Try: Ask the cr to use the following procedures to go down the stairs with the cane provide coaching and support as the cr tries this out #stand at the top of the stairs and grip the handrail firmly if possible #place the tip of the cane on the first stair #be sure to leave enough room for feet #bring the weaker leg down to the first stair #step down with the good leg and then rest the foot next to the weaker foot #continue down the stairs in this fashion leading with the weak leg #be sure to use the cane and the handrail for support if possible #going down stairs can be trickier than going up stairs so ask for help if it is too difficult at first

Materials: n/a

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

Information: n/a

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

Keywords: Stairs cane balance

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

Try: Remove any allergens from the area including dust mites and pet dander ensure the cr drinks eight ounces of fluids each day to avoid dehydration and flush out any allergens in the body make sure the cr’s living area has plenty of moisture in the air consider running a humidifier daily keep tissues and warm compresses handy to alleviate nose pain use vaseline or moisturizer to prevent skin irritations

Materials: Humidifier tissues warm compresses vaseline or moisturizer

Categories: Medical Physical, Some Supervision

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: Allergies allergens runny nose dander physical functions

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

Try: A change in the cr’s diet can help prevent gas help the cr to choose foods that do not irritate the bowels and cause gas encourage the cr to avoid excessive amounts of beans cheese and foods high in carbohydrates encourage the cr to avoid carbonated beverages suggest that the cr eat smaller meals throughout the day instead of 3 large meals ensure the cr drinks eight ounces of water each day

Materials: n/a

Categories: Medical Physical, Personal, Some Supervision

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: Gas diet food physical function irritable bowels

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

Try: Make sure the cr has proper posture if at all possible sitting up straight can make drooling less of an issue if sitting in a recliner make sure the cr’s head and back are in a good position excessive drooling can cause dehydration make sure the cr gets plenty of fluids keep tissues close by and moisturize the area around the mouth frequently to avoid skin issues

Materials: Tissues moisturizer

Categories: Medical Physical, Some Supervision, Fully Aware, Somewhat Aware

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: Drool salivate saliva posture physical functions

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

Try: Place warm compresses on the cr’s eyes for several minutes several times a day keep tissues handy to wipe away moisture excessive watering of the eyes can actually be caused by dryness try applying artificial tears to the cr’s eyes several times a day to see if the problem clears up

Materials: Warm compress tissues artificial tears

Categories: Medical Physical, Some Supervision, Fully Aware, Somewhat Aware

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: Allergies allergens eyes eye problems eyesight physical functions

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

Try: Have vision or glasses examined rapid visual deterioration is unusual but so are regular eye exams visual impairment easily leads to misinterpretation of the environment having hearing tested or hearing aid regularly serviced diminished hearing also leads to ‘hearing noises’ that are unintelligible which in turn lead to ‘auditory hallucinations ‘ seek a medical evaluation to assess for illness infection chronic pain or bowel impaction seek a psychiatrist’s evaluation of paranoia delusions and hallucinations try to change the cr’s social environment if he is isolated this could reduce the symptoms caused by isolation

Materials: n/a

Categories: Medical Physical

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: Try using a straw to help the cr swallow pills put the pill in the straw place straw in the cr’s mouth allow pill to drop down cr’s throat give cr a glass of room temperature water to drink

Materials: Drinking straw glass of room temperature water

Categories: Medical Physical, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision, Fully Aware, Somewhat Aware

Information: n/a

References: Adapted from the post polio network of washington inc internet website www members upaway com tips for swallowing no date

Keywords: Swallow swallowing mouth medication pills

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

Try: Use a straw for thin liquids like water tea fruit juice cool drinks avoid really cold foods and liquids because they often feel more slippery in the mouth and are more difficult to control stick with warm or hot foods and liquids because they are easier to swallow

Materials: Drinking straw

Categories: Sage, Topic, Medical Physical

Information: n/a

References: tips for swallowing by post polio network of washington inc available at

Keywords: Swallow swallowing mouth food eating nutrition chewing drinking liquids

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

Try: Turn the cr cr’s head to the stronger side of the body when he or she is swallowing this closes off the weaker side and allows the stronger muscles to complete the swallowing action

Materials: n/a

Categories: Medical Physical, Personal, Fully Aware, Somewhat Aware

Information: n/a

References: Adapted from the post polio network of washington inc internet website members upnaway com tips for swallowing no date

Keywords: Swallow swallowing mouth food eating nutrition chewing

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

Try: Close mouth before swallowing this helps to create a vacuum which helps the swallowing process avoid foods that have seeds nuts crumbly bits or require lots of chewing like peas cucumber coconut lettuce raw carrot steak nuts etc avoid problem foods or prepare so easier to swallow peeled apple blended carrot combine custard with cake puree soup mince meat

Materials: n/a

Categories: Sage, Topic, Medical Physical

Information: n/a

References: tips for swallowing by post polio network of washington inc available at

Keywords: Swallow swallowing mouth food eating nutrition chewing

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