Try: Show empathy cr may be trying to maintain an illusion of independence by exerting one of his her remaining powers that of using the word no express that you understand and appreciate that it it’s difficult to need help be creative call an aide a housekeeper find a personal assistant who also does hair and pitch her services through that description get a persuasive third party involved cr may ignore your help but listen to the appeals of a neighbor friend clergyperson or more senior relative extol the benefits help cr get past viewing help as being symbolic of loss by talking up what he she will gain if you let me automate your bills you’ll probably make fewer errors and have more time for things you like to do like reading or if an aide helps you with bathing we won’t argue so much over the way i do it and that that’s a big plus for both of us

Materials: n/a

Categories: Sage, Topic, Emotional Psychological, Mobility, Needs Some Assistance, Independence, Some Supervision

Information: n/a

References: Adapted from www caring com how to handle difficult behaviors by f paula spencer scott no date

Keywords: Help bullhead bullheaded stubborn stubbornness

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

Try: Ask cr these questions about insomnia to help you identify the problem have you been feeling sad or despondent when did you start to have trouble sleeping what time do you go to sleep each night how many times each night do you have to get out of bed to go to the toilet if waking to use the bathroom is the cause cut back on liquids for three hours before bedtime avoid caffeine which stimulates the bladder keep the path to the bathroom lit with nightlights — so it it’s illuminated enough for safety without the full-on brightness of overhead lighting which can disrupt the ability to return to sleep

Materials: n/a

Categories: Sage, Topic, Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical

Information: n/a

References: Adapted from www caring com how to handle difficult behaviors by f paula spencer scott no date

Keywords: Sleep walking up at night insomnia sleep

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

Try: Make sure cr has plenty of opportunities for social outings it it’s easy to become a shut-in — and therefore appear apathetic — when cr lacks transportation or when friends no longer call because they’ve moved died or are also suffering from health problems also be aware that some older adults lose interest in former activities because they can no longer participate in them the same way for example an artist may not want to paint anymore if holding a brush is painful or the results aren’t as satisfying try to modify activities according to cr’s ability if you can or introduce related hobbies or outings that are more manageable visiting an art museum helping kids with art if there are opportunities but cr doesn’t want to partake — ever — be sure to look at possible underlying causes like poor diet low fluid intake memory loss or depression

Materials: n/a

Categories: Sage, Topic, Emotional Psychological, 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: Adapted from www caring com how to handle difficult behaviors by f paula spencer scott no date

Keywords: Apaethetic initiative motivation isolated

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

Try: Focus on what cr likes to eat rather than your idea of perfect nutrition changing taste buds may make foods seem particularly bland unless there are strong medical reasons for a specific diet once someone reaches a certain age and is losing weight it it’s usually more important that he or she eats for pleasure and gets enough calories make available a variety of reasonably healthful high-calorie choices such as puddings shakes smoothies and cereal season liberally with herbs and other flavorings to make foods more enticing avoid nagging making a big deal about eating only sets up a battle of wills serve micro-meals throughout the day rather than the big three cr may not feel like eating much at a single meal try to keep in mind that some older adults forget to eat because of memory problems

Materials: n/a

Categories: Sage, Topic, Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical, Short-Term Memory, So-So S T Memory, Poor S T Memory

Information: n/a

References: Adapted from www caring com how to handle difficult behaviors by f paula spencer scott no date

Keywords: Finicky eating

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

Try: Enlist peer pressure it works at any age the more cr sees others especially those perceived as peers or younger using assistive devices the more normal they appear arrange chance encounters with a dapper active respected friend of roughly the same age that use a cane even watching movies set in locations when canes are commonplace lots of foreign movies set in europe for example can have a positive subliminal effect talk up the benefits canes and walkers are seen as symbols of disability remind cr that they actually promote movement which will increase the odds of better mobility over time they also reduce the odds of a fall — which can cause serious injury and further limit mobility look for non-institutional models many men prefer a sturdy stylish wooden cane to an aluminum model for example walkers also come in a variety of types; search online for walker or look at medical equipment companies try compromising maybe cr will use a walker in certain circumstances shopping but prefers to lean on a companion companion’s arm in others church supply the device wordlessly rather than nagging get your cane just provide it consider having a third party such as a physical therapist or doctor lay out the costs of ignoring a cane or walker

Materials: n/a

Categories: Sage, Topic, Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical, Mobility, Needs Some Assistance, Needs Much Assistance

Information: n/a

References: Adapted from www caring com how to handle difficult behaviors by f paula spencer scott no date

Keywords: Walker cane

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

Try: Address potential triggers offer cr a snack a glass of water or use of the bathroom encourage physical activity to curb restlessness and promote better sleep if you think cr is looking for something familiar provide a family photo album or share favorite memories provide visual cues cr may have forgotten where he she is even inside his her own homes it might help to post descriptive signs on the doors to various rooms such as the bathroom bedroom and kitchen encourage cr to explore his her immediate environment as often as necessary plan activities and other distractions if cr tends to wander at the same time every day a planned activity at that hour could stem the wandering it might be as simple as asking cr to fold a basket of towels or put place mats on the table for dinner if wandering outdoors is an issue try storing coats boots and keys out of sight

Materials: Descriptive signs

Categories: Sage, Topic, Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical, Independence, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision, 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: n/a

References: Adapted from www mayoclinic comalzheimer comalzheimer’s understand and control wandering by staff writer 2010

Keywords: Wandering wanders distracted distractions forgets forgetfulness memory loss

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

Try: Include photos and anything important in cr’s new room make sure the shower is safe add grab bars obtain help early – check out your community resources make sure you have financial and medical authorizations in place install tamper-free locks on all exit doors seniorize you home for safety let your friends and family know invite people over – don’t isolate check out adult day care in your community remember to exercise and take care of yourself join a support group or support community

Materials: Important favorite photos grab bars tamper-free door lock

Categories: Sage, Topic, Emotional Psychological, Financial, Maintenance, Medical Physical, Personal, Mobility, Needs Some Assistance, Needs Much Assistance, Immobile, Independence, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision, 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: n/a

References: Adapted from www forums webmd com when someone with alzheimer’s moves in with you 11 ways to prepare by judith l london 2012

Keywords: Moving in

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

Try: Encourage cr to share his her feelings and ask how you can be supportive encourage cr to stay involved in activities he she enjoys help cr locate a support group for people who have memory loss

Materials: n/a

Categories: Sage, Topic, Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical, 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: Adapted from www alz org early-stage caregiving by staff writer no date

Keywords: Embarrassed memory loss forgetful forgets remembering

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

Try: Try substituting an activity for a behavior for example if cr rubs his her hand on a table provide a cloth and encourage cr to wipe the table or if cr is moving his her feet on the floor play some music so he she can tap to the beat this may also work for pacing behavior perhaps some music will inspire cr to dance

Materials: Table cloth music

Categories: Sage, Topic, Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical, Independence, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision, 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: n/a

References: Adapted from www alz org activities by staff writer no date

Keywords: Fidgets fidgety anxious paced pacing

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

Try: Encourage cr to always warm up before beginning his her exercise routine and cool down at the end if cr plans to work out for 30 minutes suggest that cr start with 10-minute sessions and work his her way up suggest that cr try swimming and water aerobics these exercises are often easier on the joints and require less balance encourage cr to work out in a safe environment; avoid slippery floors poor lighting throw rugs and other potential dangers if cr has difficulty maintaining his her balance suggest that cr exercise within reach of a grab bar or rail if cr has trouble standing or getting up suggest that cr try to exercise on the bed rather than on the floor or an exercise mat if at any time cr feels sick or he she begins to hurt encourage cr to stop the activity encourage cr to select a hobby or activity he she enjoys and stick with it some suggestions include gardening walking swimming water aerobics yoga and tai chi

Materials: Exercise mat

Categories: Sage, Topic, Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical

Information: Encourage cr to eat plenty of fruits vegetables and whole grains these are great sources of fiber which can help curb constipation suggest that cr drink enough water or other fluids throughout each day encourage cr to stay physically active

References: Adapted from www webmd com alzheimer alzheimer’s disease and exercise by jon glass 2012

Keywords: Exercise physically active

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