large-print cookbooks may be located in libraries and additionally cookbooks for people with low vision are sold through online vendors and other suppliers of and resources for people who are blind or who have low vision #look online or ask a librarian for help locating product catalogs using search words including independent living products blind low vision and vision impairment #if you would like to make a recipe accessible to a cr with low vision type the recipe in a clear style of font 18 points high or larger use dark black or color on a high-contrasting white paper adjust the font size to the cr’s needs

Materials: Liquid level indicator color-coded measuring cups color-coded measuring spoons talking kitchen scale talking measuring jug talking appliances large-print cookbooks

Categories: Communicating, Feeding Eating, Housekeeping Home Maintenance, Leisure, Meal Preparation, Reading, Safety, Mobility, Mobile, Needs Some Assistance, Independence, No Supervision, Vision, Poor Vision

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Care recipient (cr) has trouble writing and reading letters after significant vision loss

Try: #insert a blank cassette into the recorder press the record button if a digital recorder is used simply begin speaking #encourage the cr to speak into the recorder clearly saying to a friend or family member the kind of things normally included in a letter or phone call #when the cr is finished speaking press stop #remove the cassette and place it in a padded mailing envelope or box #address the envelope and mail #the cr would probably love to get audio greetings back from adult children grandchildren or other relatives make sure parties on both ends have recorders #for brief greetings or messages buy special cards that allow short messages to be recorded on them they are available at specialty gift shops and card stores

Materials: Tape recorder digital or cassette cassette tapes if necessary padded mailing envelopes or small shipping boxes greeting cards that allow messages to be recorded

Categories: Communicating, Emotional Psychological, Leisure, Socialization, Mobility, Mobile, Needs Some Assistance, Needs Much Assistance, Immobile, Independence, No Supervision, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision, Vision, Poor Vision, Hearing, Good Hearing, Verbal Communication, Good Verbal Comm, So-So Verbal Comm, Cognitive Awareness, Fully Aware

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

This technique may assist family members and the Care recipient (cr) to recall the past

Try: #use available technology to record favorite music songs on cds play the cd’s and reminisce #create dvd’s with movie clips photos slides of the cr’s family members friends vacation family gatherings loved ones etc play the dvd’s to trigger conversation #watch and listen with the cr

Materials: Cd player tv dvd player

Categories: Communicating, Emotional Psychological, Leisure, Memory, Socialization, Cognitive Awareness, Fully Aware, Somewhat Aware, Long-Term Memory, Good L T Memory, So-So L T Memory, Poor L T Memory

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

A Care recipient (cr) with a recent fracture forgets to keep weight off the affected leg

Try: Sew the velcro into the inside of the sock where it will be directly under the sole of the foot that is not supposed to bear weight the hooks should face toward where the foot will be in when the sock is worn put the sock on and check to see that the velcro is in place our bodies have an automatic reaction to painful stimulus and this is not affected by dementia the velcro may provide a sensory cue to the Care recipient (cr) with dementia discouraging the cr from putting weight on the foot every time i take a step with this affected leg i feel bristles on my sole and it hurts

Materials: 2 x 4 thick scratchy piece of the hooks side of velcro sock

Categories: Communicating, Dressing Clothing, Falls & Balance, Memory, Safety, Transferring, Mobility, Needs Some Assistance, Needs Much Assistance, No Supervision, Some Supervision, 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