Try: #set aside dedicated times for the cr to discuss the past using photos #limit the amount of photos reviewed at each sitting #ask the cr to tell a story about each photo #as the cr tells the story summarize and write down the

Materials: Photos and scrapbook index cards tape and pen

Categories: Emotional Psychological, Social, Mobility, Needs Some Assistance

Information: On an index card this may validate the cr’s memories and provide assurance that the details of the story are important #put the photos and index cards in a scrapbook #insisting that the cr stick with this process will provide parameters for reminiscing information

References: n/a

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

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Materials: #prepare foods that can be eaten with only one utensil so the cr doesn’t have to choose choose between using a fork or spoon #eat with the cr sit across from the cr while you eat so the cr can mirror your behavior this is often helpful to crs who are confused and unable to remember what to do at meals #put only one or two kinds of food on the cr’s plate at a time having to choose from among several kinds of foods may be difficult for a cr who is very confused #serve food on a divided plate or a plate with a raised rim to increase the cr’s ability to control food on the plate #keep your fork or spoon in your hand between bites once the cr puts a utensil down you may have to spend time encouraging him or her to pick it up again if the cr imitates you and keeps a utensil in hand he or she may be more likely to continue eating

Categories: Emotional Psychological, Personal, Mobility, Needs Some Assistance, Independence, Some Supervision, Long-Term Memory, Poor L T Memory

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References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: Do not try to restrain the cr when agitated if a specific incident has caused the agitation distract the cr with a snack or game to take the mind off the cause limit caffeine sugar and junk food keep noise and clutter to a minimum allow only a few people in the same room with the cr stick to a routine for example bathe and serve meals at the same time every day keep familiar objects furniture and pictures around as much as possible even if the cr is no longer in his or her own home familiar objects often bring a sense of comfort play quiet music read out loud in a quiet voice and speak in a calm voice allow the cr to do as much for his or herself as possible loss of control often triggers problem behavior keep dangerous objects such as scissors knives letter openers and matches out of reach

Materials: Familiar objects and photos quiet music or books snacks puzzles and art projects

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

Try: Bring in the mail each day and let the cr sort and organize it into areas of importance it doesn’t have to be current mail you can save old mail and use it several times send the cr on a coupon-clipping mission round up newspapers magazines supplements advertisements etc and encourage the cr to clip and sort the coupons and then place them in an organizer

Materials: Mail recycled cards brochures ads and coupons sunday newspapers old magazines

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

Try: Try to determine if there is a pattern to the agitation does it occur at the same time every day or just randomly if the agitation occurs every day make a note of what the cr is doing at that time of day and in what environment if the environment is noisy or there is too much stimulation for the cr move to a more restful place there may be clues when the cr is starting to get agitated some of the clues may be non-verbal such as the clenching the fist plucking at clothing constantly looking around the room or tapping the feet try to diffuse the situation before it escalates and the cr curses lashes out or gets combative how you react to the situation is vital the cr is very aware of your emotional responses offer comforting words in a calm soothing voice always try to have a distraction close at hand when this situation arises for example a photo album or high school yearbook to promote conversation

Materials: Phone schedule communication with siblings

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

Try: Try to accept the fact that you sometimes cannot change a difficult person’s behavior the difficult behavior may be deeply ingrained in the cr’s personality and habits adjust your body language tone of voice and use soft words to help diffuse the cr’s anger being in control of yourself will help you be in control of the situation deal with the challenging behavior in a way that does not put more stress on you the cr’s behavior may be due to a number of factors such as pain depression frustration with loss of motor skills or difficulties in the activities of daily living an intervention for the underlying cause may also help with the agitated behavior

Materials: Music player with earphones batteries for music player recordings of soft music the cr likes recordings of relaxing sounds quiet room that can be darkened by drawing the shades or curtains

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

Try: Let the cr know that the concerns about noise are taken seriously and you will help reduce the noise whenever possible explain to the cr that it is not always possible to lessen the noise level in certain environments when the level of noise starts to cause anxiety ask the cr to wear noise-reducing headphones headphones work very well in reducing noise but you may want to make sure the the cr would still be able to hear life saving noises such as a fire alarms while wearing them a less expensive way to reduce the noise level would be for the cr to use ear plugs instead of headphones foam ear plugs are sold in many drug stores if noise from entertainment systems is irritating give the cr books magazines and newspapers to read instead of using audiovisual materials instead of a movie the cr could read a book following the news is possible online and print and audio features can be adjusted for the cr cr’s comfort finally in bookstores and libraries many books are now in large print if the cr’s eyesight is poor

Materials: Noise-reducing headphones or ear plugs books magazines and newspapers to read in print or online

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

Try: Avoid crowds by dining out just before or after rush times plan to dine the hour after a restaurant is most crowded for breakfast or lunch or the hour before a restaurant starts filling up for dinner when dining out state your need for a table out of a traffic path away from the entry door or in a quieter room ask for this whether you call ahead to make a reservation or walk in and wait to be seated at home be mindful of the cr cr’s anxiety when planning parties if you don’t choose to limit the kind of entertaining that would cause the cr anxiety then make sure the cr has private quiet room to retreat to throughout the occasion consider keeping one bathroom and the cr cr’s bedroom off limits to other people and make it clear in advance that these are the cr cr’s private areas on a day when the cr might need to use the room as a retreat make sure there are some ways for the cr to entertain him or herself while there if the cr is part of a large family or community that is baffled by the cr cr’s desire to avoid gatherings help the cr find a way to talk about his or her needs perhaps the cr can come and leave early or just briefly visit hosts and hostesses are likely to be tolerant if they understand why the cr needs their understanding

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

Try: Invite the cr to go to a quiet room when he or she becomes agitated draw the curtains to darken the room ask the cr to choose recorded music or recordings of relaxing sounds waterfalls ocean birds etc adjust the volume of the recording and make sure the cr is comfortable with it before he or she puts the headphones on if the cr will allow it gently stroke or hold his or her hand until the agitation has eased look for nature sound recordings wherever books and music are sold they are also sold through some healing and therapy supply catalogs

Materials: Music player with earphones batteries for music player recordings of soft music the cr likes recordings of relaxing sounds quiet room that can be darkened by drawing the shades or curtains

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

Try: #place the cr’s chair close to a window facing a yard or garden #place the shepherd’s hook or wreath stand in the yard or garden where the cr can see it #hang wreaths or decorations appropriate to the season on the hook or stand #have several decorations for each season and change them periodically this will allow the cr to celebrate the different seasons of the year #read a book pertaining to the current season’s weather activities flowers or songs #sing some seasonal songs and discuss the cr’s memories of the different seasons of the year #also try indoor seasonal activities that tie together food music making cards and decorating #get inspired with decorating ideas for indoor and outdoor projects with do-it-yourself books and articles available at libraries bookstores and online

Materials: Outdoor decorations lights wreaths seasonal figures garden decorations etc shepherd’s hook or wreath stand seasonal decorating books

Categories: Emotional Psychological, Social, Long-Term Memory, So-So L T Memory, Short-Term Memory

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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