Try: #check with the cr’s doctor to be sure there are no undiagnosed medical issues or medication side effects that may be causing agitation or resistance #make sure all the cr’s physical needs have been met and that the cr is not in pain and does not need toileting food or water #make sure environmental factors such as temperature light and privacy are arranged for the cr’s comfort #explain the activity to the cr one step at a time so the cr isn’t overwhelmed by either multiple directions given at once or by a task that just seems too big when looked at as one piece #don’t rush the cr through daily care activities trying to hurry the cr may increase the cr’s resistance #assist the cr in a way that preserves independence let the cr do as many things as possible no matter how small for him or herself #if the cr continues to resist an activity try postponing it and see if the cr will do it more willingly a little later try this on a one-time basis or on a longer-term basis for example once in a while you may want to postpone brushing a cr’s hair if the cr is agitated but if the cr is always sensitive or fussy before breakfast you may want to postpone grooming until after breakfast on a regular basis

Materials: Consultation with family physician encouraging and patient caregiver

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

Try: #create an activity apron that can be worn by the cr make an apron from a heavy-duty fabric or buy an undecorated apron from a craft supply store #depending on your skill level sew the zippers to the top of the apron or insert them in the apron likewise decide how you will attach snaps hooks and eyes ribbons laces etcetera so that the cr can open and close them use the 1 yard of extra fabric to make fabric panels for buttons and button-holes place the panels close enough together that the button-holes and buttons will line up properly when the buttons are fastened make sure you attach all items firmly so they will hold up through use and laundering #purchase all materials at fabric stores and craft supply stores use bright contrasting colors for fabric buttons and zippers pick buttons in many sizes particularly large ones if the cr has trouble with vision or fine motor skills you can also make zippers easier to open and close by looping ribbon or metal rings through a hole in the part of the zipper the cr would normally grasp #when the cr is restless offer the apron as a distraction the cr can wear the apron or the apron can be placed on a table for use

Materials: Heavy duty apron material denim corduroy sailcloth 1 yard extra fabric undecorated apron from craft store thread and needles sewing machine variety of buttons various sizes variety of snap sizes hook and eyes zippers shoe laces ribbons and any other type of fasteners someone with moderate or advanced level sewing techniques

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: #if a cr is persistently negative a caregiver can set reasonable personal boundaries ask the cr questions that encourage alternative options to the cr’s negative views and keep in touch with people who are positive and supportive #set appropriate boundaries this way remove yourself from negative conversations when your presence is optional; don’t agree with the cr’s negative views just to keep the peace; respect the cr’s right to opinions and respect your rights also #let the cr know you will care for him or her and do your part to the best of your ability and that you would like the cr to keep that in mind before he or she calls you names makes false accusations against you or swears at you #keep in mind that dementia and other conditions may lead a cr to act in ways that are not normal for who the cr was and that the cr’s entire decision-making process may be altered by a medical or psychological condition the cr should not be punished for this #respond to negative statements by asking open-ended questions that encourage the cr to think differently for example if the cr says my son never visits ask how the cr keeps in touch with him this could lead to a discussion in which it becomes clear that the son doesn’t visit but he calls and writes or it could lead to the realization that the cr could do more to reach out to the son if the cr says my neighbor takes everyone out for drives but never offers me a ride ask what’s your relationship with him like has it always been like this what’s his relationship with the people he gives rides to or how do you get around it could be that the cr has not thought about the quality of the relationship with the neighbor or the cr may really be bothered by the fact that he or she doesn’t have a way to get out much #working or living with a cr who has a negative outlook on life can lead a caregiver to feel frustrated trapped or angry keep your own positive outlook by staying in close contact with other optimistic people and by staying active in things that make you feel good about yourself and other people

Materials: Personal boundaries questions that open up other perspectives and choices positive relationships

Categories: Emotional Psychological, Mobility, Needs Some Assistance, Good Verbal Comm, Cognitive Awareness, Fully Aware

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: #cut 12 x 12.5 -inch squares of many kinds of fabric with interesting textures and colors #cut or buy 12 x 12-inch scrapbook paper with different textures prints or colors #cut several 12x 12.5 -inch sheets of bubble wrap #use a 3-hole punch to make holes on one side of each of the fabric paper and bubble wrap squares #insert the squares into a binder or scrapbook #decorate the cover of the binder of scrapbook #keep the binder in a place where it can be easily brought out when the cr complains of boredom the cr may find touching and looking at the book interesting for a while #add new fabrics papers or objects to the book as you come across them

Materials: Fabric scraps silk terry cloth cotton satin etc bubble wrap sheets scrapbook paper 3-ring binder or scrapbook 3-hole punch if needed

Categories: Emotional Psychological, Social, Mobility, Needs Some Assistance, Maximum Supervision, Vision, Good Vision, Touch, Good Touch, Cognitive Awareness, Somewhat Aware, Long-Term Memory, Poor L T Memory, Short-Term 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: #encourage better grooming while supporting the cr to feel better about herself notice and compliment her strengths and abilities #show that you appreciate the cr just for who she is by letting her know you enjoy spending time with her in addition to saying so look for non-verbal ways to let her know that are within your means- decorating a meal with a flower leaving a handmade card where she’ll find it remembering the things she likes #support the cr in trying to add one improvement to personal grooming at a time rather than tackling everything at once instead of presenting the idea as one aimed at improving grooming suggest that the cr deserves or might want to allow herself to have a new outfit manicure or hairstyle if her self-esteem doesn’t yet allow her to think she deserves nice things say that you are getting a new outfit manicure or hairstyle yourself and would like her to come along and do it with you because it will be more fun for you than going alone

Materials: Thoughtful caregiver

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

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: #once the cr reports seeing someone who isn’t there ask where the person is or was last seen as you look where the cr directs you ask what about the person is disturbing the cr #listen and respond respectfully to the cr if a cr has any degree of mistrust or paranoia attempts to minimize or dismiss the cr’s concerns will probably be detected #ask the cr for as specific a location of the person as possible offer to hang a sheet over the area where the cr sees the person so the cr doesn’t have to see the person some caregivers have found this effective at relieving crs’ fears the sheet is easily secured with masking tape and easily removed later

Materials: Masking tape old sheet

Categories: Emotional Psychological, Independence, Some Supervision, Vision, Good Vision, 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

Try: #often the more you try to push an intrusive thought away the more it will persist instead of fighting to suppress the thought begin by simply accepting that the thought or idea is there it doesn’t have to be liked or disliked acted on or ignored; simply accept that it is there #imagine the intrusive idea or image is floating in front of your eyes allow yourself to see it after you’ve let your mind focus without anxiety on the intrusive thought for a few moments let yourself move on to the task or activity it interrupted #in many cases acknowledging the intrusive thought rather than denying it decreases its power to disturb #intrusive thoughts can be a symptom related to obsessive-compulsive disorder ocd or a side effect of medication if persistent intrusive thoughts are new or if they worsen or become more troubling contact a physician you may want to seek a consultation with a specialist in senior mental health issues such as a psychiatrist with geriatric experience

Materials: n/a required

Categories: Emotional Psychological, Independence, No Supervision, Cognitive Awareness, Fully Aware

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: #eliminate caffeine dependence by slowly switching to decaffeinated products begin by diluting caffeinated drinks with half-measures of decaffeinated versions of the drinks over a two week period move entirely to decaffeinated products #during an anxiety attack breathing rate increases take deep long slow breaths at the start of an anxiety attack or as soon as you become aware of a rising stress level #lessen anxiety through distraction when anxiety rises try doing something that requires focus such as visiting with a friend working on a puzzle trying a new recipe or reading a book

Materials: Decaffeinated coffee cola and tea kind and empathetic caregiver deep breathing distraction

Categories: Emotional Psychological, Personal, Social, Mobility, Mobile, Independence, No Supervision, Cognitive Awareness, Fully Aware

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 well in advance what is going to take place for example a doctor’s visit or trip to a senior center #let the cr know all the details necessary to get ready when the cr needs to be ready who will provide transportation etc #ask the cr to let you know or write down any questions or concerns about the activity #don’t judge what the cr says but ask questions if you don’t understand something #sometimes anxiety will lessen as fears are spoken ask what specifically makes the cr anxious about the event the cr may come up with a list of concerns that the two of you can investigate and answer before the event perhaps lowering of the cr’s anxiety #if a cr has concerns related to medical procedures ask questions of treating doctors therapists or lab workers in advance #if a cr is anxious about beginning a new program or joining a group ask if you can bring the cr to the activity’s meeting site in advance so the cr can see the environment or meet the facilitator in advance

Materials: Pen paper resourceful nonjudgmental caregiver

Categories: Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical, Mobility, Needs Some Assistance, Independence, Some Supervision, Cognitive Awareness, Fully Aware

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: #encourage the cr to talk to others who have also lost loved ones knowing that someone else has gone down the same path may reassure the cr that he or she is not alone and that things will gradually get better in the future #encourage the cr to celebrate the life of the loved one #the cr could reminisce and record memories of their loved one in a journal #if the cr is unable to write the journal could be created with a voice recorder #the cr also could put together a scrapbook with personal pictures and add captions once they are secured in the book

Materials: Journal and pen recorder if the cr is unable to write scrapbook personal pictures tape and scissors

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