Try: #create a schedule for the next year for all family members who will make a weekly phone call to the cr #write week 1 on the top of an index card then week 2 on the top of the next index card and continue this through week 52 #ask each family member to take several index cards with the weeks written on them until the cards are all gone #ask the family members to pick a date within their specific week when they will make the call write the family members names and the dates they will call on the card #copy the same

Materials: Pen calendar 104 index cards 3 x 5 stapler envelopes stamps list of family members’ addresses and phone numbers phone

Categories: Communication, Emotional Psychological, Social, Independence, Some Supervision, Long-Term Memory, So-So L T Memory, Short-Term Memory, So-So S T Memory

Information: To a blank index card there should now be two cards with the identical information week # date and name send all the family members who signed up to make calls the copies of the cards with their dates to call #the family member will keep their copies and all the original cards will be put together to make a coupon book for the cr the coupon book should start with week 1 continue in order through week 52 and be stapled together this will give the cr a visual reminder of the family members’ commitment to call each week #the cr will be able to tell who is going to call and what date they will call the family members will also have their own cards as reminders to call the cr information

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: n/a

Materials: #go to the beauty shop with the cr to help out and provide assurances that everything is ok if you can’t go ask another caregiver to go #encourage the beautician to stay on schedule if at all possible the cr may be inflexible and become agitated if he or she has to wait very long or if the appointment gets cancelled or changed to another time #encourage the beautician to communicate effectively to find out exactly what the cr wants and needs if the cr has a good experience and results he or she will likely be more inclined to return in the future without any fear or reservations #pay attention to what makes the cr uncomfortable at the salon and make sure the beautician is aware of it a cr may be nervous about water touching his or face may be uneasy having a smock wrapped snuggly around his or her neck or may find the sound or sensation of a hair dryer or blow dryer unbearable look for signs of agitation including eye or head movements hand wringing or fingers tightening fast breathing etc address the situations that may be causing anxiety ask the beautician to keep water from the cr’s face loosen the plastic smock or ask if it can be replaced with several draped towels ask that a blow dryer be used on a low setting etc

Categories: Communication, Emotional Psychological, Personal, Independence, Some Supervision, Cognitive Awareness, 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: Giving the cr a choice of actions to take for example would you like to brush your teeth now or do your hair now would you like to have breakfast now or get dressed first give the cr a choice between two actions that you want the cr to take that way you won’t be disappointed with either choice the cr makes try

Materials: #when you ask the cr to do a task be sure to use polite words at the beginning and end of the request say please and thank you #if the cr uses a wheelchair or is frequently seated make an effort to put yourself at the cr’s eye level when you make requests sit beside or across from the cr when talking about something you’d like the cr to do instead of standing over the cr #ask yourself if you are talking down to or giving orders to the cr if you are consider asking for the cr’s help instead #if the cr continues to be uncooperative

Categories: Communication, Social

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: #the caregiving relationship can be lonely and depressing for both the cr and cg try reading humorous essays or old joke books out loud to the cr this could cause a two-fold effect it will cheer you up and maybe you will laugh out loud your laughter may be contagious and the smile on your face may soon be reflected in the mood of the cr laughter can break down the barriers to communication and be a good starting point for interaction #look for collections of humorous essays or jokes if the cr has a favorite columnist look for collections of past columns find old joke books in second hand bookstores books and cartoons can also be located free online

Materials: Humorous essays or old joke books

Categories: Communication, Emotional Psychological, Social, Mobility, Needs Some Assistance, Independence, Some Supervision

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: Approach the cr from the front make good eye contact and kneel if necessary focus on the cr and give your undivided attention say the cr’s name before you begin talking if the cr is hard of hearing try to reduce background noise speak slowly and loudly enough for the cr to hear you but don’t exaggerate your lip movements as this will interfere with a cr cr’s lip reading efforts smile stay calm flexible open and guiding but not controlling be aware of your body language and tone of voice only 7 of communication comes from the words that you say 38 comes from the tone of your voice and 58 comes from your body language use touch when it is welcomed and gestures when appropriate don’t do all the talking remember that communication is a two-way process stick with the cr’s subject first before you try to change it go with the flow of the conversation to get the cr involved be an active listener many crs stop talking because they do not feel anyone is listening talk to the cr at mealtimes this is usually a good time to socialize find out what the cr’s world is and enter it if the cr is unable to stay oriented to reality don’t frustrate both of you by insisting on it try once or twice at a time and then let it go for a bit when you cannot understand what the cr is saying ask closed questions that let him or her give you a yes or no answer or that let you know the cr cr’s preference between two choices don’t tell the cr what to do providing a choice or options shows the cr that you respect his or her judgment and opinion don’t argue with the cr unecessarily state your limitations give him or her a few options and try not to aggravate the situation treat the cr as an adult rather than a child allow negative feelings to be expressed by the cr and encourage open discussion then try to steer the conversation to something more positive

Materials: n/a

Categories: Communication, Good Hearing, So-So Hearing, So-So Verbal Comm, So-So L T 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

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 improve communication and 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: Communication, Emotional Psychological, Mobility, Needs Some Assistance, Independence, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision, Verbal Communication, So-So Verbal Comm, 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

Try: Ask the cr and physical therapist to sit down for a talk ask the cr if there are any daily activities causing him or her difficulty if the cr dismisses the idea that he or she needs physical therapy or denies having any problems with activities of daily living mentally walk through the cr cr’s day and discuss any difficulty the cr has with each activity be specific for example if the physical therapist asks if the cr has trouble dressing and the cr says no but you know otherwise you might say she wants to know how you get your socks on can you put your shoes on can you put your shirt on by yourself put your arm through the sleeve button the buttons how do you get your foot into your pant leg etc asking the questions calmly and giving the cr plenty of time to answer them may allow a more realistic picture of the cr cr’s abilities and challenges to emerge take notes on the cr’s responses so they can be factored into a treatment plan in consultation with the cr and the physical therapist establish a schedule of treatment write the schedule on a calendar place the calendar where the cr can look at it and know exactly what to expect with each treatment involvement in the treatment plan may provide the cr with a sense of ownership and control over his or her situation this approach may also be useful with other home health care providers including occupational and speech therapists or home health aides

Materials: Pen and note pad calendar

Categories: Communication, Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: #although the cr’s condition should be noted in the medical chart and although nurses and doctors working with the cr should be familiar with it it is generally also useful for a cr with a special condition or disability to have a single page paper at hand outlining the condition and important related

Materials: Index cards black pen with thick tip and comfortable grip regular sheet of paper

Categories: Communication, Medical Physical, Verbal Communication, Poor Verbal Comm

Information: For example a cr with difficulty speaking may benefit from having a paper in the room that lets staff know that it takes the cr several minutes to complete a thought in words and that the cr uses index cards and a pen to make important needs or thoughts known quickly #the cr or the caregiver can use the black pen to write one key word or phrase per index card #some cards can be prepared in advance; however it would be wise to bring blank cards and the pen to the hospital so new cards can be made to address needs you didn’t anticipate #key words and phrases might include i am in pain may i have a drink please i would like to have a meal i need help getting to the bathroom could you call ___ for me i think something is wrong please get my nurse too hot too cold and light you may also want to write the numbers one through ten on a card many hospitals do pain assessments throughout patients’ stays and ask them to evaluate their pain on a scale of one to ten information

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: #if the cr is wearing a hearing aid make sure it is turned on if the cr hears better out of one ear than the other direct your speech toward that ear #speak slowly and clearly face the cr directly sit in good lighting with the light overhead not behind you where your face will be shadowed don’t do anything that will interfere with a cr’s ability to follow your lips such as exaggerating your speech talking too fast chewing gum or talking while smoking cigarettes or eating #get the cr’s attention before speaking by touching the cr’s arm or hand or by making eye contact #if the cr becomes distracted by background noise lower the noise refocus the cr’s attention on your conversation or move the conversation to a quieter spot #lower the pitch of your voice slightly without raising the volume of your voice lower tones are often easier to hear than higher ones raising the volume of your voice will become frustrating to you and will not necessarily make it easier for the cr to hear you #keep talking on an adult level #if the cr has trouble understanding you repeat your statement if the cr still doesn’t understand repeat yourself using different words some sounds maybe coming through clearer than others for the cr and changing your words may make a difference #sometimes a cr can understand what another person says because of familiarity with the person’s pitch or pronunciation if you are caring for someone who doesn’t know you well a person more familiar to the cr may be able to help you communicate more clearly #remember that we communicate most

Materials: Nothing special needed

Categories: Communication, Mobility, Mobile, Needs Some Assistance, Independence, No Supervision, Some Supervision, Hearing, Poor Hearing

Information: Non-verbally this means that even if you don’t think the cr can hear you he or she can read your body language and your tone and will know when you are angry frustrated sad or happy information

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: There could be several reasons cr shows resistance to care loss of independence doesn’t want to rely on someone else fearful of change in daily routine may perceive caregiving as charity may feel like accepting care will be being treated like a child may be fearful of having another person in the home address all of these issues with the cr calmly and sincerely see things from their viewpoint and validate and listen to the cr’s feelings and fears impartially reassure the cr that their accepting care will provide you peace of mind as to their well-being and safety keep the lines of communication open as to current and future levels of care and have a tentative plan in mind as to how to recognize when a new level of care is needed

Materials: n/a

Categories: Communication, Emotional Psychological, Fully Aware, Somewhat Aware

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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