Try: If cr lives independently try to assess his her care needs each time you visit for example try asking yourself is there food in the refrigerator is it spoiled is cr eating regular meals what is the condition of the inside and the outside of cr’s home has it changed are cer’s bills paid are there piles of unopened mail do friends and relatives visit cr regularly what is cr cr’s personal appearance is he she bathing and grooming is cr still able to drive safely

Materials: n/a

Categories: Sage, Topic, Communication, Maintenance, Medical Physical, Personal, Mobility, Needs Some Assistance, Needs Much Assistance, Independence, No Supervision, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision, Vision, So-So Vision, Poor Vision, Cognitive Awareness, Somewhat Aware, Unaware, 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: And keep it handy for example make sure you have contact information for physicians pharmacies care providers and neighbors as well as important financial and legal documents easily accessible in case they are unexpectedly needed try to give yourself a break living out of town does not mean you aren’t involved or that you don’t care try to get support by connecting with others who are long-distance caregivers through an online community or a local support group

References: Adapted from www alz org long-distance caregiving by staff writer no date

Keywords: Assess care needs lives alone piles of mail unpaid bills unsafe to drive

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

Try: Try to listen to each family member with respect try to give everyone an opportunity to share their opinion and avoid blaming or attacking each other as this will only cause more hurt try discussing caregiving responsibilities talk through caregiving roles and responsibilities make a list of tasks and include how much time money and effort may be involved to complete them divide tasks according to the family member’s p

Materials: Pen and paper

Categories: Sage, Topic, Communication, Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical, Personal

Information: n/a

References: And abilities some family members may be hands-on caregivers responding immediately to issues and organizing resources others may be more comfortable with being told to complete specific tasks continue to talk try to keep the lines of communication open for example try scheduling regular meetings or conference calls to keep everyone involved up-to-date discuss how things are working reassess the needs of cr and decide if any changes in responsibilities are needed plan for anticipated changes as cr’s needs change try to cope with changes and loss together try to remember that it is normal to experience feelings of loss caregivers and family members may want to seek support from others who are dealing with similar situations support groups are available try locating a support group in your area or join an online message board try seeking help from others you may want to seek help from a trusted third party such as a spiritual leader mediator or counselor sometimes an outside perspective can help everyone take a step back and work through the difficult issues references adapted from www alz org late-stage caregiving by staff writer no date

Keywords: Family conflict caregiving stress respite siblings brother sister long distance caregiving

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

Try: Spend time with the cr and try to keep him or her engaged in activities such as talking watching movies or reading allow the cr to express fears and concerns about dying such as leaving family and friends behind be prepared to listen be willing to reminisce about the cr cr’s life avoid withholding difficult

Materials: n/a

Categories: Communication, Medical Physical

Information: Most patient people prefer to be included in discussions about issues that concern them reassure the cr that you will honor advance directives such as living wills ask if there is anything you can do respect the cr cr’s need for privacy information

References: Agingcare com

Keywords: Death near death

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

Try: Try to get cr’s attention before you begin talking approach cr from the front identify yourself and call him her by name try to maintain eye contact visual communication is very important facial expressions and body language add vital

Materials: n/a

Categories: Sage, Topic, Communication, Medical Physical, Verbal Communication, So-So Verbal Comm, Poor Verbal Comm, Cognitive Awareness, Somewhat Aware, Unaware, 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: To the communication for example you are able to see a person person’s anger frustration excitement or lack of comprehension by watching the expression on his or her face try to be attentive show that you are listening and trying to understand what cr is saying use a gentle and relaxed tone of voice as well as friendly facial expressions when talking try to keep your hands away from your face also avoid mumbling or talking with food in your mouth if you smoke don’t talk with a cigarette between your lips try to speak naturally speak distinctly but don’t shout speak at a normal rate — not too fast or too slow use pauses to give cr time to process what you’re saying use short simple and familiar words try to keep it simple give one-step directions ask only one question at a time identify people and things by name avoiding pronouns try to be positive instead of saying don’t do that say let let’s try this if cr doesn’t understand what you said try rephrase rather than repeat what you just said if cr didn’t understand the words the first time it is unlikely he she will understand them a second time try to understand the words and gestures cr is using to communicate adapt to his her way of communicating; don’t force cr to try to understand your way of communicating try to reduce background noise such as from the tv or radio when speaking in addition to making it harder to hear the tv or radio can compete with you for cr cr’s attention try to encourage cr to continue to express his her thoughts even if he she is having difficulty be careful not to interrupt avoid criticizing correcting and arguing try to keep in mind the importance of non-verbal communication the presence touch gestures and attention of you can help to communicate acceptance reassurance and love to cr in all cases treat cr with dignity and respect don’t speak down to him her or speak to others as if he she is a child or isn’t present

References: Adapted from www webmd com improving communication with alzheimer alzheimer’s disease patients by jon glass 2012

Keywords: Communication conversation

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

Try: Encourage the cr to always take his or her time and to not feel rushed suggest that the cr ask the person he or she is talking to to repeat what they are saying or to speak slowly if cr doesn’t understand suggest that the cr try to avoid distracting noises and find a quiet place to talk

Materials: n/a

Categories: Communication, Medical Physical, Poor Verbal Comm, Somewhat Aware, Unaware, So-So L T Memory, Poor L T Memory, So-So S T Memory, Poor S T Memory

Information: Phone numbers names ideas appointments your address and directions to your home place sticky notes around the house when you need to remember things try to label cupboards and drawers with words or pictures that describe their contents place important phone numbers in large print next to the phone ask a friend or family member to call and remind you of important things that you need to do in the day like meal times medication times and appointments use a calendar to keep track of time and to remember important dates use photos of people you see often labeled with their names keep track of phone messages by using an answering machine

References: Adapted from www webmd com alzheimer alzheimer’s disease tips for maintaining a normal life by brunilda nazario 2011

Keywords: Speech communication talking slurred verbal

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

Try: Encourage the cr to talk about the loved one who died truly listen to the cr cr’s stories if you also knew the person who died share some of your stories it is healing to talk about and hear others talk about the loved one one’s life validate that both tears and laughter are ok find out if the cr has any guilt feelings related to the death for example what if or if only explore the cr cr’s feelings what would have been different assist the cr in trying to make sense of the events don’t ask if the cr needs any help just go ahead and do something to help for example here are some everyday simple things that you could do provide the cr with frozen meals that can be pulled out of the freezer when needed do the dishes run the vacuum mow the grass do household chores give the cr some specialty coffee or gourmet ice cream stay in contact with the cr on a regular basis

Materials: n/a

Categories: Communication, Emotional Psychological, Spiritual, Good Verbal Comm, So-So Verbal Comm

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: Grieving bereavement end of life mourning

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

Try: If possible provide a physically safe environment for the cr when he or she is confronted with the fear of dying allow the cr to verbally express his or her fear of dying provide the cr with the emotional freedom to own his or her fears explore the cr cr’s fears for example fear of the unknown spiritual issues unfinished emotional business actively listen to the cr and maintain good eye contact respect the cr cr’s feelings whatever the root of the cr cr’s fear is validate the cr cr’s feelings acknowledge the cr cr’s fear of the unknown make every possible effort to try to put the cr cr’s fears to rest by resolving any unfinished business addressing the cr cr’s spiritual issues and beliefs and so on bring spirituality into the dialog if you are comfortable discussing this subject in order to do this you need to become familiar with the cr cr’s religious beliefs and practices so you can connect on a spiritual level you should be respectful of the cr cr’s spiritual perspective and not impose your own beliefs on him or her assure the cr that life on earth is only temporary and life in heaven is eternal the things seen are temporal and things that are unseen are forever if the cr has run a good race in life make this a point of emphasis in your discussions rather than the physical and emotional issues that come with aging and the end of life assure the cr that he or she will be reunited in heaven with family members and friends who have passed on previously celebrate the cr cr’s life rather than mourn the impending death talk about past accomplishments fond memories the cr cr’s life story values legacy to pass onto others and so on

Materials: n/a

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

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: End of life death and dying grieving

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

Try: Do not take the cr cr’s withdrawal personally it is a natural part of the dying process tell the cr cr’s friends and family that they should not take it personally either even though the cr is withdrawing continue to include him or her in conversations and activities going on in the room the cr may be able to still hear and understand what is being said encourage the cr cr’s friends and family to do the same read and talk to the cr even if it appears that he or she can’t hear touch the cr in ways that would be normal and acceptable to the cr throughout the entire dying process allow the cr the freedom to walk his or her own journey

Materials: n/a

Categories: Communication, Emotional Psychological, Social, Spiritual

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: Death dying end of life hospice terminal illness terminally ill social withdrawal

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

Try: Find someone with good knowledge of spiritual beliefs who is available and willing to talk to the cr that individual could be you if you are comfortable discussing this topic or it could be someone else if you are not note this tip assumes that you are the one discussing spiritual confusion with the cr approach the cr with honesty and respect allow the cr the freedom to voice his or her spiritual confusion accept the cr cr’s feelings and validate his or her right to those feelings answer any questions honestly ask what would help the cr in his or her spiritual journey does the cr need to talk with a spiritual leader or mentor about personal beliefs then assist the cr in arranging whatever is needed to provide help validate that we are not meant to know all of the answers

Materials: n/a

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

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: Spiritual seeker spiritual exploration

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

Try: Try telling cr that you did not understand what he she said ask him her to say it again more slowly try using a consistent cue or gesture to let cr know you did not understand for example cup your hand over your ear as a reminder to speak louder allow time for cr to express him herself

Materials: n/a

Categories: Sage, Topic, Communication, Medical Physical, Social

Information: n/a

References: traumatic brain injury a guide for caregivers of service members and veterans – module 2 by the office of the u s surgeon general no date available at www traumaticbraininjuryatoz org

Keywords: Speech slurred communication

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