Try: Program the phone with the essential names and numbers of family and friends place lists of these names and numbers and their speed dial codes in several places throughout the cr cr’s living space where they will be easy to find demonstrate charging the phone have the cr practice using the speed dial functions and speaking on the phone try calling the cr over the next few days on the phone for added practice encourage the cr often to try calling someone on his or her list

Materials: Simple cell phone with large screen and buttons list of numbers of people the cr wants to keep in contact with

Categories: Communicating, Good Verbal Comm, So-So Verbal Comm

Information: Some cellular phones are made to hold only a few select numbers and are generally designed for kids this may be a good option for even simpler operation

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: #outline the care recipient’s cr’s daily eating habits including small snacks and drinks #using large clear printing write the name of each meal or snack and its time on the blank side of an index card if the cr has trouble reading glue photos or pictures of related foods below the words #hole-punch the cards in the upper left hand corner and thread them in order by meal onto the key ring #paper clip the cards together with the next upcoming meal or snack facing up #after each meal or snack remind the cr to flip the current meal or snack card over to the back of the pile and re-clip the pile with the next meal or snack on top #when the cr is confused about meal times or whether a meal has occurred direct the cr to the cards to try to answer the question first if the cr can’t find the answer alone give kind helpful hints

Materials: Marker large index cards photos or pictures of meals and snacks key ring large paper clip interactive caregiver

Categories: Communicating, Feeding Eating, Meal Preparation, Memory, Male, Female, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision, Good Vision, So-So Vision, 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: Make a large button that says please face me when speaking or something similar for the cr to wear a pin-on name tag or similar would work as a substitute if not button maker is available

Materials: Button maker large button blank

Categories: Communicating, So-So Hearing, Poor Hearing

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: # if the cr has times where he or she feels participatory then the cr can help you develop the list of activities he or she wishes to participate in otherwise start with a list of standard activities and expand on it when you get a better sense of the cr cr’s likes dislikes # ask patient to choose between two activities on the list for example do you want to fold laundry or take a walk with me this forces the cr to pick an activity and not just respond no # immediately engage in chosen activity with the cr # praise the cr for participating in the activity # ask the cr to add activities to the list as he or she becomes more comfortable with the exercise sample activities look at photo album polish file nails style hair read aloud listen to favorite music dust furniture fold laundry make cookies take walk exercise call friend write a card note to someone

Materials: Notebook list of activities the cr is able to engage in list of materials people needed to accomplish these activities

Categories: Communicating, Socialization

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: Sound amplifiers are available in many styles and brands and usually fit like regular headphones or earbud headphones making them more comfortable the units are usually small and lightweight and easy to carry around not to mention significantly cheaper than medically prescribed hearing aids because these resemble portable radios or mp3 players there is less of a stigma of wearing them

Materials: Sound amplifier

Categories: Communicating, Socialization, So-So Hearing, Poor Hearing

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: At the end of the doctor appointment have the cr ask the doctor to recap in laymen laymen’s terms the

Materials: Hand held tape recorder or digital voice recorder blank tapes or digital memory cards as appropriate

Categories: Communicating, Memory, So-So L T Memory, Poor L T Memory, So-So S T Memory, Poor S T Memory

Information: Or provide step-by-step instructions into the voice recorder make sure to label tapes or memory cards and store the ones that will be needed for long-term treatment in a filing system perhaps in boxes for tapes or on the computer for digital recordings information

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: Decide the idea you wish to communicate write it down in short sentences avoid transition words such as if but and and use no more than 5 sentences to convey the idea establish contact with the cr by saying his or her name possibly combined with a friendly greeting face the cr directly 3 to 4 feet apart with faces at the same height maintain eye contact as you say the sentences distinctly and slowly enough to allow for slower processing speed if the cr cr’s face shows a lack of comprehension at some point back up one sentence and repeat or paraphrase the sentences from that point on do not speak louder finish by saying the cr cr’s name and asking if he or she agrees with the idea or proposed action the interaction may be extended by asking for an opinion or comment about something that has already been said

Materials: Pencil and paper

Categories: Communicating, So-So Verbal Comm, Poor Verbal Comm, Somewhat Aware

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: Ask the cr to look out the window comment on the weather stating the opposite of actual conditions for example if it is warm and sunny out say matter-of-factly look at all that snow if the cr nods or indicates agreement you have an indication that her or she is not comprehending

Materials: Window with an outside view

Categories: Communicating

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: To ensure the test test’s success insert new or verified hearing aid battery into hearing aid the battery can be checked by cupping hand over the ear that contains the hearing aid a high-pitched whistle should be audible since the battery is functional have cr remove hearing aid and repeat the test by cupping both hands on the hearing aid leaving a slight gap to listen through verify correct technique

Materials: Verified working hearing aid battery to go into the hearing aid

Categories: Communicating, Safety, So-So Hearing, Poor Hearing

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: Provide dry erase board and markers for the cr to write thoughts feelings or ask for things he or she needs on the poster board write familiar words or phrases cut out and glue on shapes of common items and find items in magazines that represent different items so that the cr can have a quick reference for pointing to common wants and needs possible pictures for the board bathroom drink bed someone in pain i’m in pain food i’m hungry sweater i’m cold

Materials: Dry erase board and markers paper cardboard old magazines poster board

Categories: Communicating, Poor Verbal Comm

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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