Try: Being present and listening is the greatest gift you can offer listen but do not offer advice or stories of your own allow a grieving cr to express sadness and anger be patient with a cr who repeats same stories over and over do not claim to understand what the cr is feeling do not force the cr to talk about the loss if the cr does not want to offer physical and emotional touch such as a hug or holding his or her hand take the cr outside for fresh air and a walk prepare favorite comfort foods assist the cr with difficult or overwhelming tasks look at old photos home movies postcard letters etc if the cr wants to but don’t insist on it let cr know that you are willing to drive him or her to the cemetery encourage the cr to write or share stories or memories of the loved one provide materials so that the cr can make an art project drawing or poem to pay tribute to loved one if the cr wants to incorporate pictures make copies of photos so originals can be returned to albums or people

Materials: n/a

Categories: Emotional Psychological, Spiritual

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: #rapport and trust are important to the comfort of a Care recipient (cr) make sure the feeling between a cr and caregiver is pleasant for at least a half hour before bath time an agitated caregiver adds to a cr’s anxiety #warm the bathroom and put everything needed for bathing close to hand #use a tub and shower bench if the cr has balance or stamina problems #use a handheld showerhead to control water #modesty concerns may increase agitation try covering the cr with a towel and uncovering only what is necessary to wash one area at a time #start bathing the cr from the head and work down assisting from the cr’s front where you can be seen and not startle the cr #use plastic soap and shampoo containers glass and metal ones are unsafe #grab bars may add to safety getting in and out of the tub and balancing to dry off #do not rush the cr through bathing

Materials: Tub and shower bench handheld shower head grab bars washcloth and plenty of towels plastic soap and shampoo containers

Categories: Emotional Psychological, Personal, Needs Much Assistance, Immobile, 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: #in situations where the cr wants to pay but is no longer competent with money to do so arrange payment in advance of when the cr expects the bill if dining out for example take care of the bill before it is brought to the table #for a very confused cr who remembers the ritual of paying but cannot make sense of money consider making a mock or faux family credit card for the cr to carry in a purse or wallet create a variety of coupons to be used for tips or gifts for caregivers visiting relatives and friends #in places where the cr is well-known and his or her confusion is understood you can make payment arrangements in advance and give the cr one of the coupons to present instead of money you will want to alert the staff ahead of time if you are doing anything like this and it may be unwise to try this any place with more than a couple of workers on staff #if a cr is hospitalized and wrongly believes he or she needs to pay for services related to the visit explain that insurance has paid for the room meals and assistance #if a caregiver or family member is taking the cr out to eat or shop you might also try handing the cr the amount of cash necessary to cover the bill when the it comes so he or she can pay it #in general when a cr is very confused about money you will want to make sure the cr is not being exploited financially or isn’t paying for things unnecessarily or several times because of confusion

Materials: Paper scissors markers communication with store or restaurant staff

Categories: Emotional Psychological, Financial

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: #involve the cr in planning a small dinner party to which just a very few friends will be invited #spend some time with the cr picking one to three guests deciding on a date and time for the dinner and coming up with different ideas based on the cr cr’s available space money and level of energy or ability #encourage the cr to think about what he or she would really love to do and then to talk through what he or she could realistically do if it it’s impossible to carry out the favorite plan consider whether one detail of it could be woven into the more realistic plan #if nothing else is possible plan a potluck plan on making one big pot of something and let the cr cr’s friends know what it will be so they can plan their dishes around it #while planning consider in advance how heating serving and cleaning up the food will be done the cr might need help getting organized before the pary or perhaps could use a helper during the pary #ask invited guests to rsvp by a date that is several days before the party #buy a disposable camera so pictures can be taken inside or outside at the time of the party in addition to adding an element of fun once the pictures are developed the cr will have another reason to contact his or her guests

Materials: One to three friends who can easily visit pad of paper and pen budget disposable camera

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: #buy a new mailbox at a hardware story #mount the new mailbox in a location closer to the cr cr’s door after checking with the post office regarding guidelines #make sure the mailbox is labeled properly with identifying

Materials: New mailbox to mount outside front door

Categories: Emotional Psychological, Personal

Information: Contact the post office for instructions on how to label the mailbox and how or where to mount it so it complies with federal guidelines #alternatives to installing a new mailbox include asking postal workers to leave mail inside the front door or on the porch or on a small table or chair just inside the door or installing a mail slot with an internal box to catch mail postal workers may be able to make further recommendations to make sure the cr can safely get his or her mail #you may need to speak to a supervisor to get delivery changes authorized contact the closest branch office and ask for help #once a new mailbox is installed if possible remove the old one if possible to avoid confusing postal workers information

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: Track liquids taken in and the number of times the cr urinates both properly and by accident; use this

Materials: Clock coordinated plan among caregivers handout on kegel exercises

Categories: Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical

Information: To plan bathroom breaks instruct the cr on kegel exercises if he or she is alert and able to perform them encourage the cr to perform these exercises 10 at a time time 3 times a day have meals and drinks at a fixed time to make toilet visits more predictable schedule adequate time to get to the toilet look for non-verbal signs the cr needs a restroom visit such as restlessness and other individual behaviors remind the cr to try doing kegel exercises while urinating stop serving foods and beverages that are bladder irritants such as acidic fruits veggies alcohol carbonated beverages chocolate coffee and tea try to replace these irritants with water which can reduce urine concentration and bladder irritation information

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: Pass out bottles and bubble wands; help anyone who needs help laugh and celebrate think safety make sure soap does not get into eyes or mouths and clean up slippery soap off floor when done this can be done anytime with different groups of people

Materials: Bottles of bubble soap and bubble blowers or wands a few friends

Categories: Sage, 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: #put the name of the cr on the make-up bag with the permanent marker let her know that the bag and its contents are hers and hers alone giving her a special bag as well as special manicure time may help her feel special #have her sit in a chair and relax #put lotion on her hands and massage it in #while you are giving her a manicure engage in pleasant conversation with her #when you are done with the massage trim her nails and smooth them with the nail file #show her the variety of colored nail polishes and have her pick one out if she is able #compliment her color choice as you apply it to her nails let her know how pretty her nails look

Materials: Variety of different colored nail polishes hand lotion nail clippers nail file nail polish remover brightly colored make-up bag permanent marker cotton balls

Categories: Emotional Psychological, Personal, Social, Female

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: #locate a certified therapy dog and handler through a local animal hospital or pet store #establish a regular schedule at least once a week for the dog and handler to visit and the cr to walk with the dog the time spent outside in natural sunlight the exercise and the dog will all help with mood #simple visits can be substituted for walks for people with reduced mobility

Materials: Certified therapy dog and handler

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