Try: Dress in your favorite football team team’s color pop popcorn name the presidents give a manicure make paper butterflies plant a tree make a may basket make homemade applesauce finish famous sayings feed the ducks mold with play dough look at pictures in national geographic

Materials: Popcorn nail polish nail file paper scissors paint basket apples pot bowl vegetable fruit peeler bread play dough national geographic magazine

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

Information: n/a

References: eldercare skill builders 1998 available at

Keywords: Activities bored anxious paces pacing isolation depression mood

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

Try: Put a puzzle together sand wood rub in hand lotion decorate paper placemats arrange fresh flowers remember famous people straighten out underwear drawer finish nursery rhymes make peanut butter sandwiches wipe off patio furniture cut up used paper for scratch paper take care of fish tank

Materials: Puzzles sand paper wooded surface piece of wood hand lotion placemats felt glue needle and thread scissors fresh flowers and vase nursery rhymes book peanut butter and jelly bread old towel bucket of water

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

Information: n/a

References: eldercare skill builders 1998 available at

Keywords: Activities bored anxious paces pacing isolation depression mood

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

Try: Trace and cut out leaves ask simple trivia questions finish bible quotes paint with string read classic short stories put coins in a jar sew sewing cards put bird feed out for the birds clean out a pumpkin reminisce about a favorite summer roll yarn into a ball make a birthday cake

Materials: Pen or pencil paper leaves tracing paper bible paint set string book of classic short stories or tape cd jar and coins sewing card kit bird seed and feeder pumpkin knife and large spoon yarn cake mix and supplies cake pan cake decorating supplies

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

Information: n/a

References: eldercare skill builders 1998 available at

Keywords: Activities bored anxious paces pacing isolation depression mood

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

Try: Discourage the use of sleeping pills on a regular basis taking sleeping pills every day can cause unwanted sleepiness throughout the day and lethargy plan ways to promote a good night night’s sleep with the cr that do not include the use of medication put the new sleeping plan into place and slowly wean the cr off of the sleeping pills

Materials: n/a

Categories: Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: Sleep issues sleeping pills lethargy addiction

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

Try: Be an active supportive listener allow the cr to talk don’t assume that you understand what the cr has said or meant verify by rephrasing and repeating what you hear look for nonverbal cues about what the cr may be feeling or trying to express simply be present with the cr as he she works through feelings of loss or anger acknowledge the cr’s feelings; don’t try to ‘fix’ negative feelings or dismiss them help identify the cr’s emotions realize that as finding words become difficult so will the cr’s ability to label his her emotions help the cr talk about emotions by identifying them for example try saying you must feel frustrated or you look sad it can be comforting to the older adult to know that his her feelings are acknowledged be aware of depression alzheimer’s disease as well as other mental disorders and depression have many symptoms such as feelings of worthlessness sadness crying refusing to ear or losing weight if you think the cr is depressed consult his her physicians if appropriate share your own feelings for example you could say i feel sad too but we’ll get through this together

Materials: n/a

Categories: Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical

Information: n/a

References: Mace n & rabins p 1999 the 36-hour day baltimore the johns hopkins university press robinson a spencer b & white l 1992 understanding difficult behaviors ypsilanti mi eastern michigan university

Keywords: Emotions

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

Try: Have a medical examination done to check medications and for illness or pain distract the cr with a favorite activity such as walking or food such as fruit try these communication tips respond to the emotion instead of the specific question the cr may simply need reassurance remind with brief simple statements do not remind the person that he she has asked before as this may be upsetting try a gentle touch when a verbal response does not help sometimes a hug or a gentle shoulder massage may be more reassuring than words use a calm voice when responding to repeated questions use simple written reminders with people who can still read do not discuss plans with the person until just prior to an event if this causes agitation and repeated questions try audio tapes sometimes a tape of the caregiver talking in a reassuring voice may be helpful however for some people a disembodied voice is confusing use memory aids signs large numeral clocks calendars and schedules can help orient some people remove things in the environment that may trigger repetitive questions for example a visible coat rack may trigger the question it is time to go now keep in mind these points when a person is stuck on step of a task repeating it again and again use touch and pointing to gently move on to the next step e g touch arm that going in the sleeve point to the sleeve be aware that interrupting the repetitive movement may be very annoying to the person be sure to allow enough time so the person isn’t rushed through the task

Materials: n/a

Categories: Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical

Information: n/a

References: Mace n & rabins p 1999 the 36-hour day baltimore the johns hopkins university press robinson a spencer b & white l 1992 understanding difficult behaviors ypsilanti mi eastern michigan university

Keywords: Dementia

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

Try: Help manage emotions try to remain calm and reassuring by telling the cr that everything will be alright try to redirect the cr by distracting him her with an activity or changing the subject acknowledge the emotions of the cr for example if the older adult shouts i’m going home respond by saying you really want to go home don’t you try not to rush the cr in registering what you’ve just said such as in the reply in the above commentary allow the cr to access whether you are accurate in your response to the older adult’s statement try to use comforting and non-controlling statements for example if the cr wants to go outside set limits by saying i’d like to go outside too we’ll go outside after we eat avoid surprises and create structure the cr may respond with emotional outbursts when he she feels loss of control or the cr doesn’t understand the situation try not to pull the cr out of a chair or any other place rather give the cr a warning by saying we’re going to get up now and gently assist the cr to standing position be positive and reassuring foster positive emotions to help balance feelings of sadness and anger repetitive enjoyable activities and exercise can nurture positive feelings use phases that help to comfort and release tensions for example say everything will be okay we’re doing fine we’ll get through this together i’m here to help you use your body language and tone of voice to send positive messages maintain eye contact smile and touch the person to comfort and reassure the cr

Materials: n/a

Categories: Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical

Information: n/a

References: Mace n & rabins p 1999 the 36-hour day baltimore the johns hopkins university press robinson a spencer b & white l 1992 understanding difficult behaviors ypsilanti mi eastern michigan university

Keywords: Emotions

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

Try: Try to be soothing and supportive to cr during the process or routine try to maintain dignity throughout the routine

Materials: n/a

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

Information: n/a

References: washing an elderly person 2008 available at

Keywords: Bathing paranoid shy embarrassed

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

Try: Look for reasons why the cr is afraid of bathing once the cause has been identified look for ways to reduce the cr cr’s fear for example if the cr is scared of falling try installing grab bars and bath mats in the shower or tub to help the cr cr’s balance if the cr is shy or modest try washing one part of the cr’s body at a time and keep him or her covered or partly dressed

Materials: Grab bars

Categories: Sage, Topic, Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical, Personal, Needs Some Assistance, Needs Much Assistance, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision

Information: n/a

References: Adapted from the website www elderlycaretips info – elderly care tips – washing an elderly person 2008

Keywords: Bathing paranoid shy embarrassed

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

Try: Music can bring many hours of good feelings it can also bring back memories of good times encourage the cr to relax and listen to his or her favorite music on a music player or the radio encourage the cr to call one of his or her friends on the telephone the cr’s spirits may be lifted by some conversation and encouraging words from an old friend encourage the cr to do some volunteer work for a church or civic organization in the community helping others who are in need may free up the cr from brooding over his or her own circumstances help the cr find something good to do others each day encourage the cr to start a hobby or craft like painting or quilting this may make the time go faster this may be more fun if done in a group take regular walks with the cr the exercise is good and it may produce good feelings in the cr encourage the cr to have a good laugh laughter can actually burn calories and increase happy thoughts

Materials: Radio recorded music that the cr likes music player radio list of cr’s friends and contact info telephone local volunteer organizations churches and civic groups craft or hobby that the cr enjoys

Categories: Emotional Psychological, Social, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision, Fully Aware, Somewhat Aware

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: Depression melancholy loneliness

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