Try: Try to find out if cr is getting the help he she needs with daily personal care such as dressing bathing and grooming try to find out if safety precautions been taken throughout cr’s home make sure that any needed additional precautions are also taken care of such as a ramp try to assess whether cr has safe transportation to doctor doctor’s appointments and other events try to make sure that cr is engaged in meaningful activities during the day such as favorite hobbies or games

Materials: n/a

Categories: Sage, Topic, Maintenance, Medical Physical, Personal

Information: And keep it handy for example make sure you have contact information for physicians pharmacies care providers and neighbors as well as important financial and legal documents easily accessible in case they are unexpectedly needed try to give yourself a break living out of town does not mean you aren’t involved or that you don’t care try to get support by connecting with others who are long-distance caregivers through an online community or a local support group

References: Adapted from www alz org long-distance caregiving by staff writer no date

Keywords: Long distance caregiving assess care needs lives alone

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

Try: Make sure you consider whether cr and his her spouse wants to move make sure your home is adapted to support cr’s needs for example ramps make sure there is someone at your home to care for cr and that this expense is something you can afford try to consider how the rest of your family feels about the move try to consider how this move will affect your job family and finances try to find out what respite services are available in your community to assist you with the additional stress of caregiving try to consider how providing direct care for cr will impact your own health

Materials: n/a

Categories: Sage, Topic, Maintenance, Medical Physical, Personal, Mobility, Needs Some Assistance, Needs Much Assistance, Independence, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision, Cognitive Awareness, Somewhat Aware, Unaware, Long-Term Memory, So-So L T Memory, Poor L T Memory, Short-Term Memory, So-So S T Memory, Poor S T Memory

Information: And keep it handy for example make sure you have contact information for physicians pharmacies care providers and neighbors as well as important financial and legal documents easily accessible in case they are unexpectedly needed try to give yourself a break living out of town does not mean you aren’t involved or that you don’t care try to get support by connecting with others who are long-distance caregivers through an online community or a local support group

References: Adapted from www alz org long distance caregiving by staff writer no date

Keywords: Moving in move in long distance caregiving

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

Try: Make a list of family friends and neighbors and their phone numbers and addresses ask if you can check in with them to find out how cr is doing they may be willing to stop by cr’s home for regular visits try getting a calendar or daily planner to write down when friends family neighbors are going to be checking in on cr try to keep in contact with cr’s doctor and make sure he she has your contact

Materials: Pen and paper calendar or daily planner

Categories: Sage, Topic, Maintenance, Medical Physical, Personal

Information: In case there are concerns about cr cr’s mental or physical well-being ask cr if he she wants to sign a release of information so his her doctor is free to communicate with you try checking with local churches temples neighborhood groups and volunteer organizations they may provide meal delivery transportation or companion services try checking with aging agencies for example you may be able to access services to help cr with meals chores and transportation through your local area agency on aging to locate your area agency call the eldercare locator toll-free at 1 800 677 1116 or visit the eldercare locator website consider looking into home care services home health care workers can help cr with bathing personal care activities preparing meals and taking medications

References: Adapted from www alz org long distance caregiving by staff writer no date

Keywords: Long distance caregiving assess care needs lives alone

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

Try: Try making appointments with cr’s physician lawyer and financial adviser during your visit to participate in decision-making try meeting with neighbors friends and other relatives to hear how they think cr is doing ask if there have been any behavioral changes health problems or safety issues try to take time to reconnect with cr by talking listening to music going for a walk or participating in activities you enjoy together try to check cr’s cupboards and refrigerator to make sure there is enough appropriate food try to review cr’s medications to make sure they are being taken as prescribed

Materials: n/a

Categories: Sage, Topic, Maintenance, Medical Physical, Personal, Social

Information: In case there are concerns about cr cr’s mental or physical well-being ask cr if he she wants to sign a release of information so his her doctor is free to communicate with you try checking with local churches temples neighborhood groups and volunteer organizations they may provide meal delivery transportation or companion services try checking with aging agencies for example you may be able to access services to help cr with meals chores and transportation through your local area agency on aging to locate your area agency call the eldercare locator toll-free at 1 800 677 1116 or visit the eldercare locator website consider looking into home care services home health care workers can help cr with bathing personal care activities preparing meals and taking medications

References: Adapted from www alz org long distance caregiving by staff writer no date

Keywords: Long distance caregiving assess care needs lives alone

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

Try: Encourage cr to be open with friends and family about his her memory loss issues that are taking place educate them about memory loss and tell them how they can be supportive to cr call or visit cr every day and make sure he she gets the assistance needed such as help with housekeeping meals transportation bill paying and other daily chores try to put home safety measures in place and be aware of any changes that would indicate the need for additional supervision or care

Materials: n/a

Categories: Sage, Topic, Maintenance, Medical Physical, Personal, Long-Term Memory, So-So L T Memory, Poor L T Memory, Short-Term Memory, So-So S T Memory, Poor S T Memory

Information: n/a

References: Adapted from www alz org early-stage caregiving by staff writer no date

Keywords: Memory loss forgetful forgets routine medication management planning organizing

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

Try: Try to help cr keep appointments by suggesting that he she write them down on a calendar or post sticky notes where he she will notice them avoid criticizing cr when he she has trouble remembering words or names try saying something like did you mean your nephew david try to help cr recall familiar places or people by saying you play bridge with ruth on wednesdays at the community center suggest that cr ask his her bank to set up check drafts to automatically pat his her bills for him her or ask cr if he she would like you to balance his her checkbook for him her try to help cr keep track of his her medications by making a list of them and when they should be taken or use a calendar to write down the days times amounts that each medication should be taken have cr cross off the day after taking the medication just in case he she can’t remember if he she took his her medication try putting adhesive labels on the washer and dryer and in the bathroom to help cr become more oriented with what and where things are try making a list of daily chores in a schedule type format so that cr can better manage his her day suggest that cr use a daily planner to help him her plan or organizing his her daily tasks

Materials: Calendar sticky notes and pen or marker daily planner

Categories: Sage, Topic, Maintenance, Medical Physical, Personal, Long-Term Memory, So-So L T Memory, Poor L T Memory, Short-Term Memory, So-So S T Memory, Poor S T Memory

Information: n/a

References: Adapted from www alz org early-stage caregiving by staff writer no date

Keywords: Memory loss forgetful forgets routine medication management planning organizing

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

Try: When thinking about how to organize cr’s day consider what activities work best which don’t why keep in mind that the success of an activity can vary from day-to-day are there times when there is too much going on or too little to do are spontaneous activities enjoyable for cr and easily completed try to avoid being concerned about filling every minute of cr’s day with an activity cr needs a balance of activity and rest and he she may need more frequent breaks and varied tasks

Materials: n/a

Categories: Sage, Topic, Maintenance, Medical Physical, Personal, Independence, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision, Cognitive Awareness, Somewhat Aware, Unaware, Long-Term Memory, So-So L T Memory, Poor L T Memory, Short-Term Memory, So-So S T Memory, Poor S T Memory

Information: n/a

References: Adapted from www alz org creating a daily plan by staff writer no date

Keywords: Daily routine schedule activities of daily living organizing planning problem solving managing

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

Try: Try to consider cr cr’s likes dislikes strengths abilities and interests try to consider how cr used to structure his her day try to consider what times of day cr functions best try to schedule ample time for meals bathing and dressing try to allow enough time in the schedule for the regular times for waking up and going to bed especially helpful if cr experiences sleep issues or sun downing try to make sure to allow for flexibility within cr’s daily routine for spontaneous activities

Materials: n/a

Categories: Sage, Topic, Maintenance, Medical Physical, Personal, Independence, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision, Cognitive Awareness, Somewhat Aware, Unaware, Long-Term Memory, So-So L T Memory, Poor L T Memory, Short-Term Memory, So-So S T Memory, Poor S T Memory

Information: n/a

References: Adapted from www alz org creating a daily plan by staff writer no date

Keywords: Daily routine schedule activities of daily living organizing planning problem solving managing

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

Try: Try to keep cr cr’s skills and abilities in mind cr may be able to play simple songs learned on the piano years ago try to bring these types of skills into daily activities try to pay special attention to what cr enjoys try to take note when cr seems happy anxious distracted or irritable for example some people enjoy watching sports while others may be frightened by the pace or noise consider if cr begins activities without direction for example does cr set the table before dinner or sweep the kitchen floor mid-morning if so you may wish to plan these activities as part of the daily routine try to be aware of physical problems for example does cr get tired quickly or have difficulty seeing hearing or performing simple movements try to focus on enjoyment not achievement try to find activities that build on remaining skills and talents for example if cr was a professional artist he she might become frustrated over the declining quality of work but an amateur might enjoy a new opportunity for self expression encourage cr to get involved in daily life for example activities that help cr feel like a valued part of the household , like setting the table , can provide a sense of success and accomplishment try to relate to cr’s past work life for example a former office worker might enjoy activities that involve organizing like putting coins in a holder or making a to-do list a farmer or gardener may take pleasure in working in the yard try to look for favorites for example if cr always enjoyed drinking coffee and reading the newspaper may still find these activities enjoyable even if he she is not able to completely understand what the newspaper says consider time of day you may find cr has more success with certain activities at specific times of day such as bathing and dressing in the morning try to adjust activities to stages of memory loss for example you may want to introduce more repetitive tasks if you start to notice cr’s memory is fading try to be prepared for cr to eventually take a less active role in activities

Materials: n/a

Categories: Sage, Topic, Maintenance, Medical Physical, Personal, Social, Independence, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision, Cognitive Awareness, Somewhat Aware, Unaware, Long-Term Memory, So-So L T Memory, Poor L T Memory, Short-Term Memory, So-So S T Memory, Poor S T Memory

Information: n/a

References: Adapted from www alz org activities by staff writer no date

Keywords: Activities

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

Try: Help get the activity started offer support and supervision you may need to show cr how to perform the activity and provide simple easy-to-follow steps concentrate on cr not the result does it matter if the towels are folded properly not really what matters is that you were able to spend time together and that cr feels as if he she has done something useful try to be flexible when cr insists that he she doesn’t want to do something it may be because he she can’t do it or fears doing it don’t force it if cr insists on doing it a different way let it happen and change it later if necessary try to assist with difficult parts of the task if you’re cooking and cr can’t measure the ingredients finish the measuring and say would you please stir this for me try to let cr know he she is needed for example you might try asking could you please help me be careful however not to place too many demands on cr try to stress a sense of purpose if you ask cr to make a card he she may not respond but if you say that you’re sending a special get-well card to a friend and invite him her to join you cr may enjoy working on this task with you try to avoid criticizing or correcting cr if cr enjoys a harmless activity even if it seems insignificant or meaningless to you encourage him her to continue encourage self expression include activities that allow cr a chance for expression these types of activities could include painting drawing music or conversation try to involve cr through conversation while you’re polishing shoes washing the car or cooking dinner talk to cr about what you’re doing even if cr cannot respond he she is likely to benefit from your communication try substituting an activity for a behavior if cr rubs his her hand on a table provide a cloth and encourage cr to wipe the table or if cr is moving his her feet on the floor play some music so he she can tap to the beat try again later if something isn’t working it may just be the wrong time of day or the activity may be too complicated try again later or adapt the activity to cr’s mood or energy level for example instead of helping you rake the yard suggest that cr sit and fold clothes

Materials: n/a

Categories: Sage, Topic, Maintenance, Medical Physical, Personal, Independence, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision, Cognitive Awareness, Somewhat Aware, Unaware, Long-Term Memory, So-So L T Memory, Poor L T Memory, Short-Term Memory, So-So S T Memory, Poor S T Memory

Information: n/a

References: Adapted from www alz orgactivities by staff writer no date

Keywords: Household chores cleaning washing dishes doing laundry

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