Try: #try to limit the cr’s naps during the day #have a bedtime routine for example eat a snack brush teeth read and then go to bed #once the cr is ready for bed run the fan for white noise or play soft soothing music white noise is a steady noise that drowns out any other less regular noises such as people talking in the hall telephones ringing water running or doors opening and closing the fan or music may make it easier for the cr to fall asleep and stay asleep

Materials: Fan music player soft soothing music

Categories: Maintenance, Medical Physical, Personal, Mobility, Needs Some Assistance, Independence, Some Supervision

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: #turn each chore into a fun activity for the cr having an activity to do can make the cr happy calm and content #when the cr is fully engaged in the fun activities that you provide the freed up time can be used productively to get caught up on your own work chores and activities #think creatively and turn other everyday chores such as dusting and folding towels into activities for the cr

Materials: n/a

Categories: Maintenance, Social, Mobility, Needs Some Assistance, Independence

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: #plan meals and shop for groceries a week in advance so the kitchen is always stocked with what the cr needs to prepare meals #organize the kitchen so the cr can easily reach the most commonly used tools and foods #work with the cr once or twice a week to prepare some major dishes that will carry the cr through the week casseroles cooked meats or any foods requiring time energy or effort the cr would have trouble supplying before you and the cr start cooking review your recipes and plan your activity so that all the dishes will finish cooking and cooling around the same time #let the cr take the lead cooking the meals while you assist only as needed in general you want to encourage the cr to stay active and independent in as many ways as possible which means allowing the cr to engage in as many activities as he or he can safely manage #if the cr has trouble with one task look for an easier way for the task to be done or switch tasks with the cr so he or she can do something less difficult #if necessary use silliness to motivate the cr for example put on aprons and chef hats and pretend you are on a tv cooking show #divide the cooked dishes into portions the cr can easily lift and put them in airtight containers label each container with a description of the contents and the date they were cooked if you think it is necessary write simple reheating instructions on each label as well

Materials: Well-stocked kitchen with refrigerator stove microwave crock pot pots and pans cooking utensils baking dishes hot pot holders measuring cups and spices airtight containers large self-adhesive labels black felt tip pen

Categories: Maintenance, 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: #talk about the meals or specific dishes that the cr made in the past that were favorites of yours and other family members #tell the cr that you wish you had the time and talent to make that dish again ask if the cr can either fix it for you or show you how to make it in either case the food will be prepared and consumed #plan a specific meal buy all the groceries and then ask the cr to make it for you tell the cr that cooking the meal will really help you out since you work full time and have a very busy schedule #eating alone may be one reason the cr is not going to the trouble of preparing meals #offer to have meals with the cr and invite other friends and family members to join in this will provide company and make mealtime more enjoyable

Materials: Nothing special

Categories: Maintenance, Medical Physical, 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: #sit down once or several times with the cr help him or her plan let the cr know kindly but firmly that you are unable for your own reasons to take on the responsibility of doing all the tasks and chores #encourage the cr to write down a list of tasks and chores that will need to take place during recovery note which ones the cr can still do or partly do write one task per line and leave several spaces between lines #upon reviewing the list consider scratching out those tasks and chores that aren’t vital and can be postponed or done less frequently #make a list of people and resources who might help get the necessary tasks and chores done the list can include the cr and the cg but may also include family members close friends or volunteers from a service organization hired assistants professional cleaners caterers home service medical personnel senior service organization volunteers hospice workers or faith-based professionals working out of faith centers #contact those people and agencies to begin asking and arranging for their assistance in specific areas while the cr works on health issues

Materials: Meeting between cr and cg large pad of writing paper and a pen list of tasks chores that need to take place during the cr’s recovery period list of people and resources who might help accomplish the necessary tasks and chores

Categories: Maintenance, Medical Physical, Mobility, Needs Some Assistance, Needs Much Assistance, 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: #first look for pens and pencils with extra wide shafts and soft grips these may be easier than hard narrow pens and pencils to use #for greater comfort purchase soft rubber grips for pens and pencils these can be found in office supply stores about two inches long they are made of a moderately spongy material and can be slipped over a pen or pencil into the place that works best for the writer #for a cr with extreme difficulty closing the hand or fingers build up a pen or pencil with a tennis ball that the cr can wrap his or her hand around as the pen or pencil is moved to write the caregiver or a friend can pierce the tennis ball through with a long narrow screwdriver so there is a hole going through each half of the ball thread the pen or pencil through the holes so the ball looks like an orange with a straw running through the middle of it and emerging out of the top and bottom of it the cr can now easily grasp the tennis ball instead of the narrower shaft of the pen or pencil to write it may take a little practice for the cr’s handwriting to adjust to the change in hand position

Materials: Extra wide pens or pencils pen or pencil grips tennis ball long narrow screwdriver caregiver or friend who can use tools

Categories: Maintenance, Medical Physical, Mobility, Mobile, Independence, No Supervision, Touch, So-So Touch

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: #slice food safely with one hand using cutting boards designed with suction feet or cups on their undersides and spikes on their topsides the suction cups or feet hold the board in place on the work surface and the spikes hold the food in place on the cutting board improving the ease and safety of one-handed slicing #cutting boards adapted to the needs of people with disabilities are sold through adaptive supply catalogs independent living catalogs medical supply stores and senior resource catalogs many of these catalogs can be found on the internet as well

Materials: Move-resistant cutting board with spikes

Categories: Maintenance, 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: #for a cr whose ability to take in

Materials: Television with closed caption mode option

Categories: Maintenance, Social

Information: Has been affected by a stroke receiving multiple clues about what is happening may be helpful #if a cr is having trouble following television news or shows or movies shown through a television screen try enabling the closed captioning feature on either the television set or if viewing a disk through the viewing options menu offered on the disk #closed captioning a running frame at the bottom of the screen features the words spoken throughout a program newscast or commercial along with notes of when laughter or sighs are heard #seeing the words won’t help every stroke survivor but for some closed captioning will add another layer of meaning and organization to a world that the stroke may have left looking somewhat confusing information

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: #reinforcement rings are self-sticking lasting and made of fairly sturdy material they stick firmly to any surface and can stand up to repeated usage when stuck on even surfaces such as the face of a microwave microwave’s setting panel they rise above the surface and can be discerned with the fingertips #peel off the back of a ring and place it on the microwave microwave’s start button put another ring on the one minute button this will allow a cr with low vision or blindness to feel for the two most-frequently-used setting keys #make the rings more visible by coloring them with a permanent marker whose color contrasts with the color of the surface let the color dry before touching the ring #reinforcement rings can be bought at at office supply stores

Materials: Cloth reinforcement rings for notebook paper or divider pages

Categories: Maintenance, Vision, So-So Vision, Poor Vision

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: #the following is a list of driving behaviors that should be of concern if you see any of these note when they occur or when they were told to you so you can present them in a matter-of-fact way to the cr or the cr’s doctor abrupt lane changes braking or acceleration; slow reactions to changes in the road environment; close calls or more fender benders than usual; failure to use turn signals or keeping signals on without changing lanes; drifting from one lane to another; driving onto the shoulder or the wrong side of the road; appearing fearful while driving or excessively tired after driving; trouble reading signs or following directions; getting lost more than usual; appearing disoriented while driving; irritating or frustrating other drivers without noticing or understanding why; inattention to signs signals or pedestrians; missing familiar exits; showing new or unusual signs of unease or discomfort driving such as looking over the shoulder moving hands or feet or becoming irate with other drivers #when possible speak first to the cr and see if he or she will voluntarily give up driving either permanently or until the safety problems can be resolved if necessary and if you are in a position to do so report the cr’s driving difficulties to his or her doctor be specific about the problems the cr is having and the dangers posed to the cr and other people on the road the doctor can assess the cr’s safety risk and if necessary write medical orders restricting the cr’s driving until the safety issues are resolved #safety issues may be resolved through driver education or car modification tailored to a cr with a newly acquired level of disability through improved functioning or by finding alternate means of transportation the cr stops driving

Materials: Concern for safety of cr passengers and others on the road courage if necessary for a difficult conversation physician contact information for the state’s secretary of state if needed

Categories: Maintenance, Medical Physical, Mobility, Mobile, Needs Some Assistance, Independence, No Supervision, Some Supervision, Cognitive Awareness, Fully 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