Try: Buy a three ring binder and label it expenses make a list of all bills make a list of all income sources medicare retirement investments etc keep all bills income sources checkbook postage and envelopes in the record keeping binder keep a calculator in the pocked of the binder place all mail that is financial in this binder as it arrives schedule times each day for cr and caregiver to do record keeping activities

Materials: Three ring binder calculator pen pencil paper postage envelops check book

Categories: Financial

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: #a caregiver (cg) can suggest to the cr that cash spending can be tracked if the cr requests a receipt for every purchase #the minute a receipt is handed to the cr after a sale the cr can tuck it into the small envelope which can be kept in a a wallet or purse just for that purpose #the cr carries the small envelope for a month at the end of which it is emptied and reviewed many people find they spend more money than they realize on little things that add up over days and weeks if saving money or tracking expenses is a goal saving receipts and looking at them after a month is one good step #while the receipts are out the cr can add up how much cash was spent and how continuing to spend money in those amounts for those items can be reconsidered and if desired the cr can make a mini-budget for spending money #after reviewing the receipts put them in the large manila envelope with other documentation of the month month’s paid bills and print the month and year printed on the outside of it documents might include bank statements bill stubs etc ideally each month month’s envelope would get stored with others in an easy-to-reach location #at the beginning of the next month the new budget for spending money can be tried out by putting some or all of the cash in the small envelope and again collecting receipts for all the items purchased with cash during the month if it is helpful the cr may want to write an outline of the budget on the outside of the small envelope as a reminder of his or her goals

Materials: Small envelope large manila envelope

Categories: Financial

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 there are people and businesses who specifically target people in certain age groups with sales ads or schemes knowing what the concerns of the elderly are #make an agreement with the cr that before spending money or sharing personal

Materials: Moisturizing soaps lotion without alcohol as an ingredient humidifier non-scented laundry detergent

Categories: Financial, Maintenance, Medical Physical, Cognitive Awareness, Fully Aware

Information: With any salesperson at the door the cr will get something in writing and discuss the offer with you any offer that does not come with written material and time to consider it is too good to be true #if the cr finds it difficult to end telemarketing calls or to tell the difference between a call from a predator and a legitimate business install a machine or subscribe to a service that allows all calls to be screened some phones allow messages to be heard as they are being left letting the cr ignore the call unless the caller’s name or voice was recognized #install a peephole in any door at which solicitors are likely to appear some will deliberately dress casually as if they are workmen in the neighborhood who just happened to notice something at the cr’s house that needs fixing #encourage the cr not to open the door to anyone he or she doesn’t expect or doesn’t recognize if a service utility or social worker is expected the cr should request that the person show a work identification badge before he or she is allowed into the home #informally help the cr come up with a script or phrases to use to turn away aggressive solicitors or telemarketers having a script one has already rehearsed is very useful for preparing the cr to respond well and self-protectively when necessary a useful phrase might be i don’t make any financial decisions without consulting my son or daughter and he or she is not available #remind the cr if necessary post a note near the phone never to give callers or visitors personal information including social security number bank-related numbers or vacation plans if the cr lives alone this information should also be protected only give out a last name and address if necessary to arranging legitimate personal business information

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: #call the doctor’s office schedule an appointment describe the side effects and ask if medication should be continued or stopped don’t stop taking the medication without a medical consultation #ask the doctor for drug samples if any are available if the doctor works in a clinic with a social service department ask for a referral to it for help locating medicine assistance programs #ask the doctor if a generic version of the drug is available it may be less expensive #if necessary contact a local

Materials: Doctor generic version of medication information and referral service name of prescription drug’s manufacturer internet access or library

Categories: Financial, Medical Physical

Information: And referral service senior center or office of an elected representative to ask for a list of agencies in your area that can help pay for medications some only do this on a one-time or quarterly basis in some cases however such as when a cr is the member of a faith-based community that has a human services committee it may be possible to arrange for longer-term prescription assistance #for cr’s who fall between the safety nets and can’t get medications any other way look into the drug manufacturer’s affordable drug program eligibility is usually based on a cr’s financial situation and requires cooperation of a physician the programs can be looked up online at the drug manufacturer’s websites do an online search for the drug to find out the name of its manufacturer a librarian will probably be able to assist you if you do not have internet access at home information

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: Use nonfat dry milk as an inexpensive and easy way to add protein and calories to daily nutrition plan add it to soups shakes and other dishes and drinks refer to the nutrition guide on the box to monitor the amount of protein and calories you are adding

Materials: Nonfat dry milk

Categories: Financial, Medical Physical, Mobility, Mobile, Independence, No Supervision

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: #explain to the cr that there are predators and shady business people who target seniors widows and people with limited income and because of this people need to be careful when agreeing to purchases and looking at bills even when a cr is clear-headed and competent he or she may need to be more careful about monitoring bills to avoid the scams that target special populations #make a checklist of expected monthly bills and put it in the front flap pocket of the 3-ring binder put the 12 sheet protectors in the binder prior to the beginning of each month write a list of expected expenses including bills and put it in one of the top-loading sheet protectors with the month and year written across the top of the page #put the basket or clear box in a convenient and visible location in the house as mail comes in encourage the cr to sort through it immediately and to put all bills into the box if necessary set up two boxes one for bills and the other for important mail that requires responsive action #schedule a regular time each month to sit with the cr and go over bills link the activity to something pleasant like breakfast out beforehand or lunch together afterward #when paying the bills review the entire statements call the companies’ billing departments to ask about unusual fees or services you or the cr don’t recognize #as the two of you pay bills check them off on the monthly expense sheet you wrote and slip the stubs into the sheet protector doing this every month will allow you to easily put your hands on payment records and charges for each account month by month #make sure checks or money orders are signed by the cr and that the account numbers are written on them before you seal the envelopes also make sure forwarding addresses are showing correctly before sealing envelopes make sure the cr’s return address is written on the envelopes #if you suspect a cr is being financially exploited through unauthorized automatic withdrawals from bank accounts or through poorly explained programs sold over the phone your options may include contacting the bank for assistance stopping check payments closing a checking or savings account setting up a two-signature account writing a letter on the cr’s behalf explaining the cr’s vulnerability and promising further action if steps of redress aren’t taken or contacting a state representative for referral for assistance if you write a letter asking for steps of correction to be taken spell the steps out clearly and set a time limit by which you want them taken

Materials: Basket or clear shoebox-sized box 3-ring binder 12 hole-punched clear top-loading sheet protectors 13 sheets of ruled paper pen 1 or 2 books of stamps

Categories: Financial, Independence, No Supervision, Some Supervision, Cognitive Awareness, Fully Aware, Somewhat Aware, So-So L T 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: #use a ruler to measure the length and width of a blank check and draw these dimensions on the cardboard with a pencil to create a rectangle the same size as a check #measure the length and width of the signature line with a ruler and draw it onto the piece of cardboard with a pencil #measure and draw with a pencil a half-inch box around the length of the signature line #cut out the check-sized box drawn on the cardboard #cut out the box that overlays the signature line now you should have a check-sized piece of cardboard with a cut-out rectangle in the lower right hand side if you place the cardboard template over a check the rectangle should fit right over the signature line of the check #use the highlighter pen to trace around the edge of the signature template #the cr can now use the template when writing checks #the template will need to be replaced as it wears out

Materials: Scissors ruler piece of white cardboard highlighter pen pencil blank check caregiver to make template

Categories: Financial, Maintenance, Mobility, Needs Some Assistance, Independence, No Supervision, Vision, Poor 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: #to make your own ice slush pour three cups of water and one cup of rubbing alcohol into the gallon-size freezer bag seal the bag and put it in the freezer for a couple of hours the contents will become a slushy icy mixture and the bag will make a great cold pack #for safety safety’s sake use the permanent marker to note on the bag what the contents are and that they are poisonous #alternatively use a bag of frozen peas as a cold pack remove the pack from the freezer and rub the bag gently between your hands to separate the peas from one another before applying the bag as an ice pack if you keep the peas out of the freezer long enough for them to defrost do not refreeze them #never place a cold pack directly on bare skin place the towel between the ice pack and the skin leave the pack in place for ten to twenty minutes checking the skin skin’s appearance every five minutes or so remove the pack if the skin takes on an unusual color becomes paler than usual or reddens

Materials: Bag of frozen peas gallon-size freezer bag with zipper rubbing alcohol water permanent marker towel

Categories: Financial, Medical Physical, Mobility, Mobile, Independence, No Supervision, Vision, 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: #ask a doctor’s nurse or a medical social worker for assistance explain the financial problem and ask for help finding free equipment or a grant to cover buying it #look for assistive equipment loan closets in senior or disability resource handbooks #read the ads or place an ad in area newspaper classifieds medical equipment much of it rarely used is often for sale #search the internet at home or at the library for sites that offer free stuff if you don’t see what you need post a request if you have limited internet experience ask a librarian to help you locate a site where items are given away free

Materials: Computer with internet access phone library newspaper handbook or guide to area senior services or resources list or area disability resources social worker or nurse

Categories: Financial, Personal, Mobility, Needs Some Assistance

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 a lightweight utility apron at hardware stores garden stores or in catalogs offering products for seniors and people with disabilities #find an apron style that will best suit the needs of the cr in terms of pocket size and fastenings #place phone tissues keys note paper pencils or whatever else the cr needs to keep handy in the pockets if pockets gap use velcro tabs to pull the pocket cuff back against the apron velcro tabs can be found in craft and hardware departments #keep the apron clean by washing or spot-cleaning it

Materials: Lightweight utility apron velcro tabs

Categories: Financial, Mobility, Mobile, Needs Some Assistance, Needs Much Assistance, Independence, No Supervision, Some Supervision, Maximum 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