Try: #use a tray to increase the number of things that can be carried in a single trip from one room to another #don’t overload the tray with more items or more weight than what can easily be managed #never waste a trip before bringing the dessert course in carry the dishes from the last course out #if the cr often forgets items needed on the table and has to get up repeatedly to get them consider making a checklist of things that always go on the tray make a checklist for each meal a personalized list might include such things as plate with food hot drink cold drink creamer sweetener packets salt and pepper shakers silverware napkin condiments toothpicks serving ware and utensils matches straw and pillbox

Materials: Sturdy lightweight tray apron or smock with pockets list if helpful

Categories: Maintenance

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: #a wheeled walker with a shallow basket can be used to move items from place to place in the kitchen these wheeled walkers with baskets are sold in many drug stores and through medical supply stores usually their heights can be adjusted to the cr’s comfort to prevent stooping during use some models come with build-in seats #make sure the cr has a comfortable chair or stool in which to sit while preparing food the seat should put the cr at the proper height to work at a sink or table and should be sturdy and easy to get in and out of #remove throw rugs from the kitchen floor so the wheeled walker with basket can be moved easily across the floor also remove rugs between the kitchen and the dining area to lower the cr’s risk of falling #the cr can line the walker walker’s basket with a folded towel for extra safety when moving hot food from the stove or oven to a counter or table sturdy potholders can travel with the food as well

Materials: Sturdy wheeled walker with shallow basket seat optional comfortable stool for sitting thick towel

Categories: Maintenance, Mobility, Needs Some Assistance, Independence, No Supervision, 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: Cut the steps necessary to brew tea or coffee by using labor-saving devices a cr may find it easier to simply fit a packet into a holder and pour water into the back of the machine than to do all the steps related to measuring and moving coffee from a can to a filter and then to the filter holder etc

Materials: Automatic coffee or tea brewer that uses pre-measured and pre-packaged coffee or tea packets lightweight plastic pitcher pre-filled to necessary amount of water by caregiver coffee or tea packets that fit the machine

Categories: Maintenance, Needs Some Assistance, Needs Much Assistance, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision, Somewhat Aware, Unaware, 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: #buy a leg lifter from a medical supply store or outlet or use a belt as described below #move the passenger seat back on it’s track and then recline the seat back as far back as it will go #the cr enters the car by backing into the seat from the side sitting sideways on the seat and leaving both feet on the ground #the cr then scoots his or her bottom toward the back seat the cr may end up sitting partly on the seat back during this movement #the cr then pivots his or her bottom and back swinging one leg at a time into the car if the cr has trouble lifting a leg the leg lifter or a long belt looped around the foot can be held in the cr cr’s hands and used to lift the leg #once both legs are in the cr scoots his or her bottom forward to sit on the seat properly #the back of the seat is then put back into a comfortable upright position #to exit the car reverse the steps #if scooting on the seat is difficult decrease friction by placing a plastic garbage bag or shopping bag on the seat while the cr is getting into place remove it after the cr is properly positioned

Materials: Front seat of car long belt or leg lifter leg lifters available through medical suppliers plastic garbage bag or shopping bag

Categories: Maintenance, 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: #use a rolling cart to move laundry basket and hangers around the house #keep a chair near the laundry machines and sit to sort clothes or put clothes in the machines #fold laundry while seated at a table or on a bed consider folding laundry close to where items will be stored #move some clothing directly from the dryer onto hangers to save time and energy this will work for clothes that don’t require ironing #remove clothing from the dryer as soon as the drying cycle finishes then fold or hang clothes immediately this will prevent some of the wrinkling that occurs when clothes stay bunched together in the dryer and perhaps decrease the amount of ironing necessary #consider whether given your energy and other resources it is more convenient for you to do laundry in several small washes throughout the week or to dedicate several hours once a week to doing it all at once

Materials: Washing machine and dryer laundry basket or bag chair rolling cart table and chair or bed hangers

Categories: Maintenance, Mobility, Mobile, No Supervision, 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: Label the three baskets one whites use hot water one colors use cold water and one delicates use gentle cycle using markers and paper if there is no good place to write on the baskets put baskets where the cr can easily get to them immediately after undressing make sure however that the baskets are not placed where the cr could easily trip over them help the cr get into the habit of reading clothing labels as they undress each day and putting clothes in the proper basket as they are taken off

Materials: 3 laundry baskets or tubs thick marker masking tape and paper if needed

Categories: Maintenance, 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: Install new lighting as needed to ensure that the kitchen is adequately lit under-cabinet lighting for counters can be helpful remove floor rugs place frequently used dishes utensils and cups on counter tops or easy-to-reach shelves to avoid making the Care recipient (cr) reach or bend for them encourage the cr to use the microwave instead of the stove store food and beverages in smaller containers so that they are easier to manage encourage the cr to perform food preparation while sitting at the kitchen table store food items on the most accessible shelf in the refrigerator arrange all items so that the cr doesn’t need to use a step stool remove a step stool that poses a risk to a cr if used

Materials: New or under-cabinet lighting small plastic containers for food and liquids

Categories: Maintenance, Medical Physical, Mobility, Mobile, 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: Park far enough away from the curb that the cr is able to enter the car from level ground adjust the seat and seat back to allow plenty of entry room and leg room the cr should back into the seat so that his or her buttocks are leading the way the cr can reach for the seat back or dashboard while lowering him or herself into the car once seated with buttocks fully in seat the cr should lift legs one at a time into the car and then make seat adjustments as needed use a pillow to increase height of car seat if needed for extra stability instead of a regular pillow purchase a square of heavy-duty foam at a fabric store and cut it to size place a plastic bag on the car seat to make swiveling in seat easier if needed

Materials: Plastic bag pillow or foam square

Categories: Maintenance

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: #identify kitchen supplies and foods used regularly to prepare meals and clean up #put those items in waist-high places in the kitchen #keep often-used appliances on countertops and the easiest-to-reach shelves or drawers #keep items used at the same time close together #to decrease risky use of the regular oven mount a toaster oven below a kitchen cabinet or keep it on a counter #store food in the middle shelves of the refrigerator #don’t use a footstool or stepladder grab out-of-reach items with a reacher or ask for help reachers are sold by medical supply outlets and drug stores

Materials: Waist-level storage re-organization of frequently-used items toaster oven reacher or helper

Categories: Maintenance, Medical Physical, Mobile, Needs Some Assistance, Needs Much Assistance, No Supervision, 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: #use weighted eating utensils and thick-handled hair brushes and toothbrushes #use velcro instead of buttons on shirts and pants #use shoes with velcro straps instead of shoes with regular shoelaces #use button hooks to fasten buttons #use a leg lifter to raise and swing a leg into or from a bed or a car #for limited reach or range of motion use long-handled equipment look for bath sponges and loofahs on sticks sock aids reachers and leg lifters in pharmacy sections drug stores and medical supply outlets and catalogs these can all make activities and chores easier and in some cases safer

Materials: Thick handled brush weighted eating utensils velcro straps button hook long-handled equipment

Categories: Maintenance, Personal, Mobility, Mobile, Needs Some Assistance, 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