Try: Ask a social worker or counselor to visit with cr to help cr work through his her emotional issues involve friends or family in the discussion if requested by cr

Materials: n/a

Categories: Sage, Topic, Emotional Psychological, Personal

Information: n/a

References: caring for a person with alzheimer’s disease your easy-to-use guide from the national institute on aging by national institute on aging 2011 available at www nia nih gov

Keywords: Unresolved issue with family spiritual needs settling disputes conflict end of life wishes relationships

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

Try: Try physical contact, holding hands a touch or a gentle massage, to make cr feel connected to those he she loves it can be very soothing before touching cr care giver cg should warm his her own hands by rubbing them together or running them under warm water

Materials: n/a

Categories: Sage, Topic, Emotional Psychological

Information: n/a

References: caring for a person with alzheimer’s disease your easy-to-use guide from the national institute on aging by national institute on aging 2011 available at www nia nih gov

Keywords: Emotional comfort connecting with others bed bound can’t talk end of life care bed side manner death dying touch holding hands

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

Try: Here is a helpful list of suggestions to utilize when visiting an older adult either at home or in a residential setting bring photos of family and friends the photos could be either current or from the past bring along a small tape recorder and record the cr’s special memories or just catch up on family or community histories bring a current magazine or book to share with the cr try reading aloud something that would be interesting or funny bring along some greeting cards and stamps to help the cr keep in touch with out of town friends and family this could be much appreciated by a cr with limited vision or problems with arthritis that prevents writing pack a small picnic basket with colorful napkins and plates and share some simple snack items bring along a cd of favorite music comedies or old time radio programs and listen to them together bring a craft project or small puzzle and have fun working on it together bring along a recipe book and pick out an interesting recipe make the recipe and take it along on the next visit for you both to share if possible bring a pet or young children to visit with the cr keep a journal of the shared thoughts ideas and joys of each visit refer to the journal when you plan your next visit

Materials: n/a

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

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: Establish a regular sleep schedule going to bed and getting up at the same time reinforces natural circadian rhythms make sure the cr has a set bed time be smart about napping while taking a nap can be a great way to recharge especially for older adults it can make insomnia worse if insomnia is a problem for the cr consider eliminating napping set the mood reserve the bed for sleep and ban television and computers from the bedroom both are stimulating and may lead to difficulties falling asleep create a relaxing bedtime ritual take a hot bath do some light stretches write in a journal or dim the lights as it becomes habit the nightly ritual will send a powerful signal to the brain that it’s time for deep restorative sleep quiet the mind when stress anxiety or negative internal dialogues keep the cr awake get out of bed try reading or relaxing in another room for twenty minutes then hop back in

Materials: n/a

Categories: Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical

Information: n/a

References: Helpguide org

Keywords: Dementia dementia prevention sleep

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

Try: Call the national association of professional geriatric care managers at 1-520-881-8008 or visit their website at www caremanager org

Materials: Phone book or internet access

Categories: Sage, Topic, Emotional Psychological, Maintenance, Medical Physical, Personal, Mobility, Needs Some Assistance, Needs Much Assistance, Independence, No Supervision, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision, Vision, So-So Vision, Poor Vision, Hearing, So-So Hearing, Poor Hearing, Verbal Communication, So-So Verbal Comm, Cognitive Awareness, Somewhat Aware, Long-Term Memory, So-So L T Memory, Short-Term Memory, So-So S T Memory

Information: n/a

References: caring for a person with alzheimer’s disease your easy-to-use guide from the national institute on aging by national institute on aging 2011 available at www nia nih gov

Keywords: Geriatric care managers help at home getting needed services need professional care manager need community services community services

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

Try: Gather everything possible about cr’s income property investments insurance and savings put copies of legal documents and other important papers in one place tell a trusted family member or friend where cr keeps his her important papers if cr doesn’t have a relative or friend he she trusts ask a lawyer to help

Materials: n/a

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

Information: Check with your doctor local family service agencies and community mental health agencies for referrals to counselors

References: caring for a person with alzheimer’s disease your easy-to-use guide from the national institute on aging by national institute on aging 2011 available at www nia nih gov

Keywords: Finances legal documents affairs in order important documents

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

Try: Sorrow and grief are normal and natural responses to death encourage the cr to implement the following suggestions to help with the grieving process don’t let others tell you how to feel your grief is your own and no one else can tell you how to feel let your feelings go without feeling embarrassed or like you are being judged reach out to others who have lost pets check out online message boards pet loss hotlines and pet loss support groups create a legacy to celebrate the life of you animal companion for example prepare a memorial plant a tree in memory of your pet compile a photo album or scrapbook of your pet find other ways to share the memories you enjoyed with your pet with others take care of yourself the stress of losing a pet can quickly deplete your energy and emotional reserves eat a healthy diet get plenty of sleep and exercise regularly to release endorphins and help boost your mood if you have other pets try to maintain your normal routine surviving pets can also experience loss when a pet dies or they may become distressed by your sorrow focus on your other pets even while you grieve

Materials: n/a

Categories: Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical, Social

Information: n/a

References: Adapted from the internet website www helpguide org

Keywords: Grief pet loss

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

Try: The cr may be very attached to a pet and may not notice the animal suffering making a decision concerning euthanasia is often very difficult for pet owners unfortunately an elderly cr who is very attached to a pet and refuse to euthanize it when needed here are some suggestions that may help you assist the cr in making this difficult and important decision approach the cr with sensitivity and tact encourage the cr to consider the following factors in making a decision if a pet needs to be euthanized activity level is the pet as active as it used to be response to care and affection does the pet still interact and respond to love and care in the usual ways amount of pain and suffering is the pet experiencing pain and suffering which outweighs any pleasure and enjoyment in life terminal illness or critical injury does the pet have some type or impairing injury or illness the cr’s feelings how does the cr feel about euthanizing the pet the honest opinion and feelings of the cr cr’s family and friends after you and the cr have reviewed the above factors make a decision as to whether the pet needs to be euthanized this does not need to be a rushed decison but it should not be put off indefinitely either

Materials: n/a

Categories: Emotional Psychological, Personal

Information: n/a

References: Adapted from www helpguide org

Keywords: Pet loss euthanize

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

Try: Enjoyable activities can be beneficial to the cr cr’s overall health and well being a key aspect of healthy aging is the continuing ability to find meaning and joy in life as crs age activities that were previously enjoyed may no longer be available due to life changes for example the cr may retire from a career or children may move far away everyone has different ways of experiencing meaning and joy and the activities the cr enjoys may change over time here are some suggestions for activities that the cr may enjoy pick up a long-neglected hobby play with grandchildren or a favorite pet learn something new such as a musical instrument foreign language or new game get involved in the local community do volunteer work join a service organization and attend local events take a class at a local community college just for the fun of it go on a weekend trip to a place that has never been visited spend time in nature for example take a walk go fishing or enjoy a scenic view enjoy the arts for example visit a museum go to a concert or a play

Materials: n/a

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

Information: n/a

References: Adapted from the internet website www helpguide org

Keywords: Hobbies enjoyment things to do

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

Try: Connect regularly with friends and family have the cr spend time with people he enjoys and who make him feel good it may be a neighbor a lunch date with an old friend or shopping with family make an effort to make new friends as the cr loses people in his circle it is vital to make new connections make it a point to befriend people who are younger younger friends can reenergize the cr and help him see life from a fresh perspective spend time with at least one person every day the cr shouldn’t be alone day after day phone or email contact is not a replacement for spending time with other people volunteer in the community giving back to the community is a wonderful way to strengthen social bonds and meet others the meaning and purpose many people find in helping others will enrich and expand their lives volunteering is a natural way to meet others interested in similar activities or who share similar values find support groups in times of change if the cr or a loved one is coping with a chronic illness or recent loss it can be very helpful to participate in a support group with others undergoing the same challenges

Materials: n/a

Categories: Emotional Psychological, Personal, Social

Information: n/a

References: Helpguide org

Keywords: Socializing stay connected friends

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