Try: Suggest that cr try creating a worry period choose a set time and place for worrying it should be the same every day for example in the living room from 5 00 to 5 20 p m and early enough that it won’t make cr anxious right before bedtime during cr’s worry period cr is allowed to worry about whatever’s on his her mind the rest of the day however is a worry-free zone suggest that cr try to postpone worrying for example if an anxious thought or worry comes into cr’s head during the day suggest that cr make a brief note of it on paper and postpone thinking about it until his her designated worry period cr should try to remind him herself that he she will have time to think about it later so there’s no need to worry about it right now save it for later and continue to go about the day suggest that cr go over his her worry list during the worry period reflect on the worries written down during the day if the thoughts are still bothering cr suggest that cr allow him herself to worry about them but only for the amount of time he she has specified for his her worry period if the worries don’t seem important any more suggest that cr cut his her worry period short and enjoy the rest of the day

Materials: Paper pen

Categories: Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical, Personal

Information: n/a

References: how to stop worrying self-help strategies for anxiety relief by melinda smith robert segal and jeanne segal 2012 available at www helpguide org

Keywords: Worry anxiety stress can’t sleep mind races

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

Try: If a worry pops into cr’s head suggest that cr start by asking him herself whether the problem is something he she can actually solve the following questions can help cr figure this out is the problem something you’re currently facing rather than an imaginary what-if if the problem is an imaginary what-if how likely is it to happen is your concern realistic can you do something about the problem or prepare for it or is it out of your control remind cr that productive solvable worries are those he she can take action on right away for example if cr is worried about his her bills cr could call his her creditors to see about flexible payment options help cr understand that unproductive unsolvable worries are those for which there is no corresponding action for example what if i get cancer someday or what if my kid gets into an accident if the worry is solvable suggest that cr start brainstorming cr could make a list of all the possible solutions he she can think of remind cr to try not to get too hung up on finding the perfect solution he she should try to focus on the things he she has the power to change rather than the circumstances or realities beyond his her control after cr has evaluated his her options make a plan of action once the cr has a plan and starts doing something about the problem he she will feel much less worried

Materials: n/a

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

Information: n/a

References: how to stop worrying self-help strategies for anxiety relief by melinda smith robert segal and jeanne segal 2012 available at www helpguide org

Keywords: Worry worries anxiety anxious stress problem solving

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

Try: Assure health and safety 24 hours per day consider in-home care or alternative residential settings instead of offering overall help – or asking if cr wants help – offer to assist with a specific part of a task at the time that cr is doing it without calling attention to help being given if cr is refusing caregivers frame caregivers who are coming to offer outside help as friendly visitors instead of paid help it may encounter less resistance – have a trusted person introduce them consider ways cr got accepted help previously use those avenues to deliver e g clergy congregation family friends maids etc monitor refrigerator and grocery supplies for outdated or inappropriate food discreetly discar

Materials: n/a

Categories: Sage, Topic, Emotional Psychological, Maintenance, Medical Physical, Personal, 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: planning guide for dementia care at home a reference tool for care managers by the alzheimer’s association, south central wisconsin chapter the wisconsin alzheimer’s institute and the wisconsin bureau of aging and long term care resources division of disability and elder services department of health and family services 2004 available at www dhs wisconsin gov

Keywords: Refuses help impaired judgement stubborn doesn’t want help memory loss

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

Try: Encourage cr to be proactive and reach out and try very hard not to dwell on what are really the shortcomings of others who will never understand cr’s new life if those cr reaches out to shy away encourage cr to look for new friends new groups new leisure activities within the realm of his her abilities encourage cr to avoid isolation for each of us there there’s a need to have outside contact with people outside the world of our situation unfortunately it may not come knocking at cr’s door cr has to seek it out and create it for him herself and his her sanity

Materials: n/a

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

Information: n/a

References: stroke caregiver’s handbook by joyce dreslin no date available at www strokesafe org

Keywords: Isolation abandonment friends feel uncomfortable friends stop coming over friends stop visiting social activities socialization emotional well being

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

Try: Suggest that cr eat high-fiber foods and drink plenty of liquids encourage cr to exercise try adding bran when cooking or baking 1 – 2 tablespoons of bran for each cup of flour suggest that cr drink hot beverages which act as stimulants

Materials: High fiber foods nran

Categories: Sage, Topic, Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical

Information: n/a

References: caregiver’s handbook by the caregiver education and support services seniors counseling and training case management services of the san diego county mental health services no date available at www acsu buffalo edu

Keywords: Constipation bowels diet exercise hydration dehydrated

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

Try: Suggest that cr eat small meals frequently drink clear liquids avoid high fiber and greasy foods replace fluid loss with liquids between meals

Materials: n/a

Categories: Sage, Topic, Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical

Information: n/a

References: caregiver’s handbook by the caregiver education and support services seniors counseling and training case management services of the san diego county mental health services no date available at www acsu buffalo edu

Keywords: Diarrhea stomach problems runny stools digestive digestion hydration dehydrated

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

Try: Suggest that cr avoid unpleasant odors eat small meals frequently chew slowly and thoroughly sip cool clear liquids between meals rest after meals with head elevated avoid hot spicy strong-smelling foods or fried greasy foods try foods which are cold or at room temperature and low-fat food eat dry or salty food try fresh air and loose clothing

Materials: n/a

Categories: Sage, Topic, Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical

Information: n/a

References: caregiver’s handbook by the caregiver education and support services seniors counseling and training case management services of the san diego county mental health services no date available at www acsu buffalo edu

Keywords: Nausea vomiting digestion digestive hydration queezy

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

Try: Try to relax yourself and enjoy the time spent with cr check gums for areas of redness dentures may not fit correctly and cause cr pain when chewing provide adaptive equipment such as plate guards or special silverware with built-up handles these can be purchased from medical supply houses listed under hospital equipment and supplies in the yellow pages encourage cr to use a straw cups with 2 handles or a glass with ribbed surface for independent drinking if cr has limited vision consistent place setting of food and utensils helps to know where to find silverware beverage etc using the clock method to locate food may be helpful; for example your meat is at 9 o’clock your potato is at 12 o’clock and your carrots are at 3 o’clock always remember to treat cr as an adult not as a child disciplining poor eating habits should be avoided when cr lacks interest in food try to learn the reason for example ask cr if he she is thirsty or not feeling well or if the food is not appetizing on this occasion

Materials: Adaptive equipment such as plate guards or special silverware with built-up handles phone book straw cups with 2 handles or a glass with ribbed surface

Categories: Sage, Topic, Emotional Psychological, Maintenance, Medical Physical, Mobility, Mobile, Needs Some Assistance, Needs Much Assistance, Independence, 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: n/a

References: caregiver’s handbook by the caregiver education and support services seniors counseling and training case management services of the san diego county mental health services no date available at www acsu buffalo edu

Keywords: Eating independence feeding fed vision visually impaired low vision clock method

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

Try: Adapt the home to allow cr to do more things install equipment such as grab rails in the bathroom wheelchair-accessible sinks and mirrors bath bench for the shower or tub and lights with switches that can be easily reached seek the aid of materials for care givers available on the internet authored by therapists or nurses that will teach you how to perform personal care tasks safely and effectively learn about cr cr’s disability and what you and others can do to help him her function as independently as possible if cr cannot perform a certain activity see if there is a part that can be done for example cr might be able to independently dress the upper body if sitting but require help dressing the lower body whenever possible include cr in making plans for his her care take suggestions and feelings into consideration and encourage involvement in his her own care sometimes slowing the pace of an activity may allow cr to do more for by him herself be aware of changes in cr cr’s health and abilities your plans for care will change as cr changes

Materials: Grab rails for bathroom wheelchair-accessible sinks and mirrors bath bench for shower or tub lights with switches internet access

Categories: Sage, Topic, Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical, Personal, Mobility, Mobile, Needs Some Assistance, Needs Much Assistance, Independence, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision, Vision, So-So Vision, Poor Vision, 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: n/a

References: caregiver’s handbook by the caregiver education and support services seniors counseling and training case management services of the san diego county mental health services no date available at www acsu buffalo edu

Keywords: Independence accessibility reaching wheelchair home adaptions showering bathing self care encouraging independence

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

Try: Suggest that cr continue to pursue activities and social contacts outside the home encourage cr to do what he she enjoys for example this might be going to a movie playing a musical instrument or getting together with friends for a card game it may not be easy to schedule these activities but the rewards for having balance in cr’s life are great

Materials: n/a

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

Information: n/a

References: caregiver’s handbook by the caregiver education and support services seniors counseling and training case management services of the san diego county mental health services no date available at www acsu buffalo edu

Keywords: Self esteem feels down depressed depression gratitude activities enjoyment

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