Try: #select two locations at a fairly great distance from each other in the home between which the cr walks throughout the day for example the kitchen and a back bedroom a front and back door or a utility room and a front hall #put three hundred pennies in an easily-reached bowl in one location and a large plastic jar with its lid removed in the second location place a small notepad and pen near the jar #each time the cr walks from the first to the second location he or she can carry a penny from the bowl to drop into the jar #if you measure the number of feet between the two locations and then divide the number of feet in a mile by that number you will know how much distance the cr is covering as the number of pennies in the jar adds up for example the number of feet in a mile is 5 280 so every 528 feet is one tenth of a mile if the distance between the location of your jar and your bowl is 20 feet 27 one-way trips equal about a tenth of a mile and 270 trips equal about a mile so measure the number of feet between your jar and bowl then divide 528 by that number to get the number of one-way trips you would need to make to walk a tenth of a mile the number of trips it takes to walk a tenth of a mile multiplied by ten equals the number of one-way trips that will equal a mile #use the pennies to mark the number of one way trips the cr makes #encourage or help the cr to use the notepad and pen to mark off the accomplishments that feel inspiring perhaps noting every five trips every tenth of a mile or every mile walked the point is to encourage the cr to recognize the exercise he or she can get just going from place to place indoors and to encourage the cr to add extra walking inside for the fun of reaching personal mile markers

Materials: One large plastic jar 300 pennies one shallow but sturdy medium-sized bowl small notepad and pen

Categories: Medical Physical, Mobility, Mobile, Independence, No Supervision, Cognitive Awareness, Fully Aware

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

Try: #buy a very large balloon at a party supply store it’s a good idea to buy extras #get it filled with helium for indoor or outdoor use but if you plan on using it outdoors it’s also a good idea to have twenty to forty feet of string on hand tie one end of the string to the balloon and the other to a loop around your wrist and that way when you play with the balloon outside it won’t be able to float out of reach the long length of the string will allow you to bat it back and forth with the cr over a good distance #inside or outside push bat swat nudge flip or spike the balloon back and forth between you and the cr if friends or family members are visiting include them in the game the more the merrier #don’t call it exercise it’s fun and few people can resist the lure of a large light ball #the game works well even if the balloon is not filled with helium use a bicycle pump to inflate the balloon or an air balloon pump which are often sold for several dollars at party supply stores

Materials: Several large balloons 36 inches in diameter helium if desired 20 to 40 foot piece of string if helpful

Categories: Medical Physical, Mobility, Mobile, Needs Some Assistance, Independence, No Supervision, Some Supervision

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

Try: #an emergency alert button allows many crs to live in their homes knowing that in the event of a medical emergency they can push a button and let someone know they need help the button is on a small electronic device worn on a cord around the neck or wrist #most emergency alert buttons are meant to be worn twenty-hours a day seven days a week and taken off only in the shower #if a cr keeps taking it off and forgetting to put it on try attaching the alert button to a favorite necklace or watchband that way the cr will be reminded naturally to wear the button each time he or she puts on the necklace or watch #put a small hook at eye level near the location where the cr usually removes the emergency alert button hanging the cord from a hook at eye level may make it more visible to the cr and hanging it near where it is removed will increase the chance that the cr will be in the area to see it #to increase visibility further buy brightly colored cord from a fabric store and thread it through the electronic device; this may also increase the button’s visibility to the cr when it is time to remember to put it back on

Materials: Favorite necklace or watch hook brightly colored cord

Categories: Medical Physical, Independence, No Supervision

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

Try: #place a neatly folded blanket on the seat of a chair that has arms a typical blanket folded in eighths will add about two inches to the seat’s height #if helpful add additional blankets until the cr can sit with hips raised slightly higher than knees this position will be easier to rise from than one in which the hips are sunk below the knees while the cr is seated

Materials: Blanket or blankets quantity will vary with need chair with arms

Categories: Medical Physical, Mobility, Mobile, Independence, No Supervision

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

Try: #experiment with positions during sex or masturbation that do not put stress on the joints use pillows foam pads or foam wedges to support parts of the body as needed #try having sex in the afternoon or evening people with rheumatoid arthritis symptoms say their symptoms often feel severe at these times #have sex regularly if possible studies show that after the activity pain may be relieved for hours #make sure what you do sexually is fun and relaxing for you give yourself time to prepare for your comfort #discuss your needs with your partner or partners #if you have a caregiver remember that you have a right to sex and privacy if you need help preparing for sex it is reasonable to get it #if pain or inability to get appropriate assistance preparing for sex prevent you from having sex look for help find a doctor social worker counselor case manager independent living specialist senior advocate senior ombudsman or disability advocate to talk to the problem may not get fixed overnight but solutions can be found

Materials: Preparation privacy comfort partner optional support pillows foam pads or wedges if helpful

Categories: Medical Physical, Sexuality Intimacy, Mobility, Mobile

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

Try: #water fruits and vegetables encourage healthy bowel movements daily exercise also works to keep the digestive system moving #keep water and juice on hand and make sure the cr is drinking every couple of hours unless fluid intake is medically restricted on doctor’s orders #make sure fruits and vegetables are part of the daily diet prepare and serve them in ways that match the cr’s ability to manage them if swallowing is a problem blend boiled or roasted vegetables and serve them soft or let them grow soft and flavorful simmering in a soup #be mindful of a cr’s ability to swallow or chew and be also take into account the cr’s ability to absorb certain nutrients in conjunction with certain medications #add a fiber supplement to the daily diet these can be bought over-the-counter at the pharmacy #add oatmeal or a hot grain cereal to breakfast #add some nutritional raw bran flakes to moist warm or hot food #switch from white flour products to whole wheat products look for labels that read 100 per cent whole wheat bread hot dog and hamburger buns tortillas and english muffins are all sold in 100 percent whole wheat versions

Materials: Favorite juices fruits and vegetables daily exercise fiber supplement oatmeal or another hot grain cereal bran flakes whole wheat products

Categories: Medical Physical, Personal, Mobility, Needs Some Assistance, Independence, Some Supervision

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

Try: #do not do the following stretching and flexing exercises following hip surgery or another medical procedure unless they have been specifically approved by a doctor or physical therapist familiar with the cr’s immediate medical history and current situation #help the cr practice getting up from and sitting down into a chair or couch several times in a row watch the cr as he or she does this to make sure the cr can get up and down safely and doesn’t overdo it #for hips that feel tight or inflexible the cr can march in place from a seated position lifting knees as high as possible while marching #if the cr’s ankles and knees feel tight or inflexible try these two exercises first while the cr is seated ask him or her to extend one leg forward and then bend it in a swinging motion from the knee swinging it back and forth several times repeat with the other leg second again while the cr is seated ask him or her to extend one leg with the heel on the floor from that position the foot can be flexed by pointing the toes forward toward the ground and then stretched by pointing the toes up toward the ceiling all while keeping the heel on the floor repeat with the other foot

Materials: Chair or couch cr can get out of safely

Categories: Medical Physical, Mobility, Needs Some Assistance, Independence, Some Supervision, Cognitive Awareness, Fully Aware

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

Try: #soak in a bathtub every other day bathing every day may encourage dryness #use a moisturizing soap #after baths put lotion on while skin is still damp #put lotion on the cr’s skin every day #drink plenty of fluids unless restricted by a medical condition #use a humidifier in the home or put a pot of water on a heat source for fifteen minutes at a time every few hours to increase moisture in the environment #use a mild unscented laundry soap that doesn’t contain bleach #help the cr keep fingernails short and buffed so any itching and scratching won’t tear skin

Materials: Moisturizing soaps lotion without alcohol as an ingredient humidifier non-scented laundry detergent

Categories: Medical Physical, Mobility, Needs Some Assistance

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

Try: To lose weight materials spiral-bound notebook cookbook with heart-healthy and low-sugar recipes pitcher or fluid container with liquid measure markings calorie and carbohydrate counter united stated department of agriculture website if desired try #use the notebook as a food journal to record all daily food intake #use the notebook to note the date and results of each blood sugar test ordered by the doctor also use it to record the cr’s weight each time the cr is weighed at the doctor’s office or at home unless a specific health problem such as congestive heart condition requires more frequent weight checks limit weight checks to one a week to avoid over or under reacting to normal weight fluctuations #ask the cr’s doctor for daily calorie sodium and carbohydrate goals for the cr #use a calorie and carbohydrate guide book to keep track of the number of calories sodium and carbohydrate grams being consumed every day adjust meals in a comfortable way so the amounts of calories sodium and carbohydrates recommended by the doctor are met on a daily basis #once you have found some nutritious well-balanced meals that please the cr and meet the target goals preplan menus a week to a month in advance this will streamline grocery shopping cut down on food waste and prevent less desirable food options from entering the home #add daily or weekly activity or exercise to the cr’s schedule make exercise fun take walks at the mall or around the neighborhood play catch with a lightweight giant ball while standing in a pool take yoga or follow along with a light-impact exercise program on tv remember that when the cr burns some calories he or she can eat a few more calories- but don’t overestimate how many calories are actually being burned #put a pitcher with fluid measure markings on the side of it in the refrigerator keeping an eye on what level the fluid sinks to or remains at will help you track the cr’s fluid intake #if you have internet access look at the united states department of agriculture’s website for nutritional

Materials: Baby wipes or unscented bath wipes several washcloths favorite soap small easy-to-carry bucket warm water large towel

Categories: Medical Physical, Mobility, Mobile, Needs Some Assistance, Independence, No Supervision, Some Supervision

Information: Including calories sodium and carbohydrate grams on many foods free online database also exist that allow users to check the nutritional content of items from fast food restaurants chains frozen and prepared foods #get in the habit of reading food labels the basic nutritional information you need is required by law to be printed on the labels of most prepared food information

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

Try: #offer the cr water or ice chips frequently to prevent dehydration or discomfort with medical approval offer alternatives to water such as apple juice #if the cr’s interest in eating and drinking are low offer a few ice chips brought to the cr’s mouth on a spoon spoon in a few ice chips at a time #water or other cool drinks can be given by dropper or syringe position the cr’s head and chest so that the risk of choking is minimized make sure the cr’s head is comfortably upright and bring a dropper or syringe full of liquid to the mouth drop or squirt the fluid gently along the inside of the cr’s cheek unless the cr prefers another location #discuss the kind and amount of liquid to give with the cr’s doctor buy a medicine dropper at a pharmacy or get a large syringe with a prescription from the doctor discuss any trouble you are giving fluids to the cr with a hospice nurse

Materials: Ice chips cool water or hospice-approved flavored drinks medicine dropper or prescription for large syringe

Categories: Medical Physical, Spiritual

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