Try: Try to find out what may be triggering the lack of interest being ignored or becoming overwhelmed with a task try to find out what kinds of consequences may be reinforcing it again being ignored not having appropriate choices of pleasant activities it is important to keep the cr moving and as active as possible in order to maintain physical health and to prevent depression try adapting previously pleasurable activities so the cr can participate at a level that is comfortable and not overwhelming even a small amount of activity is better than n/a at all

Materials: n/a

Categories: Sage, Topic, Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical

Information: n/a

References: tips for dealing with specific dementia problematic behaviors by carrie hill and natalie reiss 2008 available at

Keywords: Lack of interest apathy no motivation inactive just sits around

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

Try: Stay calm and provide simple clear positive answers when the cr asks for help for example if the cr seems confused about the purpose of a spoon simply say here here’s your spoon for eating your soup calmly show the cr how to use the utensil by saying watch me avoid scolding the cr or talking to him or her in a belittling way for becoming confused

Materials: n/a

Categories: Sage, Topic, Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical, Cognitive Awareness, Somewhat Aware, Unaware, Short-Term Memory, So-So S T Memory, Poor S T Memory

Information: n/a

References: tips for dealing with specific dementia problematic behaviors by carrie hill and natalie reiss 2008 available at

Keywords: Confused

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

Try: Make sure cr doesn’t eat alone all the time he or she can share lunch or dinner with grandchildren nieces nephews other family members friends and neighbors on a rotating basis encourage the cr to find new lunch and dinner buddies by taking a class volunteering or going on an outing with a local senior group you may want to consider enrolling cr in an adult day care program so he or she will have both companionship and nutritious meals this is a good idea for crs who are isolated and lonely or unable to prepare their own meals encourage the cr to try using senior meal programs as a way to meet others contact the local senior centers ymca churches or high school to see if they have senior meal programs

Materials: n/a

Categories: Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical, Personal, Fully Aware, Somewhat Aware

Information: n/a

References: Adapted from the intenet website www helpguide org senior nutrition the joy of eating well and aging well by sarah kovatch and gina kemp 2011

Keywords: Depressed malnutrition lonely isolated diet healthy eating food nutrition

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

Try: Allow the cr to share his or her feelings while you listen attentively repeat the concerns to the cr so that he or she knows you have been listening and then re-assure the cr the truth about the situation correct any false statements that the cr made about the situation if the cr is overreacting about a supposed illness help the cr find more

Materials: n/a

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

Information: About the illness and discuss it in detail but don’t allow the cr to obsess over the issue after you’ve discussed the issue or illness come up with a manageable solution and begin a new activity to keep the cr’s mind off of the problem information

References: n/a

Keywords: Imaginary illness imaginary physical ailment neurotic

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

Try: Suggest the cr try as much as possible to decrease the speed of his breathing by trying to relax this should also help to ensure the right amount of oxygen gets to the cr’s brain as a result this will help end the anxiety or panic attack more quickly make an effort to include a daily exercise routine cr should look at his diet is he eating too much junk food does his diet include the required amount of vegetables and fiber cr should make sure he is getting enough rest avoid caffeine it can increase anxiety

Materials: n/a

Categories: Sage, Topic, Emotional Psychological

Information: n/a

References: how to cope with panic attacks 2010 available at

Keywords: Panic panic attacks anxiety stress exercise diet sleep s

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

Try: Focus on one goal at a time try to find someone who has accomplished the same thing to inspire the cr get excited about accomplishing the goal by learning and reading about it build anticipation by setting a date in the future , a week or two or even a month , and make that the start date mark it on the calendar get excited about that date make it the most important date in life then start writing out a plan print out the goal in big words make the goal just a few words long like a mantra exercise 15 mins daily and post it up on the wall or refrigerator post it at home and work put it on the computer desktop these big reminders keep the cr’s motivation and focus going try to find a picture of the goal and post that too commit to the goal publicly by telling friends and family and co-workers give them progress updates every week or so

Materials: Post it notes pen calendar books videos about a specific goal

Categories: Sage, Topic, Emotional Psychological

Information: n/a

References: get off your butt 16 ways to get motivated when you’re in a slump leo babauta available at

Keywords: Laziness motivation lack of energy lazy exercise

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

Try: Think about the goal every day commit to doing one small thing to further the goal even just 5 minutes every single day get support from friends and family or find an online or local support group try to stay positive when motivation is low realize that everybody has good and bad days when motivation is low try reading about the goal or ask for help

Materials: Books videos about a specific goal

Categories: Sage, Topic, Emotional Psychological

Information: n/a

References: get off your butt 16 ways to get motivated when you’re in a slump by leo babauta available at

Keywords: Laziness motivation lack of energy lazy

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

Try: Show respect to the cr assure the cr that he or she is important and valued treat the cr as an adult rather than a child help build confidence through the things you do or say instead of belittling the cr speak in a normal tone of voice and avoid show of emotions spend quality time with the cr and do not act like you are in a rush to go and do something else for example go for a walk with the cr each day give the cr your undivided attention turn off your cell phone electronic gadgets television music and other distractions listen as the cr shares his or her concerns with you assure the cr that you will always be there to help with whatever comes up it may help to have a catch phrase to be your rallying cry and encourage the cr for example we’re all in this together get er done or the force is with you help the cr feel more confident by discussing the day’s events and highlighting the things that he or she did well along the way encourage the cr to participate in making daily decisions regarding meals activities and so on ask the cr for his or her opinion to help build confidence encourage the cr to participate in several social activities throughout the week such as playing games at a local senior center attending church services and visiting with friends and family socialization with others with similar life circumstances may provide some assurance that some challenges in life can be overcome

Materials: n/a

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

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: Helplessness hopeless despair depression confidence socializing

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

Try: Help the cr understand that panic attacks are a state of mind not an illness help the cr realize that he is not alone in feeling panicked panic disorder is an anxiety disorder that many other people have help the cr understand what panic is panic is just excess adrenaline that runs through the cr’s body when it it’s feeling anxious or threatened in some way try to look for triggers that cause the cr to panic let other people who are close to the cr know about the cr’s feelings of panic so they won’t think the cr is acting odd when attacks do happen don’t try to fight the feelings instead let the feelings of panic come and wash over the cr and they will pass soon if the cr lets them suggest that the cr focus on his breathing during challenging circumstances

Materials: n/a

Categories: Sage, Topic, Emotional Psychological

Information: n/a

References: how to cope with panic attacks 2010 available at

Keywords: Panic panic attacks anxiety stress

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

Try: Encourage the Care recipient (cr) to journal his or her thoughts about spirituality and his or her belief in a higher power offer to discuss spirituality with the cr and listen without passing judgment despite your own beliefs suggest the cr write out a prayer expressing the stresses in life and asking for help to cope find a list of local church services and encourage the cr to consider attending the one he or she is most interested in and comfortable with

Materials: Journal pen or pencil

Categories: Emotional Psychological, Spiritual, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision, Good Verbal Comm, So-So Verbal Comm, Fully Aware, Somewhat Aware, Unaware, So-So L T Memory, Poor L T Memory, So-So S T Memory, Poor S T Memory

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: Stress anxiety apprehension tension worry spirituality prayer

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