Care recipient (cr) needs to know how to perform a testicular self exam

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

Care recipient (cr) is drooling

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

Care recipient (cr) has watery eyes or tears up frequently

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

Care recipient (cr) has a frequent runny nose

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

Care recipient (cr) passes gas frequently

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

Paranoia delusions and hallucinations are some of the most common symptoms of dementia here are some tips for coping with these symptoms in the Care recipient (cr)

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

Care recipient (cr) has trouble swallowing pills

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

Care recipient (cr) has trouble swallowing

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

Care recipient (cr) is weak on one side of his or her body and finds it hard to swallow food

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

Care recipient (cr) has trouble swallowing foods

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