Try: Be creative and think out of the box as you look for new and fun ways to get the cr engaged in activities don’t feel constrained by what the cr has enjoyed in the past if the cr has physical or cognitive challenges provide him or her with a task or activity that can be performed this may boost the cr cr’s confidence and generate some interest in the activity it is more important for the cr to be engaged in some activity regardless of what it is rather than unengaged even if the task or activity seems mundane to you give it a try with the cr for example sorting socks may seem boring to you but may provide an interesting and fun activity for the cr look or activities that provide you with opportunities for social interaction with the cr provide the cr with old photos or keepsakes that may help revive interest in activities previously enjoyed you may find that the cr is more easily engaged with memories of the past than things of the present examples of ways to re-kindle the cr cr’s interest in activities previously enjoyed give the cr old photos to look through sort and put in a photo album or scrapbook the photos may revive the cr cr’s memories of activities previously enjoyed ask the cr for help in the garden if the cr is physically unable to do heavy manual work in the garden provide him or her with an easier task to perform and ask for advice with the garden project ask the cr to chop vegetables for a salad it is important that the cr feel needed and be engaged in whatever tasks can be performed despite physical or cognitive challenges ask the cr to go to the supermarket with you to help pick out produce especially if cr has a lot of knowledge on how to select the best fruits and vegetables encourage the cr to play a musical instrument that he or she knows how to play pulling out the cr cr’s old violin may generate some interest you may want to consider teaching the cr how to play a new musical instrument there are many easy-to-play instruments available such as electronic keyboards electronic drum sets kazoos bells rhythm instruments ukulele and so on

Materials: n/a

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

Information: n/a

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

Keywords: Interests home interactions activities hobbies

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

Try: If cr is too busy suggest that he she try saying something like i can’t commit to this as i have other priorities at the moment this lets the person know cr’s plate is full at the moment so the other person should hold off on this as well as future requests if it makes it easier cr can also share what he she is working on so the person can understand better if cr is right in the middle of something and gets a sudden request he she could try saying something like now’s not a good time as i’m in the middle of something how about we reconnect at x time if cr doesn’t want to be rude he she could say no on a positive way for example cr could say i’d love to do this but _____ if cr is interested in doing something but doesn’t want to say yes right now he she could say let me think about it first and i’ll get back to you if someone is pitching a deal opportunity which isn’t what cr is looking for for example an investment opportunity cr could say something like this doesn’t meet my needs now but i’ll be sure to keep you in mind if cr is being asked for something say money and doesn’t have it or doesn’t want to give it he she could try saying something like i’m not the best person to help on this why don’t you try x if cr doesn’t want to do something enourage him her to just say no i can’t cr would be surprised at how easy this is and other people’s reactions are generally not that negative after a while the other person will probably stip asking

Materials: n/a

Categories: Sage, Topic, Emotional Psychological, Financial, Legal, Medical Physical, Personal, Social

Information: With the claims medicare processed to make sure he she or medicare weren’t billed for services or items he she didn’t get encourage cr to check his her receipts and statements early , the sooner cr sees and reports errors the sooner they can be corrected or fraud can be stopped

References: 7 simple ways to say no by celestine chua 2010 available at www zenhabits net

Keywords: No manipulated taken advantage of family conflict

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

Try: Try offering to help cr find the misplaced item have more than one of same object learn favorite hiding places avoid arguing or trying to reason with cr instead try to distract him her and do not take cr’s accusations or paranoia personally try introducing yourself to the cr and explain why you are there on a regular basis draw on old memory connections and avoid arduing with or quizzing cr try to reassure cr provide familiar objects maintain stable and consistent routine try to encourage cr to get out of the house go for a walk or do some yard work provide or suggest familiar social opportunities

Materials: n/a

Categories: Sage, Topic, Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical, Personal, 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: If it is pertinent if he she repeats the information it is best not to say anything about it cr may only feel embarrassed and frustrated unnecessarily if cr hears better when others talk louder this may mean cr has a hearing loss try suggesting to cr that he she get a hearing aid if cr already has one check the batteries and make sure the hearing aid is fitted right in cr’s ear

References: managing difficult behavior by northwestern university feinberg school of medicine 2002 available at www brain northwestern edu

Keywords: Suspicious suspects paranoid memory loss afraid

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

Try: Encourage cr to set limits he she can live with and enforce them encourage cr to inform the adult child of these limits and follow through with his her rules encourage cr to say no when needed cr does not have to explain why sometimes it is necessary to say no for the safety and well-being of oneself and others who are involved suggest that cr learn to let go remind cr that his her adult child is just that – an adult the choices he she has made are his her own suggest that cr have written guidelines or a contract verbal communication can be forgotten misunderstood or distorted by writing out the rules everyone knows where they stand and what they agreed to

Materials: Paper pen or computer and printer

Categories: Sage, Topic, Emotional Psychological, Financial, Legal, Personal, Social

Information: If it is pertinent if he she repeats the information it is best not to say anything about it cr may only feel embarrassed and frustrated unnecessarily if cr hears better when others talk louder this may mean cr has a hearing loss try suggesting to cr that he she get a hearing aid if cr already has one check the batteries and make sure the hearing aid is fitted right in cr’s ear

References: dealing with your adult child by amy griswold 2012 available at www urbanext illinois edu

Keywords: Adult children son daughter family conflict manipulative bossy uses grandchildren

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

Try: Suggest that cr try stretching and strengthening exercises also exercise such as swimming in warm water can help loosen the muscles that cause headaches ask cr to lie down in a dark and quiet place; sleep can relieve a headache try using heat or ice packs encourage cr to avoid bright sunlight; especially going from a dark building into bright sunlight may need to wear very dark sunglasses encourage cr to avoid alcohol encourage cr to avoid foods that trigger headaches these include cold foods aged hard cheeses or chocolate help cr manage stress for example suggest that cr take breaks during activities practice deep breathing exercises exercise and have some fun suggest that cr keep track of headaches in a journal note the time of day the activity and intensity of the pain remind cr to bring this

Materials: Heating pad ice pack paper and pen very dark sunglasses

Categories: Sage, Topic, Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical

Information: With him her to medical appointments suggest that cr take medications at the same time every day

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: Headaches migraines stress

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

Try: Gradually transition into the time change to minimize the impact of the switch to daylight saving time make gradual adjustments have the cr go to bed 15 minutes early starting several days before the change make an extra effort to be well-rested the week before the time change give yourself a sleep break after the time change if you feel sleepy after the change to daylight saving time take a short nap in the afternoon but not too close to bedtime avoid sleeping in an hour longer in the mornings know how much sleep you need not everyone requires the same amount of sleep to be well-rested and sleep requirements can change with age to find your ideal number of hours sleep without an alarm on weekends and see when you wake up naturally keep regular sleep hours go to bed and wake up at the same time each day this helps your body regulate its sleep pattern and get the most out of the hours you sleep if possible try to wake up at the same time on the weekends too which makes monday mornings easier to bear you can also see how a nap affects your sleep quality for some napping can make it harder to sleep but for others a short nap 20 minutes can be revitalizing without ruining their night night’s sleep get some exercise during the day even moderate exercise such as walking can help you sleep better only exercise if the cr is able but avoid exercise within three hours of bedtime

Materials: n/a

Categories: Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical

Information: n/a

References: Webmd com

Keywords: Daylight savings adjust sleep

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

Try: Try creating a home environment that is simple orderly and predictable yet also allows freedom of movement the more variability in cr cr’s surroundings the more likely it is that he she will become confused and disoriented try modifying one room or a portion of a room to fit the needs of cr as an orientation area this helps create simplicity and order in the home environment this orientation area should be centrally located and easily accessible items essential to cr for daily living activities such as eyeglasses keys and writing accessories might be placed in this area thus the orientation area can serve as a focal location in which cr can find orientation clues specific

Materials: Pen paper tape adhesive labels calendar small chalkboard marker board digital clock small bulletin board

Categories: Sage, Topic, Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical, 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 items needed in the course of a day try putting a clock perhaps digital a calendar and a bulletin board or slate in the room to provide a means for keeping track of the time and important messages try using a daily schedule of activities for cr and his her family members post it in the room to help cr remember what appointments or activities are scheduled and where family members are at all times try putting labeled pictures of family members close friends or pets in cr’s special area room to help him her associate names with faces such as brother john ; our cat sigmund this may also help cr stay connected and tuned in to his her life try labeling drawers closets or rooms in other parts of cr’s home to create structure and help keep cr oriented as to what and where things are this may decrease his her confusion try to avoid changing the arrangement of furniture color schemes or anything else that will reduce familiarity of the surroundings try to make sure that frequently used areas such as the bathroom and hallways are well lit at night try to keep the bedroom located as close to the bathroom as possible and have conspicuous cues directing cr to the bathroom for example you might try putting a sign on the bathroom door that says bathroom

References: northwestern offers great alzheimer alzheimer’s tips by web contributor no date available at www lifetips com

Keywords: Disoriented disorientation confused confusion lost forgets memory loss

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

Try: Try tom focus on what happens like falling and talk to cr about prevention for example this rug seems to be a tripping hazard why don’t we remove it try to remember that cr may not experience the changes to his her abilities the way that you do it may not be possible or necessary for you to convince cr of his her disabilities try asking a close friend of cr’s or someone cr really trusts to read up on cr’s condition and get some easy to read brochures or factsheets and have them share this

Materials: Brochures factsheets on cr’s condition

Categories: Sage, Topic, Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical, 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: With cr sometimes information is taken more seriously when it comes from someone outside the family

References: a caregiver’s guide to huntington’s disease by huntington’s disease society of america 2011 available at www hdsa org

Keywords: Denial denies unaware unawareness self-awareness

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

Try: Encourage the cr to implement the following strategies to improve sleep quality avoid naps during the day if a nap is needed limit the amount of time exercise on a regular basis however avoid late night exercise if there are things that you need to do or are worried about write them down early in the evening so you can go to bed with a clear head avoid caffeine especially late in the day avoid late night meals avoid late night alcohol try to relax and unwind before going to bed wait until you are tired before going to bed avoid falling asleep in front of the tv and then going to bed after you wake up do not watch tv or use your computer in bed or during the night keep your bedroom dark and quiet hide the clock so you can’t see it in bed if you can’t sleep get out of bed and read in a quiet setting with low light drink some warm milk and eat some cookies write down things that you will need to do or remember in the morning you may even need to do some work until you get sleepy and can go back to bed however try not to get in the habit of doing this try to maintain a regular sleeping schedule by going to bed and getting up at approximately the same time every day not sleeping in to any great extent on weekends or days off work setting an alarm to make sure you get up at a specific time and do not oversleep

Materials: n/a

Categories: Emotional Psychological, Personal

Information: n/a

References: Adapted from a handout provided by the carle physician group department of pulmonary medicine in urbana illinois;

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: Break down big tasks into small chunks if you have a big thing to work on break it down into a number of small easily manageable steps and also decide the order in which you want to complete them you can start with the most important task and end with the least important one regular breaks for concentration problems take short breaks while studying working or doing anything that requires your undivided attention after a long period of work you are likely to feel physically as well as mentally drained change your breathing pattern when you are about to start a new project or learn something new change your breathing pattern take slow deep breaths instead of rapid shallow breaths reward yourself when you solve concentration problems before you start working decide how you like to reward yourself after you finish the work when you have a reward to look forward to you will stay motivated and focused and finish the task no matter how tedious it is eat healthy to reduce concentration problems eat a healthy well-balanced diet limit your intake of dense fatty foods that make you feel sluggish and drowsy avoid sugary snacks as sudden rise and fall in blood sugar levels can negatively affect your concentration improve brain function you can improve your brain function sharpen your memory and increase your attention span by playing strategy-based games like chess poker and monopoly and board games

Materials: n/a

Categories: Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical

Information: n/a

References: Memoryandconcentration com

Keywords: Concentration focus memory

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