Try: #help the cr to make use of a slow breathing technique invite the cr to sit or lie in a comfortable position and close his or her eyes tell the cr to let you know if he or she becomes dizzy or tired in the next few minutes #prompt the cr to take slow deep even breaths slowly breathing in through the nose for four counts and then slowly breathing out through the mouth for four counts #talk the cr through the steps in a calm steady voice drawing attention to the breathing process saying feel the air as you draw it in through your nose feel how it is cool notice how your chest expands as the air fills your lungs feel the air as your blow it out feel how it is warm not how your chest lowers as the air leaves your lungs #slowly count to four in your head while the cr breathes in and to four again while he or she breathes out coach the cr as needed through taking deep even breaths for a minute or two this may be all the time that is needed to help the cr feel less anxious and more relaxed #at the end of a minute or two say when you feel relaxed return to your regular breathing pattern when you are ready open your eyes #if the cr indicates he or she feels dizzy or tired while doing this breathing exercise stop the exercise and tell the cr to resume his or her regular breathing pattern

Materials: Caregiver to provide coaching cr ability to respond to directions and control breathing for a few minutes

Categories: Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical, Mobility, Mobile, Needs Some Assistance, Independence, No Supervision, Some Supervision, Cognitive Awareness, 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: #stress balls are spongy resilient balls sold in many small sizes and colors look for them at sporting goods stores and in physical therapy catalogs they are sometimes sold as novely gifts in office supply stores #the cr squeezes the stress ball between his or her thumb and fingers #the balls are also fun to toss and catch #the balls promote use of the hands and fingers stimulate the sense of touch and provide distraction

Materials: Squeeze stress balls in different colors

Categories: Emotional Psychological, Mobility, Mobile, Independence, No Supervision, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision, Cognitive Awareness, 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: #arrange a consultation with a registered dietitian to discuss the cr’s nutritional needs and to create sample meal plans with the cr’s permission go into the session with the cr #buy a notepad pencils and twelve blank monthly calendar sheets blank calendar sheets are sold at office supply stores #using the sample meal plans from the nutritionist as a guide make a meal plan for the cr this is something the cr should be involved with as much as possible plan a month of meals in advance and write them down in pencil on a calendar sheet #use the meal plan as a guide to make a shopping list list the grocery items you will need using the pencil and notepad #estimate the cost of the groceries by listing a price next to each item on the shopping list base the estimates on ads or scouting trips to grocery stores #shop carefully at the grocery store the caregiver can go with the cr if the cr needs help staying focused or remembering how to compare prices #review the receipts from the shopping trip while putting groceries away this is useful for reinforcing knowledge of the prices of foods and may reveal mistakes made by the cashier in pricing it is also a chance to give the cr credit when cost-effective shopping and staying within budget have been achieved #do meal planning and shopping on a regular schedule keep the notebook and pencils in the kitchen before shopping check the refrigerator cupboards and shelves to see what food items needed to make planned meals are in the house already and which need to be bought also check to see what staple items such as coffee milk or sugar need to be replaced

Materials: Note pad and pencils blank monthly calendar sheets nutritionist helper to provide assistance at grocery store

Categories: Emotional Psychological, Maintenance, Independence, Some Supervision, Cognitive Awareness, Fully Aware, Somewhat Aware, Long-Term Memory, Good L T Memory, So-So L T Memory, Poor L T Memory, Short-Term Memory, Good S T Memory, So-So S T Memory, Poor S T Memory

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: #buy a monthly calendar with room enough to make notes of activities for each day #get a list of local support groups for people managing similar mental health issues lists may found at a local mental health center the library or through a counselor or psychiatrist’s office #bring the list of local support groups and the local newspaper’s weekend activity supplement to meet with the cr discuss the range of activities taking place religious outdoor movies lectures festivals arts ongoing support groups retreats etc #crs with limited incomes might look for activities taking place when participation fees are reduced for example matinee movies are usually less expensive than evening movies and some restaurants and museums offer specials on certain days of the week #if the cr is interested in trying out an activity make sure he or she has the money or other supplies needed to go as well as a realistic plan of how to get to and from the activity #if new or unusual steps are involved review the steps involved in using public transportation if a cr’s mental health condition is currently causing significant memory or organizational impairment it may be helpful to arrange transportation with a friend or caregiver to and from the activity

Materials: Big calendar weekend newspaper list of mental health schizophrenia support groups caregiver or friend

Categories: Emotional Psychological, Social, Independence, Some Supervision, Cognitive Awareness, Fully Aware, Somewhat Aware, Long-Term Memory, Good L T Memory, So-So L T Memory, Poor L T Memory, Short-Term Memory, Good S T Memory, So-So S T Memory, Poor S T Memory

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: #meet with the cr weekly to fill the pill boxes encourage the cr to do as much of the pill management as possible #each day the cr should carry or take pills from just one box #keep up with changes in the cr’s medication with the cr’s permission go with the cr to appointments with the doctor to make sure all the cr’s questions are answered #after meeting with the doctor you or the cr can request a meeting with the doctor’s nurse for a lesson in setting up a pill box the nurse can usually set up a few pill boxes in advance with the caregiver and cr watching #assist the cr to keep a sheet of paper with a description of each current medication this sheet can be reviewed with the nurse who can help the cr understand each pill and identify it by shape color and dosage #afterwards set up pill boxes with the cr at home #check each day’s pill box regularly to see if pills are left in them at the end of the day or week which would indicate that doses are being missed

Materials: Caregiver pill boxes one separate strip for each day sheet of paper describing each prescribed medication registered nurse psychiatrist

Categories: Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical, Independence, Some Supervision, Cognitive Awareness, Fully Aware, Somewhat Aware, Long-Term Memory, Good L T Memory, So-So L T Memory, Poor L T Memory, Short-Term Memory, Good S T Memory, So-So S T Memory, Poor S T Memory

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: #hang the whiteboard in the laundry area with tasks related to laundry arranged by the day of the week each is to be done and a simple outline of steps to do to complete it for example monday 1 gather clothes sheets and towels to be washed 2 gather laundry basket laundry soap and any other supplies needed bring all items to the laundry area 2 replace sheets on bed and towels in bathroom wednesday sort things to be washed into small piles by material and color remove lint from the dryer lint trap wash and dry clothes sheets and towels clean lint trap between loads fold items when you remove them from the dryer friday wipe down the washer and dryer with a clean damp cloth put away clothes basket laundry soap or other supplies put away clothes or hang them up in the closet make the directions as specific as is helpful #develop the task list and timeline with the cr if possible so the cr can have control over when and how the tasks will be done periodically review the tasks on the whiteboard with the cr changing them as needed or desired #give the cr whatever time is needed to get used to the system if it is helpful be present while the cr works on laundry to help the cr stay focused you could re-direct the cr to the whiteboard as needed or to change the directions on the whiteboard to make them easier to understand #if auditory hallucinations distract the cr suggest he or she listen to music through headphones on a personal music player while doing laundry

Materials: Large white board dry-erase markers headphones attached to personal music player

Categories: Emotional Psychological, Maintenance, Independence, Some Supervision, Vision, Good Vision, Cognitive Awareness, Fully Aware, Somewhat Aware, Long-Term Memory, So-So L T Memory, Short-Term Memory, So-So S T Memory

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: #look for patterns in the cr’s sadness do sad moods occur on a daily or weekly basis is the cr sad at a certain time of day right after a meal after a particular activity or after talking with a particular person #as you look for patterns gently ask the cr questions about his or her life and relationships and his or her family’s history sometimes people are sad around the anniversaries of the deaths of spouses parents or siblings as you ask about family history ask when things happened or when the cr found out about them #if the cr has trouble answering questions invite family members and friends to share their thoughts about the cr’s experiences if your relationship with the cr involves confidentiality consider the rules of confidentiality before speaking with family or friends #ask what music the cr enjoys play that music softly when a cr is sad to help lift the mood #see if working on arts and crafts will distract the cr from feelings of sadness #if sadness is ongoing and causing changes in behavior consider an evaluation for depression by a doctor or mental health specialist

Materials: Observant caregiver knowledge or interest in family history or events family members and friends arts and crafts supplies music player music evaluation for depression if necessary

Categories: Emotional Psychological, Verbal Communication, Good Verbal Comm, So-So Verbal Comm, Poor Verbal Comm, Cognitive Awareness, Fully Aware, Somewhat Aware, Long-Term Memory, Good L T Memory, So-So L T Memory, Poor L T Memory, Short-Term Memory, Good S T Memory, So-So S T Memory, Poor S T Memory

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: #meet the cr every morning for a non-judgmental check-in to see how much paranoia the cr is experiencing this is also a good time to see whether the cr is taking all medications properly #assist the cr as needed to meet with any counselor or psychiatrist the caregiver can also encourage the cr to use a local hotline in a mental health crisis or to seek help at an emergency room or respite care center #encourage the cr to manage his or her mental health issues if the cr is able to he or she might bring a list of any symptoms occurring during the week to counseling and psychiatric sessions symptoms may be related to the disorder or to medication side effects #a caregiver who believes a cr’s behavior or stated thoughts pose an immediate real threat to either the cr or another person should seek help for the cr even without the cr’s permission the caregiver may choose notify the cr of the decision beforehand most crs would appreciate being told #if the caregiver is a professional care provider the policy regarding what circumstances would lead to a call to emergency services should be explained at the beginning of the working relationship #caregivers who are honest and consistent in their talk and action will improve their chances of keeping relationships going through the cr’s bouts of paranoid delusion #crs may find support in friendships with peers who are also managing schizophrenia check mental health centers for

Materials: Caregiver counselor psychiatrist crisis center respite care center peer support note pad symptom list

Categories: Emotional Psychological, Independence, Some Supervision, Cognitive Awareness, Fully Aware, Somewhat Aware, Long-Term Memory, Good L T Memory, So-So L T Memory, Poor L T Memory, Short-Term Memory, Good S T Memory, So-So S T Memory, Poor S T Memory

Information: About support groups and self-help groups there are also many support groups and info sites related to schizophrenia online information

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: #meet with the cr at the beginning and end of each week to discuss the cr’s schedule and related transportation needs in addition to thinking about how the cr will get to doctors’ appointments or grocery stores talk about how the cr will get to social events or leisure spots such as local fairs libraries etc #write the time and day that the tasks need to be done to arrange transportation on the calendar using the black pen for example a special van service might need two day’s notice for reservation while calling a cab might be done an hour ahead of an appointment #check off the tasks written in black as they are done #write the finalized transportation arrangement in red for example note the time a volunteer driver will arrive or the time the cr needs to leave the house to catch a particular bus on a certain day #the caregiver can walk with the cr to various bus stops or take practice rides with the cr on public transportation if the cr needs training or re-training because of symptoms related to illness or medication

Materials: Caregiver file folder bus pass city bus train schedule taxi company information rural transportation information if needed red pen black pen monthly wall calendar

Categories: Emotional Psychological, Maintenance, Mobility, Mobile, Independence, No Supervision, Some Supervision, Cognitive Awareness, Fully Aware, Somewhat Aware, Long-Term Memory, Good L T Memory, So-So L T Memory, Poor L T Memory, Short-Term Memory, Good S T Memory, So-So S T Memory, Poor S T Memory

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: #grief depression ill-fitting dentures diarrhea addiction to nicotine drugs or alcohol pain and some medications can affect interest in eating these and other issues should be explored if no problems are found with swallowing and no other medical conditions are found to be factors #turn favorite meals into soups softer smaller pieces of food may be appealing and soup may be comforting #instead of serving the cr three meals a day offer four to six smaller meals #try offering food that doesn’t require much effort to eat soup pudding steamed vegetables stewed fruit dumplings pasta etc try offering food that can be eaten with fingers or a spoon #prepare the cr’s favorite food and serve it in small portions #see if the cr cr’s appetite improves after outdoor excursions even if they are just short breaks to sit outside in the fresh air #sometimes a cr who usually eats alone and who has stopped eating regularly will eat in the company of friends if the cr eats better when company is present see if you or the cr can arrange for a neighbor family member or caregiver to share a daily meal or snack

Materials: Knowledge of favorite foods company

Categories: Emotional Psychological, Personal, Mobility, Needs Some Assistance, Independence, Some Supervision, Cognitive Awareness, Somewhat Aware

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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