Try: #locate independent living supplies such as a plate guard and slip-proof placemat online or in medical supply or independent living supply catalogs a plate guard fits over the rim of a plate to allow the cr to push food onto a fork while a slip-proof mat keeps the plate from sliding look for other useful supplies such as cutting aids plate holders for dishwashing and cutting boards in the same places # eating utensils and food preparations supplies that allow a cr to function with one-hand will preserve as much independence as possible #to cut down on unnecessary frustration and when independent living tools are absent caregivers can make sure cold meals are served in finger-sized pieces for example that sandwiches fruits and vegetables are pre-sliced hot meals can also be either pre-cut or served soft enough to be cut with the side of a fork or spoon

Materials: Plate guard slip-proof mat cutting board with suction cup feet

Categories: Medical Physical, Personal, Mobility, Mobile, Needs Some Assistance, Cognitive Awareness, Fully Aware, Somewhat Aware

Information: n/a

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

Try: #introduce the sujbect by stating your feelings about bringing it up for example i feel uncomfortable talking about this and maybe you do too but it it’s important so let let’s try #a cr cr’s behavior may change as a result of incontinence the cr may refuse to leave home begin spending long periods of time in the bathroom look or smell different or be overwhelmed by an increasingly large amount of laundry conversely the cr may be unaware of smells and stains associated with incontinence and may have leaks on car seats furniture or bed linens as a caregiver these issues may affect your willingness to allow the cr into your car or home a frank discussion with the cr may make it possible to use disposable bedliners for your car seat when transporting the cr #introduce the subject in a non-judgmental matter-of-fact way and invite the cr to tell you whether urinary or fecal incontinence is becoming an issue #if you want to make the cr feel more comfortable by telling him or her about your experiences helping someone else with a similar problem make sure you do not name that other person or describe him or her in a way that would allow him or her to be recognized #problem-solve with the cr if possible there are many ways to manage incontinence #the subject is one that you may want to bring up several different ways over a period of time the onset of incontinence is often both embarassing and physically taxing and it may take some time for the cr to become willing to admit there is an ongoing problem

Materials: Compassion matter-of-fact attitude acceptance of the cr cr’s situation willingness to problem-solve

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

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

Try: #crs in need of food cooking or financial aid may be eligible for help through programs serving food to seniors begin a search for resources in your area by contacting your state state’s department on aging which will have a list of your local providers of state-funded programs serving the elderly #call local senior resource centers for a list of all community centers serving meals to seniors for a wider list call the nearest help line for places serving meals to the community regardless of age #while some nutrition programs bring meals to people people’s homes others allow people to gather to share lunch or dinner some churches and centers offer free meals while some commercial nutritional programs offer pre-made meals for a weekly or monthly fee #a case manager from a senior service center may be able to help a caregiver or care recipient locate payment and transportation options as needed

Materials: Contact with senior service agencies list of community centers serving meals

Categories: Medical Physical, Personal, 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: #offer small meals or several snacks throughout the day instead of three meals a day featuring regular-sized portions try three small meals and offer snacks at midday midafternoon and before bed #serve food with high carbohydrate high protein and high nutritional value for example cheese and crackers a serving of cottage cheese and fruit or milk and half a sandwich #add a liquid nutritional supplement to the diet if you or the cr cr’s doctor feel it is necessary read the list of ingredients before buying a canned or powdered supplement many list sugar as a main ingredient ask the cr cr’s doctor about over-the-counter alternatives #turn liquid or powdered nutritional supplements into tasty shakes puddings and pops they can be mixed or blended with fruit yogurt ice cream juice ice or coffee and many can be served at room temperature cooled or frozen read the labels carefully #while drinking fluids throughout the day is important consider whether the cr cr’s style of drinking is limiting appetite that is are large amounts of fluids right before or during meals limiting the cr cr’s interest in eating if so consider changing the times fluids are consumed #the cr may eat better if he or she has a companion at the table during meals a helper may provide company conversation or physical assistance

Materials: Carbohydrates and proteins with high nutritional value liquid nutritional supplements if needed companionship during meals and snacks

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

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Keywords: n/a

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

Try: #keep everything a cr might get up to find or reach for at night within arm’s distance of the cr’s bed #keep a basket on the night table to hold glasses books crossword puzzles crafts a magazine or two cell phone a small packaged snack and any other small thing the cr is likely to want or need #keep an extra blanket or afghan folded at the foot of the bed #keep a lamp with an easily-reached switched within reach of the cr #keep the cr’s slippers where they can be easily seen and reached if the cr needs to get up and go to the bathroom #make sure that the route from the cr bed to the toilet is clear and that light switches are easy to reach if they are not make sure the route is marked by nightlights applies only to

Materials: Night table phone water slippers extra blanket basket lamp with accessible switch lighted route

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

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Keywords: n/a

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

Try: #in a quiet private place ask the cr how he or she is feeling if the cr cr’s answer naturally leads to a discussion about the odor gently and matter-of-factly address it if the topic doesn’t come up then in a neutral open way tell the cr that lately you notice a strong odor on their clothes and that you’re concerned because this is very unusual ask the cr if he or she is having any new health problems or difficulties be concrete don’t just ask are you having trouble cleaning yourself ask are you having trouble wiping yourself after you go to the bathroom an odor may also linger if the cr has trouble doing laundry getting to the bathroom on time or changing clothes daily #make sure the cr’s skin is cleaned and dried every day even if the cr doesn’t take a shower or bath every day #make sure the cr stays in clothes that are clean and dry after an accident assist the cr to remove wet or soiled clothes get cleaned up and change into fresh clothes #handle wet or soiled clothes sheets etc with rubber or latex gloves make sure items are thoroughly laundered presoaking as needed #a sudden change in the color frequency or urgency of urine or feces may be due to the onset of a medical condition or the inability of the cr to manage an existing condition under present conditions explore these issues in a conversation with the cr #assist the cr to describe the problem to a doctor if necessary the cr or caregiver should be prepared to say when the problem began what the problem is and how it affects daily activities such as personal hygiene socializing getting dressed using the bathroom getting to appointments etc #protect beds chairs clothing car seats and skin with towels mattress liners or incontinence products these can be bought in drug stores or ordered through catalogs and online look at continence products in a pharmacy or talk to a medical supply store to begin your search for products #keep in mind that the smell of urine may indicate a cr has reached a new stage in the progression of a condition preventing self-care and at this point may be at risk for serious infection or skin breakdown in addition to signalling a possible change in physical condition lack of self-care in this area may reflect a change in mental health or cognitive ability or a spike in alcohol abuse discussing any of these issues with the cr should be done with honest respect and compassion

Materials: Open accepting attitude by caregiver doctor towels mattress protector incontinence products

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

Information: n/a

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

Try: #listen to the cr about the difficulty he or she is having taking pills and look for options #ask the cr’s doctor or pharmacist if the medications the cr needs are available in liquid form or if the pills prescribed can be crushed if a liquid version of a medication has an unpleasant taste ask if the medication can be added to a food or drink also check before crushing any pill to see whether it is safe to crush break or add it to food some pills and capsules are not made to be broken or taken with food but other versions of the same drug may be available #consider adding the cr’s medication in liquid or mashed form to soft foods applesauce pudding frozen yogurt or ice cream or drinks lukewarm coffee juice or nutritional supplement #some crs will find it easier to swallow in general if food or drinks are slightly thick #a cr with difficulty swallowing pills may have a heightened risk of choking while eating or drinking and may require supervision during meals and snacks

Materials: Mortar and pestle favorite drinks or soft foods consultation with doctor

Categories: Medical Physical, Mobility, Needs Some Assistance, Needs Much Assistance, Independence, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision

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

Try: #to help minimize risk of re-exposure to illness apply the lip balm to a cotton swab and then use the cotton swab to bring the balm to the lips #the cr or the caregiver can lightly pass the cotton swab over the lips discard the used cotton swab after it has touched the lip balm container just once #some crs may enjoy the scent or feeling of a flavored lip gloss which can also be put on with a cotton swab

Materials: Cotton swabs lip balm in a tube or pot flavored lip gloss optional

Categories: Medical Physical, Gender, Male, Female, Mobility, Needs Some Assistance, Needs Much Assistance, Immobile

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Keywords: n/a

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

Try: #begin by trying to figure out why the cr is refusing to take prescribed medication ask or investigate whether the cr is having trouble swallowing or whether the medication is in the form of pills that are too large if the medication is new has the cr been told why it’s necessary in ways that he or she can understand is the cr uncomfortable with or afraid of the medication’s side effects #having a few conversations with the cr and the cr’s doctor or nurse may lead to helpful solutions smaller pills or doses may be prescribed or a pill splitter or crusher may be tried in some cases you may discuss mixing a medication with a food or liquid it is important to consult a medical professional about this as many capsules are not designed to be opened before being swallowed and some pills are not designed to be split #be patient and willing to work with the cr to find a care routine that works irregularities in medication doses may be smoothed out with the help of a regular schedule for meals bedtimes and tooth care all of which are good rituals to which taking pills can be attached for example a morning pill can be taken when teeth are brushed in the morning and an evening pill might be taken when the teeth are brushed in the evening or pill-taking might be linked to meals and be scheduled before or after meals

Materials: Conversation or investigation patience and willingness to find a way regular daily schedule

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

Information: n/a

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Keywords: n/a

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

Try: n/a

Materials: Meal plan fluids without calories supportive environment

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

Information: #a cr’s medical history current situation and personal health goals should be a part of any nutrition or meal plan as these will shape the daily number of meals and snacks and the daily amount of calories carbohydrates fat grams etc considered optimal by the cr’s doctor or nutritionist #talk to a doctor or nutritionist or both about recommended daily carbohydrate and calorie goals for the cr and plan meals snacks and drinks that fit in the framework of those goals #you can’t force change on a cr but you can support good habits setting regular meal times putting all food away between meals making even small amounts of physical activity part of daily life and role-modeling good nutritional and eating behavior yourself are all helpful

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