Try: Plan rest periods for the cr throughout any planned outdoor activity if breathing becomes more difficult during the activity ask the cr blow out exhale forcibly as if trying to blow out candles on a cake and then rest as soon as possible avoid cr activities in hot humid temperatures

Materials: n/a

Categories: Medical Physical, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision

Information: n/a

References: Adapted from the head to toe llc internet website www headtotoecare com breathing exercise for emphysema and chronic bronchitis 2009

Keywords: Breathing coughs

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

Try: Stand near the edge of the stairs turn walker sideways place both legs on one side of the walker on the first step the other two legs of the walker should be securely positioned on the next step n/a of the four legs should be near the edge of a stair the front bar of the walker should be next to the cr sideways sloping from one step to another place one hand on the banister and the other hand on the higher hand grip of the walker push straight down on the handle and banister for balance taking weight off the weak leg step up with the stronger leg first then bring up the weaker leg if cr is going downstairs he should step down with the weaker leg first then bring down the stronger leg to meet it once cr has navigated the stairs he should hold on to the banister while je she gets the walker back in front of him regain balance before walking forward

Materials: n/a

Categories: Sage, Topic, Medical Physical, Mobility, Needs Some Assistance, Needs Much Assistance

Information: n/a

References: how to safely use a walker by amber keefe available at

Keywords: Walker stairs balance

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

Try: Try using a wheelchair back support ask a wheelchair vendor for advice or help in choosing the right one

Materials: Wheelchair back support

Categories: Medical Physical, Needs Some Assistance, Needs Much Assistance

Information: n/a

References: Adapted from the national cargiving institute internet site www nationalcaregivinginstitute org wheelchair comfort tips no date

Keywords: Wheelchair back pain back support

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

Try: Try attaching footrest extensions this will help leg and feet circulation and help the cr maintain better posture and more comfortable seating ask a wheelchair vendor for help in choosing and installing them

Materials: Footrest extensions

Categories: Sage, Topic, Medical Physical, Mobility, Needs Some Assistance, Needs Much Assistance

Information: n/a

References: wheelchair comfort tips by national caregiving institute available at

Keywords: Wheelchair foot pain leg pain posture circulation

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

Try: Try using a wheelchair pad to minimize pressure ulcers ask a local wheelchair vendor for help in choosing the right one if cr is incontinent choose a pad that is lined with waterproof material for easier cleaning

Materials: Wheelchair pad

Categories: Sage, Topic, Medical Physical, Mobility, Needs Some Assistance, Needs Much Assistance

Information: n/a

References: wheelchair comfort tips by national caregiving institute available at

Keywords: Wheelchair pressure ulcers

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

Try: Make sure bed is at the lowest level park the wheelchair with the cr’s strongest side next to the bed lock the wheelchair brakes and remove feet from foot rests swing or remove foot rests from wheelchair explain to the cr the sequence of lifting and pivoting into the wheelchair example on the count of 3 i am going to help you stand up and turn to your strong side using the bear hug technique ask the cr to place his arms on the cg’s shoulders as the cg places his arms around the cr’s trunk bracket the cr’s feet with the cg’s feet to prevent slipping using the leg muscles stand up and bring the cr upward in a slow steady rising motion seat the cr on the bed help the cr bring his legs up onto the bed help the cr position himself in a comfortable position

Materials: Nonskid slippers shoes or socks

Categories: Sage, Topic, Medical Physical, Mobility, Needs Some Assistance, Needs Much Assistance

Information: n/a

References: moving from wheelchair to bed by head to toe care llc 2009 available at

Keywords: Wheelchair transferring bed

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

Try: Remove the cap from the metered dose inhaler shake the inhaler for a few seconds place index finger on top of the canister and thumb on the bottom of the mouthpiece tilt head back slightly and breathe out hold the inhaler upright about the width of two fingers from mouth breathe in and out slowly through mouth one time press down on the inhaler as cr breathes in as slowly and deeply as possible – about 3 to 5 seconds if possible hold breath for at least 10 seconds if more than one puff of medication is instructed wait about 1 minute and repeat steps 2-8 replace the cap on the inhaler gargle and rinse mouth with water or mouthwash usually advised only for steroid-type inhalers

Materials: n/a

Categories: Sage, Topic, Medical Physical

Information: n/a

References: Adapted from metered dose inhalers mdis how to use one when you have copd available at

Keywords: Inhalers breathlessness breathing respiratory

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

Try: Begin by looking at breasts in the mirror with shoulders straight and arms on hips look for breasts that are their usual size shape and color breasts that are evenly shaped without visible distortion or swelling dimpling puckering or bulging of the skin a nipple that has changed position or an inverted nipple pushed inward instead of sticking out redness soreness rash or swelling raise arms and look for the same characteristics while at the mirror look for any signs of fluid coming out of one or both nipples this could be a watery milky or yellow fluid or blood feel breasts while lying down using right hand to feel left breast and then use left hand to feel right breast use a firm smooth touch with the first few finger pads of the hand keeping the fingers flat and together use a circular motion about the size of a quarter cover the entire breast from top to bottom side to side , from the collarbone to the top of the abdomen and from the armpit to the cleavage follow a pattern to be sure to cover the whole breast begin at the nipple moving in larger and larger circles until the outer edge of the breast is reached the cr can also move fingers up and down vertically in rows as if mowing a lawn this up-and-down approach seems to work best for most women be sure to feel all the tissue from the front to the back of the breasts for the skin and tissue just beneath use light pressure; use medium pressure for tissue in the middle of the breasts; use firm pressure for the deep tissue in the back when the deep tissue is reached the cr should be able to feel down to her ribcage feel the breasts while you are standing or sitting many women find that the easiest way to feel their breasts is when their skin is wet and slippery so they like to do this step in the shower cover the entire breast using the same hand movements described in step 4

Materials: n/a

Categories: Sage, Topic, Medical Physical, Gender, Female

Information: n/a

References: Adapted from the five steps of a breast self-exam available at

Keywords: Breasts breast exam

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

Try: Perform the exam during or right after a hot shower or bath examine one testicle at a time use both hands to gently roll each testicle with slight pressure between the fingers place thumbs over the top of the testicle with the index and middle fingers of each hand behind the testicle and then roll it between the fingers the cr should be able to feel the sperm-carrying tube which feels soft rope-like and slightly tender to pressure and is located at the top of the back part of each testicle this is a normal lump remember that one testicle usually the right one is slightly larger than the other for most guys , this is also normal when examining each testicle feel for any lumps or bumps along the front or sides lumps may be as small as a piece of rice or a pea check for any swelling lumps or changes in the size or color of a testicle or pain or achy areas in the groin

Materials: n/a

Categories: Sage, Topic, Medical Physical, Gender, Male

Information: n/a

References: testicular self-examination by t ernesto figueroa 2009 available at

Keywords: Testicle groin

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

Try: Ask the cr to use the following procedures to go up the satirs with the cane provide coaching and support as the cr tries this out #stand in front of the first step #grip the handrail firmly if possible #place good foot on the stair make sure to leave plenty of room for the other foot and the cane cane’s tip #place the tip of the cane on the stair #lean on the cane and the handrail for support #bring the weak leg up and rest the foot on the stair #repeat the process beginning with the stronger or uninjured leg until you reach the top of the stairs

Materials: n/a

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

Information: n/a

References: Adapted from the intenet website www ehow com how to use a cane on stairs by katie leigh no date

Keywords: Stairs cane

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