Try: #using screws enter the backside of the 2 x 2 foot plywood board and attach the closet rod pieces to the plywood #thread 9 of the clothespins on one of the shoelaces lace the shoelace through the center of the clothespins springs #loosen the screws just enough to slip the shoelaces through the crack between the pieces of closet rod and the plywood #the top shoelace with the clothespins attached should be about 3 from the top edge of the plywood the other shoelace without any clothespins attached should be 12 below the first shoelace #make sure the shoelaces are taut tie the shoelaces and tighten the screws #using the above constructed clothesline for practice hanging socks that are in a basket on the clothespins hanging on the clothesline this can be done either standing or sitting

Materials: 2 x 2 foot plywood board 2 – 24 pieces of wood closet rod 4 flat heat screws about 1 – 1.5 inches long 1 pair of 36 sturdy white shoelaces 18 plastic spring clothespins 8 – 10 long round head screws 2 – 12 x 17 pieces of colorful fabric assortment of socks in a basket handkerchiefs and other clothing items to hand on the clothesline

Categories: Emotional Psychological, Leisure, Memory, Mobility, Mobile, Needs Some Assistance, Needs Much Assistance, No Supervision, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision, Touch, So-So Touch, Poor Touch, Fully Aware, Somewhat Aware, Good L T Memory, So-So L T Memory, Poor L T 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: #first see if pacing is linked to the pain or the need to use the toilet #a check-up by the care recipient’s cr’s doctor can look for health issues that cause pacing #offer the cr finger foods they can be held and eaten while walking #keep serving sizes small as the cr may lose interest before finishing food #offer liquids between foods as the cr walks reusable water bottles with sport top lids can keep liquids handy and will not spill easily #be patient if it takes the cr a long time to eat #keep a food diary to track food intake share any concerns with the cr’s doctor

Materials: Bite-sized pieces of fruits and vegetables sandwich halves or quarters bagels bite-size pieces of cheese raisins or nuts reusable water bottle with a sport top

Categories: Emotional Psychological, Feeding Eating, Meal Preparation, Memory, Safety, Mobile, Needs Some Assistance, Needs Much Assistance, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision, Good Verbal Comm, So-So Verbal Comm, Poor Verbal Comm, Somewhat Aware, Unaware, Good L T Memory, So-So L T Memory, Poor L T 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: #don’t make assumptions about how the Care recipient (cr) should feel about a spouse or family member who has died #with the cr’s permission put up pictures of loved ones who are missed #keep at least a few much-loved items from a home being left to take to a new home #encourage family members and friends to call or visit the cr #if the cr doesn’t want to see people right away encourage friends and family to contact the cr with letters and to visit weeks or months later #respectfully offer grief resources hospice support groups pastoral counseling etc #contact a grief specialist or a doctor for

Materials: Pictures of lost loved one and other family members items from former home visits or calls from family or friends grief resources

Categories: Emotional Psychological, Spiritual, Mobile, Needs Some Assistance, Needs Much Assistance, Immobile, No Supervision, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision, Good Verbal Comm, So-So Verbal Comm, Poor Verbal Comm, Fully Aware, Somewhat Aware, Long-Term Memory, Good L T Memory, So-So L T Memory, Short-Term Memory, Good S T Memory, So-So S T Memory

Information: About how you can assist the cr if the cr’s grief is prolonged and interferes with activities such as eating bathing grooming dressing or taking medication information

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: For care recipients crs who complain and want their views to be heard offer a way to organize concerns so later action can be taken offer the cr a notebook or a tape recorder to make notes of concerns and ideas plan with the cr to review the log on a monthly weekly or daily basis if the cr has several caregivers offer the option of a review at the end of each one’s shift at the review pay attention to the cr’s concerns noting patterns or themes discuss ways of solving or positively communicating concerns if the caregiver can also review the log separately from the cr it may be easier to take some complaints less personally the caregiver can assist the cr to write letters make calls or talk with people about specific issues the caregiver can suggest a cooling off period between preparing a response and acting on it listen and respond seriously if the cr has concerns or complaints about a caregiver only offer to help with sincerity as a cr will be aware of sarcasm hostility or phoniness complaining may be a sign of another emotion being covered up take time with the cr to explore feelings or concerns beyond the complaints

Materials: Pen or pencil notebook or tape recorder creative problem-solving

Categories: Emotional Psychological, 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

Try: #let the Care recipient (cr) know in advance that a visitor will be coming with a dog ##tell the cr about the dog’s breed size and name ##emphasize that the dog is coming to visit with the cr ##check the cr’s response if the cr is positive or smiles or nods assume agreement to the visit if there is no response base the plan for the visit on what you know about the cr if the cr responds negatively with a word shaking of the head or a scared look delay or cancel the visit #if the dog is coming with a friend rather than a therapist specializing in pet therapy use the following guidelines ##the visiting dog should be calm friendly to people and have no history of biting or snapping ##the first visit should be 10 to 30 minutes long ##the dog should be five feet away from the cr when the first introduction takes place introduction should include the dog’s name and the fact that the dog is present to see the cr #always ask the cr’s permission to bring the dog closer look for positive or negative non-verbal cues if the cr is positive walk the dog to the front and slightly to the side of the cr for easy petting if the cr doesn’t reach out guide one hand gently to the top of the dog’s head and make small strokes #don’t distract the cr from the dog’s touch and comfort the therapist or owner should keep their hands on the leash and at the side of the dog’s neck and be ready to pull the dog back at any time #make sure the cr cr’s hands are washed thoroughly after touching the dog #repeat visits could yield amazing results

Materials: Dog on a short leash length no longer than 3′ quiet room chair with space at the front and sides of the chair dog owner or therapist

Categories: Emotional Psychological, Social, Mobility, Needs Some Assistance, Needs Much Assistance, Immobile, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision, Poor Verbal Comm, 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: Encourage the cr to reach out to people relatives friends neighbors walk outdoors treat his- herself with something try any form of art even if he or she is not an artist

Materials: Communication means phone internet people sun light paper pencil crayons watercolor

Categories: Emotional Psychological, Socialization

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: Tell the cr to try to identify or visualize his or her fears while breathing deeply and slowly then to try to combat those fears with facts or logic how rational are the fears tell the cr to use a nightlight when he or she can’t overcome fears and to keep using logic to quell the feelings of fear advise the cr to have night walks with a person he or she trusts if appropriate in the particular case so that he or she will find the dark enjoyable and safe if fear persists stick the glow-in-the-dark stars on the ceiling of the cr cr’s bedroom and tell him or her to try to imagine that it is the night sky glow-in-the-dark stars can be found in novelty and toy stores prayer or other religious practices can also be helpful

Materials: Nightlight deep breathing exercises glow-in-the dark galaxy stars religious items

Categories: Emotional Psychological, Needs Some Assistance, Good Vision, 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: Put on some calming music sculpting clay can be purchased in craft stores art supply stores or even in department stores real clay is an earthen material that needs to be fired in a special oven called a kiln but is generally easier to work with more versatile and longer lasting if used properly it can be cheaper than some sculpting clays that set in the oven check community resources for a sculpting studio where kiln time might be purchased or donated check the library for resources on how to work with clay lay out table cloth or mat on a table allow crs to each have an equal portion of clay share in the sculpting experience sculpting clays can be set in the oven and are often colored making for long-term decorative or gift items real clay requires more work but the end result can be a beautiful hand-painted piece of earthenware that will last many years

Materials: Cd player or digital music player calming music cds or digital songs sculpting clay of the type children use or real clay plastic table cloth or mat

Categories: Emotional Psychological, Leisure, Socialization

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: Place signs around rooms indicating where the person is for example this is your home in techny you have lived here for 20 years have a daily calendar that you can show to the person to orient today below the calendar have a list of things the person is supposed to do for the day be helpful and remind the cr where he or she is if the cr becomes confused label doors with what is on the other side bedroom bathroom closet etc have a list of phone numbers of friends and relatives as well as emergency numbers kept near the phone so the cr can call someone if he or she needs to help orienting

Materials: Calendar paper signs list of important phone numbers

Categories: Emotional Psychological, Memory, Safety, No Supervision, Some Supervision, Good Vision, So-So Vision, Fully Aware, Somewhat Aware, 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: Place the belt around the cr cr’s waist stand in front of the cr with your knees slightly bent and shoulder width apart grasp the belt on either side just behind the sides of the waist assist the cr in leaning forward at the waist bringing the cr cr’s head toward his or her knees rock the cr forward while beginning the familiar song ask the cr to sing with you to redirect his or her attention to the song do not break the rhythm of singing rock the cr to standing while singing and pivot the cr cr’s body to the sit on the next object bed toilet etc or to a stand as appropriate complete the song and give the cr praise for completing the task

Materials: Belt or gait belt that fits the cr cr’s waist comfortable but snug gait belts are available from medical supply stores knowledge of a common rhythmic song that both you and the cr can sing row row row your boat for instance a recording of the song may or may not help

Categories: Emotional Psychological, Falls & Balance, Transferring, Needs Some Assistance, Needs Much Assistance, Immobile, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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