Try: Create a strategy and put it down in writing from the conversation what does this future look like write down specific wishes so that everyone involved knows what is expected both today and in the future

Materials: Pen and paper

Categories: Sage, Topic, Communication, Financial, Legal, Medical Physical

Information: n/a

References: guide to legal and financial planning needs of seniors available at www homewatchcaregivers com

Keywords: Finances money legal issues communicating estate will healthcare

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

Try: Don’t take cr by surprise tell cr that cg has something important to talk about bring up the subject in a comfortable pleasant setting

Materials: n/a

Categories: Sage, Topic, Communication, Financial, Legal, Medical Physical

Information: n/a

References: guide to legal and financial planning needs of seniors by homewatch care givers available at www homewatchcaregivers com

Keywords: Finances money legal issues communicating estate will

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

Try: Use a situation cg has gone through as a lead-in to the conversation mom remember when aunt marilyn fell and broke her hip and her kids ended up selling her house to pay for the years of rehabilitative care she needed it’s the kind of situation we would like to avoid if we can if we plan in advance we can be better prepared and be proactive in what options would be available

Materials: n/a

Categories: Sage, Topic, Communication, Financial, Legal, Medical Physical

Information: n/a

References: guide to legal and financial planning needs of seniors by homewatch care givers available at www homewatchcaregivers com

Keywords: Finances money legal issues communicating estate will

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

Try: Ask cr iwho he is planning to ask for help if he needs care-short- or long-term spouse family members kids outside professional help consider how that decision would impact the family dynamics and finances

Materials: n/a

Categories: Sage, Topic, Communication, Financial, Legal, Medical Physical

Information: n/a

References: guide to legal and financial planning needs of seniors by homewatch care givers available at www homewatchcaregivers com

Keywords: Finances money legal issues communicating estate will

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

Try: Be sensitive and have a casual conversation with the cr to break the ice ask cr to make suggestions and try to make these suggestions work remind cr why rearranging needs to be done and that rearranging things will make it easier for cr to stay at home if needed involve another person in the process who the cr trusts this may help get things done without upsetting the cr

Materials: n/a

Categories: Sage, Topic, Communication, Maintenance, Mobility, Needs Some Assistance, Independence, No Supervision, Some Supervision, Vision, So-So Vision, Poor Vision

Information: n/a

References: guide to in-home senior safety by home watch care givers available at www homewatchcaregivers com

Keywords: Clutter organize home mobility independence safety living at home

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

Try: Stress can make it even more difficult to commnicate try to remain calm when you are communicating with the cr also take whatever steps are necessary to keep the cr calm keep background noise and group conversation to a minimum this can be very stressful to a cr struggling with the loss of ability to speak coherently be patient as the cr struggles to communicate try to understand the cr as best as possible try not to finish the cr’s sentences that can cause further frustration especially if you have guessed incorrectly about what he or she is trying to say

Materials: n/a

Categories: Communication

Information: The loss of ability to speak coherently is sometimes referred to as aphasia

References: n/a

Keywords: Aphasia communicate communication converse writing reading understanding speech

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

Try: Help the cr find a daily vitamin that includes an adequate amount of vitamin d to help them absorb the supplements encourage the cr to remain socially active and get outside in the sunshine on a regular basis develop an exercise program that works for the cr help the cr plan a well-balanced menu

Materials: n/a

Categories: Communication, Emotional Psychological, Maintenance, Medical Physical, Personal, Social

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: Diet nutrition vitamins mental fitness exercise

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

Try: Quiet rooms without background noise are better for someone with hearing problems make direct eye contact with the cr speak slowly distinctly and in a lower tone of voice smile use body language that is positive shows you are giving the cr your undivided attention and shows you genuinely interested in what he or she has to say use the poster board scissors and pictures from old magazines to make visual aids for major daily living activities such as going to the bathroom dressing eating drinking and sleeping for example if the cr wants something to drink he or she could hold up a sign with the picture of a glass of water on it use the notebook and pen with the cr to communicate additional thoughts and ideas

Materials: Quiet room poster board scissors old magazines and glue notebook and pen

Categories: Communication, Social, So-So Hearing, Poor Hearing, Fully Aware, Somewhat Aware

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: Hearing impairment hearing deficit hearing aid deaf

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

Try: Don’t wear your hearing aid in the shower swimming when using a hair dryer hair spray or other types of spray

Materials: n/a

Categories: Sage, Topic, Communication, Medical Physical, Hearing, So-So Hearing, Poor Hearing

Information: n/a

References: care & maintenance by starkey laboratories inc 2007 available at

Keywords: Hearing hearing aid ears

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

Try: Use a cotton swab taking care not to bend the contacts dirty battery contacts can cause the hearing aid not to work properly remove earwax from hearing aid to prevent temporary malfunction or permanent damage clean hearing aid using the small brush or the soft cloth that came with it never insert tools into the sound outlet doing so could damage the receiver if cr can’t clean the hearing aid completely ask a hearing professional for help change filters often so they don’t collect wax or dirt earwax build up may prevent sounds from traveling from the hearing aid into the middle ear make sure cr’s ear canals are cleaned regularly

Materials: Cotton swabs small brush or the soft cloth that came with hearing aid hearing aid filters

Categories: Sage, Topic, Communication, Medical Physical, Hearing, So-So Hearing, Poor Hearing

Information: n/a

References: care & maintenance by starkey laboratories inc 2007 available at

Keywords: Hearing hearing aid ears earwax

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