Try: Encourage the cr to implement the following recommendations find things to do that you enjoy and are able to do safely on your own try to accomplish tasks during the times of the day when you feel the best allow yourself enough time to do the things you need to do don’t feel rushed and don’t let other people rush you take a break if something gets too difficult ask for help if you need it

Materials: n/a

Categories: Maintenance, Medical Physical, Personal, Somewhat Aware, Unaware, So-So L T Memory, Poor L T Memory, So-So S T Memory, Poor S T Memory

Information: Phone numbers names ideas appointments your address and directions to your home place sticky notes around the house when you need to remember things try to label cupboards and drawers with words or pictures that describe their contents place important phone numbers in large print next to the phone ask a friend or family member to call and remind you of important things that you need to do in the day like meal times medication times and appointments use a calendar to keep track of time and to remember important dates use photos of people you see often labeled with their names keep track of phone messages by using an answering machine

References: Adapted from www webmd com alzheimer alzheimer’s disease tips for maintaining a normal life by brunilda nazario 2011

Keywords: Planning housework tasks routine problem solving

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

Try: When cr cr’s groceries are being bagged suggest that he she request that perishables be bagged together then when cr gets home only the perishables bag must be put away as soon as possible while the other items can wait until cr feels less tired another option is to have someone shop for cr or to order online if that is available where cr lives look into getting cr a handicapped parking sticker this can save cr energy by enabling him her to park closer to the store

Materials: n/a

Categories: Sage, Topic, Maintenance, Medical Physical

Information: n/a

References: Adapted from www care com caring for seniors with breathing problems by staff writer no date

Keywords: Shopping grocery groceries breathing problem lungs respiratory oxygen fatigue tired energy

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

Try: Suggest that cr try eating fewer carbohydrates and more fats to help him her to breathe more easily also to maintain healthy respiratory muscles suggest that cr try to eat protein at least twice a day suggest that cr try eating several small meals during the day as opposed to three large ones to help cr cr’s breathing a full stomach presses against the diaphragm preventing the lungs from filling completely digesting a large meal pulls blood and oxygen to the stomach and away from the lungs where it is more needed suggest that cr eat more calories since breathing uses up a great deal of cr cr’s energy try looking on line at the american lung association website their website provides some recipes that can be especially helpful for lung patients

Materials: n/a

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

Information: n/a

References: Adapted from www care com caring for seniors with breathing problems by staff writer no date

Keywords: Low energy breathing problems lungs respiratory oxygen

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

Try: Suggest that the cr try bundling activities the cr would go out to one area at a time and do everything needed in that area while he or she is there suggest that the cr try to use whatever muscles are largest and strongest rather than smaller weaker ones for example carry things with a shoulder bag instead of a hand bag the shoulder bag would use stronger and larger muscles encourage cr to ask for help when it is needed this might be difficult to do at first but should become easier with practice suggest that the cr try to get a handicapped parking sticker this can be obtained from your state state’s registry of motor vehicles the application usually requires a doctor doctor’s signature the handicapped sticker would ensure that cr could always park close to the entrance of the building he or she is going to this may enable the cr to get out more suggest that cr consider other transportation options for example many communities provide rides for seniors otherwise the cr could take a cab or getting a ride from a friend relative or caregiver

Materials: Shoulder bag or back pack

Categories: Maintenance, Medical Physical, Personal, Needs Some Assistance, Needs Much Assistance, Immobile

Information: n/a

References: Adapted from www care com caring for seniors with arthritis by staff writer no date

Keywords: Joints pain in joints swollen joints stiffness stiff back stiff neck gross motor coordination fine motor coordination

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

Try: Try writing the steps down on paper or a large index card here is an example of a cue card for preparing a meal #decide on a menu # count number of people eating # look at the needed ingredients # look in the pantry for what you have # prepare shopping list and shop # follow recipe instructions and organize time # serve and eat meal # clean up

Materials: Pen and paper or large index cards

Categories: Sage, Topic, Maintenance, Medical Physical, Independence, No Supervision, Some Supervision, Cognitive Awareness, Somewhat Aware, 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: traumatic brain injury a guide for caregivers of service members and veterans – module 2 by the office of the u s surgeon general no date available at www traumaticbraininjuryatoz org

Keywords: Preparing meals memory loss disorganized cueing nonverbal cues

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

Try: Try to get cr’s attention when you are trying to teach do or discuss something try to break new

Materials: Pen and paper calendar or notebook personal digital assistant pda wristwatch alarm or cell phone pill box small adhesive labels

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: Down into categories or chunks try to list and review them in order try setting up a routine of daily tasks and follow it try to help cr use memory aids on a regular basis for example try writing down tasks on a calendar or notebook check tasks off when done try using high tech memory aids personal digital assistants pda wristwatch alarms and cell phones can remind cr when to do a task such as taking medication try buying a pill box and labeling each compartment with the time and day that medication should be taken write the names of medications and when to take them into the calendar memory notebook try to keep personal and household items in the same place try to pair new information with things cr is able to recall try to provide verbal cues for recall and help fill in memory gaps try talking to cr about the activities and events of the day to help build his her memory try asking cr to review plans for the following day try to present information in more than one way including hearing seeing and doing each person has a different learning style ask a family member if they know how cr learns best try role playing in order to reinforce new learning

References: traumatic brain injury a guide for caregivers of service members and veterans – module 2 by the office of the u s surgeon general no date available at www traumaticbraininjuryatoz org

Keywords: Memory remembering remember repeats learning

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

Try: Monitor home safety consider monitoring devices and environmental strategies if cr presents a wandering risk use visual cues word picture on doors drawers etc limit choices to between two items to reduce confusion arrange alternative ways of transportation where cr is always accompanied seek professional support for strategies to remove keys for example consider having cr’s physician convey the message to stop driving provide support for cr to process grief anger etc suggest to cr’family that they get emotional support too in order to carry out the strategies if the situation is difficult

Materials: Paper pen tape

Categories: Sage, Topic, Maintenance, Medical Physical, Personal, Independence, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision, Cognitive Awareness, Somewhat Aware, 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: planning guide for dementia care at home a reference tool for care managers by the alzheimer’s association, south central wisconsin chapter the wisconsin alzheimer’s institute and the wisconsin bureau of aging and long term care resources division of disability and elder services department of health and family services 2004 available at www dhs wisconsin gov

Keywords: Driving transportation overwhelmed too many choices safety

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

Try: Use palliative and eventually hospice approach to care involve cr in care as able stimulate remaining body memory for example place cup in cr’s hand as cue to drink encourage cr to hold spoon while being fed and hold wash cloth while being bathed etc implement toileting changing routine while monitoring closely for skin breakdown cr may not be able to communicate discomfort pain if this is occurring

Materials: n/a

Categories: Sage, Topic, Maintenance, Medical Physical, Personal, Mobility, Immobile, 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: planning guide for dementia care at home a reference tool for care managers by the alzheimer’s association, south central wisconsin chapter the wisconsin alzheimer’s institute and the wisconsin bureau of aging and long term care resources division of disability and elder services department of health and family services 2004 available at www dhs wisconsin gov

Keywords: Home care toileting bathing can’t communicate

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

Try: Monitor driving ability by riding as a passenger frequently consider a professional driving evaluation if there are safety concerns better than a licensing road test – cr may be able to focus long enough over a short period of time to pass road test make sure cr is carrying identification and phone numbers of caregivers emergency contacts at all times consider registering cr with safe return program maintain check-in system with cr to be sure cr returns home from appointments encourage cr to go out accompanied by others

Materials: n/a

Categories: Sage, Topic, Maintenance, Medical Physical, Independence, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision, Cognitive Awareness, Somewhat Aware, 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: planning guide for dementia care at home a reference tool for care managers by the alzheimer’s association, south central wisconsin chapter the wisconsin alzheimer’s institute and the wisconsin bureau of aging and long term care resources division of disability and elder services department of health and family services 2004 available at www dhs wisconsin gov

Keywords: Navigation navigating wayfinding driving gets lost confused disoriented lost loses way

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

Try: Identify needs and resources for example medication monitoring personal care services meal services alternate services for handling money activity programs companion care etc monitor for changes in physical or emotional condition when there is a change in function build on cr’s interests and strengths what cr can still do; offer opportunities to use them structure routines and activities around cr’s previous life to provide familiarity and a sense of security

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: planning guide for dementia care at home a reference tool for care managers by the alzheimer’s association, south central wisconsin chapter the wisconsin alzheimer’s institute and the wisconsin bureau of aging and long term care resources division of disability and elder services department of health and family services 2004 available at www dhs wisconsin gov

Keywords: Time warp routine daily care self care time date unaware forgets forgetfulness memory loss

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