Try: Play bingo play simple card games such as old maid and go fish the cr may really enjoy these games even though they seem mundane and boring to you the important thing is for the cr to have fun and for you to have an opportunity to interact with him or her try reading to the cr aloud from a favotite book magazine or newspaper if the cr wants to discuss something as you read stop to do so it may be the start of a very good conversation get out photo albums of the cr at a younger ager and go through them with him or her often the cr cr’s memory of those early years is better than the later ones the cr may enjoy reminiscing and talking with you about the photes cook a simple dish together with the cr have all of the ingredients already measured out ahead of time and do it one step at a time stop if cr gets too tired or overwhelmed and continue the next day when you and the cr are done cooking you can eat the meal together with others the cr may feel proud of helping prepare it suggest that you and the cr do household chores together this may help the cr feel wanted and useful some suggestions include raking leaves washing dishes putting dishes in the dishwasher or taking them out doing laundry folding clean laundry weeding the garden watering the plants sweeping vacuuming dusting cleaning the sinks and bathrooms

Materials: Simple games like bingo playing cards large print cards might be helpful simple card games like old maid and go fish books magazines and newspapers photo albums of the cr at a younger age with family and friends

Categories: Emotional Psychological, Social, Fully Aware

Information: n/a

References: Adapted from www care com caring for seniors with alzheimer alzheimer’s disease by staff writer no date

Keywords: Activities memories home interactions feeling useless pride proud

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

Try: Let the cr express his or her feelings do not force the cr to talk if he or she is not ready encourage the cr to identify any concrete causes for the feelings actively listen and try to understand what cr is saying and feeling provide support and encouragement make sure the cr knows that it is normal for him or her to experience these feelings from time to time avoid telling the cr how he or she should feel try to reason with the cr and change his or her thinking and attitude about what is feared for example what is the likelihood that what you fear will actually happen in some cases the cr may be worrying obsessively about something unnecessarily what if it does happen is it going to be the end of the world in some cases the actual outcome of something bad happening is not nearly as devastating as the cr imagines it the bad thing that is feared may have become larger than life in the mind of the cr the more the cr dwells on it the worse it becomes avoid assuming that it is your fault if the cr is feeling depressed avoid feeling that you must cheer the cr up in order to be helpful encourage the cr to participate in an exercise regimen encourage the cr to use relaxation techniques

Materials: n/a

Categories: Emotional Psychological, Fully Aware, Somewhat Aware

Information: n/a

References: Adapted from www netofcare org symptom management at home by staff writer no date

Keywords: Trembles trembling shakes anxiety anxious nervous doom sad gloomy

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

Try: Avoid force feeding the cr try not to get angry if the cr does not want to eat try to prevent early feelings of fullness by serving the cr beverages between meals offer the cr frequent high protein high calorie snacks such as pudding ice cream and milk shakes encourage cr to do some light exercise or walking before meals serve a glass of wine before meals to stimulate the cr cr’s appetite encourage the cr to eat meals at the table with others try serving the cr meals over a prolonged period of time in a relaxed environment cover up unpleasant odors prepare the cr’s familiar favorite foods try new spices or flavorings for foods place meals on smaller plates with smaller servings serve smaller meals more frequently throughout the day rather than a smaller number of large meals suggest that the cr try to eat more slowly and avoid too many vegetables and carbonated drinks

Materials: n/a

Categories: Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical, Personal, So-So Smelling, Poor Smelling, So-So Taste, Poor Taste

Information: n/a

References: Adapted from www netofcare org symptom management at home by staff writer no date

Keywords: Appetite weight loss not hungry losing weight

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

Try: Try replacing lost fluids and nutrients by offering cr clear liquids often and in-between meals the clear liquid intake should be 2-3-quarts per day examples of clear liquids are water broth and clear juices try serving the cr foods low in fiber and high in potassium and protein for example eggs bananas applesauce mashed potatoes rice and dry toast try serving the cr many small meals throughout the day rather than three big meals avoid serving the cr foods that may increase bloating such as vegetables beans and fruits avoid serving the cr fatty or acidic foods such as fatty meat fried food and spicy food try to limit cr’s caffeine intake from coffee tea soda with caffeine and chocolate avoid serving the cr dairy or milk products

Materials: n/a

Categories: Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical, Personal

Information: n/a

References: Adapted from www netofcare org symptom management at home by staff writer no date

Keywords: Diarrhea stomach ache gastrointestinal fecal

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

Try: Remain calm stay with the cr and offer reassurance suggest that the cr stay in bed and rest raise the head of the bed or add pillows to position cr’s head in an upright position increase the air circulation in the room with a fan or air conditioner use a fan to create a light breeze in cr’s face encourage deep breathing or other relaxation techniques use a room humidifier or vaporizer to help loosen secretions

Materials: Fan air conditioner humidifier or vaporizer extra pillows

Categories: Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical

Information: n/a

References: Adapted from www netofcare org symptom management at home by staff writer no date

Keywords: Breathing anxious anxiety stress

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

Try: Encourage cr to express his or her feelings try to redirect cr to more positive thoughts encourage cr to spend time with others and take part in activities try to help cr to set realistic attainable goals help him or her choose activities that can be successfully completed

Materials: n/a

Categories: Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical, Personal

Information: n/a

References: Adapted from www traumaticbraininjuryatoz org 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

Keywords: Self-esteem negative pesimistic

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

Try: Try to help cr recognize and acknowledge problems that he or she is worried about use problem solving techniques to address them this can help put the issue into perspective suggest that cr write things down or keep a journal sometimes this alone can have a calming influence and slow down racing and nervous thoughts try to change the topic or focus of interest to something else search the internet or library to find relaxation or controlled breathing exercises that the cr can do practice these exercises with the cr

Materials: Pen notebook or blank journal

Categories: Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical

Information: n/a

References: Adapted from www traumaticbraininjuryatoz org 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

Keywords: Anxious anxiety worry worries jumpy mind races fidgets fidgety nervous paces pacing insomnia sleep problems

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

Try: Always take the cr’s threats of suicide seriously remove or secure any available firearms and other dangerous objects ask the cr if he or she is having suicidal thoughts if the cr says yes ask him or her if there is a specific plan to carry it out if there is a plan you need to intervene and get help very quickly know the signs of suicide and be on the lookout for them these include making a will taking steps to get affairs in order giving away personal possessions sudden requests to visit friends purchasing a gun or stockpiling medications a sudden and significant decline or improvement in mood writing a suicide note if you suspect that the cr is thinking about committing suicide call 911 immediately or take the cr to the closest hospital

Materials: n/a

Categories: Sage, Topic, Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical

Information: n/a

References: Adapted from www traumaticbraininjuryatoz org 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

Keywords: Suicide taking own life depression

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

Try: Try allowing cr to try to do something that he she thinks he she can do but that may be beyond his her capabilities the goal is to raise cr’s awareness through real trial and error situations work with cr to use effective problem solving techniques give cr realistic and supportive feedback help to set realistic goals develop plans to take steps towards larger goals use a memory notebook to track cr’s progress and setbacks

Materials: Pen notebook

Categories: Sage, Topic, Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical, Personal, Sexuality Intimacy, Social, 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: 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: Self awareness unrealistic

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

Try: Offer cr emotional support understanding patience and encouragement remind cr that depression usually fades with time and treatment talk to cr and listen carefully acknowledge cr’s feelings point out realities and offer hope get cr involved in activities outside the house for example walks shopping movies church services volunteering if he she declines keep making gentle suggestions but don’t insist

Materials: n/a

Categories: Sage, Topic, Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical

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: Hopelessness negativity depressed sad anxious initiative motivation guilt worthlessness anger insomnia sleep problems

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