Care recipient (cr) is trying to deal with a loss materials

Try: Listen to the cr as he or she expresses frustration over loss encourage cr to take care of him or herself diet exercise activity involvement be upbeat around the cr review photo albums video and other special items encourage the cr to tell stories about the photos etc encourage the cr to talk about the bad as well as the good prepare for and allow the cr to have angry and resentful emotions prepare for rapid changes in emotion and energy levels be sensitive to signs of depression and withdrawal try to get the cr to go out and do activities away from the home

Materials: n/a

Categories: Emotional Psychological

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Care recipient (cr) often injures legs wrists and arms

Try: Check bedroom and bathroom for sharp objects and remove them secure sharp knives in kitchen during bathing and grooming check legs arms and wrists for injury keep the cr busy with hands doing activities use physical exercise to distract cr’s energy encourage the use of wrist sweat bands place playing cards stress balls or other toys around cr’s home to keep them busy and distracted from harming him or herself use a daily schedule of activities to keep the cr busy

Materials: Athletic wrist bands playing cards stress balls

Categories: Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

The Care recipient (cr) often acts worried

Try: Ask the cr why he or she feels worried ask the cr if he or she is worried about another person ask the cr if he or she is nervous about upcoming events or appointments reassure cr that the caregiver (cg) will go with him or her to events and appointments explain to the cr the purpose of upcoming appointments discuss with the cr what to expect during appointments if the cr is anxious about health issues reassure him or her that the cg will help get answers to questions help the cr make a weekly schedule so he or she will know what to expect each day suggest placing calendar of events on refrigerator encourage the cr to start a journal for express his or her feelings

Materials: Calendar note pad or journal

Categories: Emotional Psychological

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Care recipient (cr) doesn’t seem interested or motivated to do anything

Try: Talk about subjects that interest the cr read to and with cr assist cr with learning about looking up

Materials: Reading materials computer internet maps

Categories: Emotional Psychological

Information: On the internet help the cg with planning a trip explore the purchase of new furniture new clothing explore interest in bike riding museums movie information

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Care recipient (cr) has trouble relaxing

Try: Make sure home doesn’t have a lot of noise invite the cr to join the caregiver (cg) in a relaxing activity ask cr why he or she nervous observe when cr seems to be talking about how much he or she has to get done encourage the cr to write out an activity list go over list and break down list into smaller groups of activities make sure list has break times noted suggest cr exercise when he or she feels full of energy encourage the cr to start a journal to release pent up emotions

Materials: Note pad or journal

Categories: Emotional Psychological

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

The Care recipient (cr) doesn’t feel safe

Try: Talk with the cr and try to identify the sources of fear check the environment for physical safety uneven floor tripping on carpet talk to cr about past stressful events ask cr if there are were verbally physically abusive neighbor or care giver make a list of names phone numbers that the cr can call when he or she feels afraid purchase a home safety system make sure outside of home is well lit at night to ward off intruders make sure windows are locked use night lights around the home

Materials: Night lights index cards pen pencils home safety system outside lighting

Categories: Emotional Psychological

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Holiday gatherings with families are stressful for both the caregiver (cg) and Care recipient (cr)

Try: The holidays often include too much of everything activities special events family gatherings parties people food gift buying travel and so on family members often feel obligated to get everyone together and visit with the cr on the major holidays thanksgiving christmas etc and often make a big production out of it try to simplify the holiday visits the simpler the better try celebrating holidays throughout the year and not just on the major holidays and birthdays ask each family member to take a certain month or months and plan a small visit with the cr at that time it is less confusing to have a few people come with a few gifts rather than a big crowd celebrate the lesser holidays such as flag day if gifts are a must choose simple everyday gifts that will last such as a magazine subscription a gift certificate to a video rental store lotions bubble bath and so on consider getting a carry out pizza chinese food etc rather than taking the cr out to a noisy restaurant

Materials: n/a

Categories: Emotional Psychological, Social

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Homebound Care recipient (cr) who is no longer able to cook gets bored and frustrated

Try: Sit down together plan the menu and cook the meal verbally or virtually go through the preparations step-by-step the cr probably has tips and tricks that he or she used in the cooking process that can be shared with you the cr could also talk you through a recipe while you actually prepare it you can both enjoy the finished product together just like a cooking show

Materials: The cr cr’s old cookbooks or recipe cards

Categories: Emotional Psychological, Maintenance, Social, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision, 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

Care recipient (cr) gets confused navigating throughout the house

Try: Cr could have a problem with depth perception and possibly a few minor changes could help with this problem make sure that the room furnishings contrast with the wall color for example if the furniture is a light neutral color the walls and the carpeting should be brighter and darker if the furniture is a dark wood the walls and flooring should be lighter to increase visibility flat paint on the walls will help reduce the glare of lighting or sunlight while paint with a glossy sheen will cause glare place photos in picture frames that are colorful to make them stand out on the table or shelf pictures that are hung on the walls should be of simple objects and not of busy patterns or abstract design reflective glass in pictures should be replaced with non-glare glass to reduce glare bright throw pillows or bright afghans across the backs of chairs or couches will make seating options more visible to the cr

Materials: n/a

Categories: Emotional Psychological, Personal

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Adult child -caregiver (cg) is having trouble convincing their parent- Care recipient (cr) to move out of an home that is no longer senior friendly to a senior living community

Try: Don’t argue or try to convince cr that the move is for the cr’s safety or well-being because this will set off the cr’s defense mechanism and they will dig in their heels because this suggestion may seem like the cg thinks of them as a child and is trying to take away their independence instead put the emphasis on the worry that the cg has for the cr’s safety and well-being and the fact that it would really help the cg out if the cr would move to a safer place – not for the cr’s sake but for the peace of mind it would bring to the cg this will bring out the parent in the cr and putting a child’s worry at ease will usually be utmost in their mind another solution is to present a parallel situation to the cr using another parent child situation and ask the cr’s advice the cr will usually see this situation as unlike their own and give correct and objective advice because this situation relates to someone else and they are therefore distanced from it another option is to check into the senior living situations in the cr’s area and see if they have month-to-month options then use the winter as a focal point and ask the cr to just move into a senior complex for the winter months because of the danger of shoveling or walking on snow or ice and again stress the worry of the cg once a cr moves and sees the social activities available and the elimination of homeowner responsibilities they will usually stay

Materials: n/a

Categories: Emotional Psychological, 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