Try: #divide the cat care chores in the most reasonable way making sure the caregiver and the cr agree on the details and that the cr’s tasks are can be done safely within the limits of after-surgery care guidelines for moving the hip sitting etc #the cr might reasonably be able to do the following sit on the chair at a right angle to the litter box lift the lid off the litter box and put it on the floor scoop litter with the long-handled scooper put the waste into the plastic grocery bag and tie the bag take the lid off the plastic bucket put the plastic grocery bag into the plastic bucket replace the lid of the litter box and replace the lid on the plastic bucket the reacher should be hanging close at hand for the cr to use to prevent the need to bend over the hip #the caregiver could do the following tasks purchase the water and food dispensers and fill them purchase the cat food and kitty litter make scheduled visits to check and refill the dispensers set up bricks or a platform beneath the litter box put the armchair at a right angle to the litter box and make sure there is room for the cr to safely get into the chair use duct tape to tape the litter scooper to the broomstick or pvc pipe to lengthen the handle of the scooper set up the empty plastic bucket for collecting cat litter next to the litter box hang the reacher and grocery bags within reach of the cr empty the bucket of the litter bags and replenish litter in the litter box as needed on visits # change details of the agreement as the cr’s condition or abilities improve

Materials: One water dispenser and one food dispenser sold in many stores’ pet supply sections litter box filled with cat litter litter scoop duct tape scissors bricks or solid platform to raise litter box several inches 33 length of broomstick or pvc piping empty plastic bucket with lid plastic grocery bags for used litter straight-back armchair reacher sold by drug stores and medical equipment suppliers

Categories: Maintenance, Social, 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: #tell the cr that the family would like to take turns working with the cr on sunday afternoons to prepare dinner for the family let the cr know that family members are genuinely interested in spending time together cooking and sharing meals #make a schedule a family member takes a sunday to come early and help with dinner this will enable the cr to continue cooking with some assistance and lets the family assess how much difficulty the cr is having #make enough extra food to leave the cr with several days worth of meals store the food in small portions in containers that can easily be popped in the microwave or oven #if vision or slight memory problems are affecting the cr family members can help in the short term by reading recipes out loud as cooking occurs chopping vegetables and measuring dry ingredients

Materials: Family members calendar food time

Categories: Maintenance, Social, Mobility, Mobile, Independence, Some Supervision, Vision, So-So Vision, Cognitive Awareness, Fully Aware, Long-Term Memory, So-So L T Memory, Short-Term Memory, So-So S T Memory

Information: n/a

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

Try: #keep food to be sliced from sliding by placing it on a spike board a spike board is a cutting board featuring two upright nails #a non-skid mat keep hold bowls pans cups or plates from sliding on a table or counter #one-hand grip scissors make opening many types of packages easier #the rocker knife allows food to be cut using a one-hand rocking motion #all these items can be found through medical supply stores and adaptive equipment catalogs offering supplies for seniors or people with disabilities

Materials: Spike board non-skid place mat or kitchen work mat one-hand grip scissors rocker knife

Categories: Maintenance, Mobility, Needs Some Assistance, 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: #sit to load unload or fold laundry if possible #use a long-handled reacher to reach items that drop to the floor or to the side of the machines #before doing the laundry put small items to be washed together in the zippered mesh bag and put the whole bag in the washing machine this will make it easier make it easier to manage the items and to prevent them from dropping while being moved in or out of the washer or dryer #fasten the belt to one handle or edge of the laundry basket when laundry is in the basket use the belt to pull the basket from place to place instead of lifting and carrying the loaded basket this may reduce back strain

Materials: Long-handled reacher sold in drug stores laundry basket belt mesh laundry bag with zipper sold in general merchandise stores with laundry supplies stool or chair

Categories: Maintenance, Mobility, Mobile, Independence, No Supervision, Cognitive Awareness, Fully Aware, Long-Term Memory, Good L T Memory, So-So L 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: #if possible discuss a food management plan with the cr the plan should include a meal plan keeping shopping lists regular shopping days and a schedule to check the cupboards and fridge regularly to see what food needs to be bought or disposed of #cook main courses in advance and divide it into meal-sized portions put one or two portions in small clear storage containers in the refrigerator and freeze the rest of the portions in freezer storage bags #before putting portions in the fridge or freezer use the marker and either tape or a labels to write what the food is and the date it was cooked on each package #to see if grain products pasta flour cake mix cereal etc are infested with bugs and in need of disposal pour them into clear plastic bags or put a whole box into a clear plastic bag close the bag securely and place on a counter under a warm light the light will usually draw any bugs into activity #if fruits and vegetables are frequently left to spoil consider using frozen or canned foods or buying fresh fruits and vegetables in smaller amounts #peel wash slice and pre-measure small servings of fruits and vegetables to encourage the cr to eat them more often label the serving containers to cue the cr to eat them while they are fresh #if the cr resists getting rid of food that has spoiled by saying i know when things are spoiled i can just see it or you’re just throwing away good food i’ve lived this long without a problem don’t argue the cr’s statements may reflect anxiety confusion or misperception related to anything from diminishing eyesight to a problem with hoarding explain that you want to replace the older food with fresher healthier food #consider taking old food out right after cooking new food that way you can further justify getting rid of old spoiled food by the need to re-use the containers for the new food and to make more space in the fridge additionally the sight of new food coming in may reassure the cr that the resource of food is not being lost even though older food is going out #after putting dated or spoiled food in the cr’s garbage remove the garbage from the home as soon as possible

Materials: Permanent marker masking tape or white labels clear storage containers small freezer storage bags shopping lists

Categories: Maintenance, Mobility, Needs Much Assistance, Independence, Some 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: #buy a laundry basket for each of the types of laundry loads usually done in the cr’s home for example permanent press dark gentle whites dry clean #use the paper and the marker to make a label for each laundry basket reserving one basket for each of the types of laundry loads usually done #tape the labels to the baskets #show the cr and the caregiver where the settings for each kind of load are located on the washing machine and dryer #if necessary or helpful buy different colored baskets and different colored marking pens in matching colors one for each kind of laundry load put an ink dot in the clothing tag of each item of clothing in a color that matches the laundry basket associated with a particular kind of clothing for example yellow for gentle green for darks red for permanent press blue for whites match the ink mark on the clothing tag to the basket the article will go in before washing #if you make a color key for laundry post the code in a very visible spot near the laundry baskets

Materials: Several laundry baskets permanent ink marker paper masking or duct tape interactive caregiver

Categories: Maintenance

Information: n/a

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

Try: #turn the basket over and glue the gliders to the bottom of the laundry basket the gliders will help the basket move smoothly across most flooring surfaces gliders are sold under a variety of names and are displayed in the furniture or moving sections of hardware and general merchandise stores they can often be found at inexpensive prices at discount outlets or dollar stores #tie the ends of the rope to either side of one end of the basket if the rope is tied in the middle of the end of the basket the basket may tip over when it is slightly overloaded and being towed #develop the habit of dropping the rope back into the basket any time the basket is not being towed to prevent people from possibly tripping on the rope #some caregivers substitute a belt for the length of rope this is simpler but again care will have to be taken as the belt looped to one point on the basket’s rim or handle will not provide enough stability to prevent the laundry from spilling if the basket is overloaded

Materials: Laundry basket with sturdy rim or handles smooth plastic gliders used for moving furniture about six feet of rope strong adhesive glue

Categories: Maintenance, Mobility, Needs Some Assistance, 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: #place everything the cr uses on an almost daily basis spices measuring cups spoons small utensils etc in the cabinet the cr can most easily reach #leave pots and pans on the stove #place a towel on the countertop between the sink and the stove the cr can use this to slide pots and pans back and forth from the sink to the stove #leave out a measuring cup or large ladle that can be used to add or subtract liquid from the pots without carrying the pots back and forth to the sink or table

Materials: Items currently in the kitchen

Categories: Maintenance, Mobility, Mobile, Needs Some Assistance, 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: #plan two weeks worth of meals before you go to the grocery store #use the clipboard notebook paper and pen to write a detailed grocery list based on the meals that you planned write the grocery list in sections that match the way stores are laid out dairy frozen food household items soda and snacks cereals canned goods meat produce bakery etc #pick a grocery store based on accessibility affordability price quality convenience etc try to go to the same grocery store every time you shop to become familiar with the layout #place the clipboard in the shopping cart where it can be easily reached and cross off items as you find them in the store if you start at one end of the store and go up and down each necessary aisle you are likely to find every item skip the aisles you know offer nothing you need #let the cr take the lead on the grocery shopping and only assist as needed this is good for self-esteem and helps build confidence #buy the non-perishable items before the perishable to prevent melting thawing or spoilage #don’t impulsively buy items that are not on your shopping list unless necessary #save money by looking for generic substitutes many of the generic products taste just as good as the name brands #clip coupons to save money check their expiration dates before you go to the store and hand them to the cashier before groceries are rung up #estimate the amount the cr will spend on a shopping trip in advance and pay attention to how close what is actually spent matches the estimate make a goal of planning in advance how much money will be needed and spending that amount successful budgeting can be very satisfying you and the cr can build a small amount into the budget for an unplanned treat and still meet a goal

Materials: Caregiver with reliable transportation and the time to take the cr grocery shopping clipboard notebook paper and pen store coupons store directory with the layout of the store

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

Information: n/a

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Keywords: n/a

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

Try: #contact local and regional social service agencies serving seniors and ask if food nutrition home help and transportation assistance are available see if the cr is eligible for income-based or need-based help #if you have trouble locating local or regional agencies contact the nearest hospital’s social service department or call your state representative’s office for

Materials: Caregiver understanding of local and regional resources for seniors phone book

Categories: Maintenance, Mobility, Needs Some Assistance, Needs Much Assistance

Information: #use the phone book to locate and call grocery stores personal shopping services and meal services to find out which are available in your area and which deliver #contact local churches to see if they have volunteers that routinely visit people who are unable to leave their homes and ask about the possibility of a volunteer picking up a pre-ordered pre-paid-for grocery bag to bring at the time of a regular visit #if hot meal preparation will be limited at home but the cr is mobile look for a place where very affordable nutritious meals are prepared some nursing homes offer adult day care programs that include lunch and some college food service programs run low-cost cafeterias information

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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