Try: #find tape 0ften heavy-duty masking tape will do that contrasts in color with the color of the steps #place a strip of tape at the edge of each step running from one side of the stair to the next #the contrasting strip of color at the front edge of each step will help the cr identity the place and spacing of each stair

Materials: Heavy-duty masking tape scissors

Categories: Medical Physical, Mobility, Mobile, Independence, No Supervision, Some Supervision, Vision, Poor Vision

Information: This will not work if the steps are carpeted as the tape may ride on top of the weave creating a tripping hazard

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: #if the cr continues to have difficulty hearing check the hearing aid battery and the placement of the hearing aid in the ear #when speaking to the cr avoid competing with background noise face the cr and speak clearly but don’t exaggerate your lip movements as that will actually make it harder for the cr to read them #make sure the cr isn’t missing critical details in business or a conversation by using a whiteboard and dry-erase markers to write them down then erasing them and using the board to write the answers to questions the cr has about the issues #instead of writing do you understand what i just said write down what you want the cr to understand otherwise it is very easy for people to miscommunicate #encourage the cr to carry a small notepad and pen he or she can offer them to people who are having trouble making themselves heard or understood by the cr during the course of a day #look for a phone that comes with the option of raising the speaker sound some crs may hear better with an increase of volume in the receiver additionally phones designed for people who are deaf or hard of hearing are available through state programs #use markers on index cards to make pictures of frequently-referred to items or to write down frequently-used phrases and questions such as your daughter’s on the phone or have you checked your blood sugar #remember that the cr can’t try harder to hear he or she can use the tools at hand to make the most of the hearing abilities that remain but like many people who acquire disabilities it may take a long time for the cr to accept the reality of a hearing impairment

Materials: Hearing aid battery whiteboard and dry-erase markers notepad and pen amplified phone index cards and markers

Categories: Medical Physical, Independence, Some Supervision, Hearing, Poor Hearing, Cognitive Awareness, Fully Aware, Somewhat Aware

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: #keep an assistive device cane walker on each floor so it doesn’t have to be carried from one floor to the next #if the stairs have a broad landing and the space on it is safe place a study square bench or chair in the corner of it so the cr can pause on the landing for a break while climbing the stairs make sure the seat is positioned so that the cr is in no danger of falling down the stairs because of its presence and make sure the chair or bench are designed for to be seated in and risen from easily

Materials: Two assistive devices sturdy square bench or chair

Categories: Medical Physical, Mobility, Needs Some Assistance

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: #in response to a cr’s or a caregiver’s concerns about safety a doctor or case manager can provide a referral for an emergency alert button worn around the neck on a string the button can be used to summon help if a cr falls or becomes ill #in order for the button to work the cr must have a land line telephone service #emergency alert system representatives call the cr periodically to make sure the service and line are working #some phone bill assistance may be available for cr cr’s with disabilities who accessing certain public programs for low income households

Materials: Referral from doctor or service provider emergency call button land line telephone service

Categories: Medical Physical, Independence, No Supervision

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: #assign a time and color to each pill container for example breakfast red lunch white and dinner blue write breakfast lunch and dinner on the assigned boxes #fill each box with the medications for the week for example put a week’s worth of the medications taken at breakfast time in the red box #explain to the cr that each box corresponds to a different mealtime and should be taken with the meal whose name is written on it #keep the boxes in a location visible and convenient to the cr but safe from small children if they are frequently present #make sure the cr understands the system by asking him or her to explain it to you #make sure other caregivers know what medications are taken and how they are organized #make sure you know who is filling the pill boxes on what day so you can check the box to see how many doses are being taken and if any have been skipped you won’t know how many have been missed if you don’t know when the box was filled if other caregivers are involved they can help monitor the cr’s improvement in taking pills by checking the box when they come on or off a shift

Materials: Three 7-day pill containers in three different colors red blue white black marker thin tip caregivers

Categories: Medical Physical, Mobility, Mobile, Needs Some Assistance, Independence, No Supervision, Some Supervision, Long-Term Memory, Good L T Memory, So-So L T Memory, Short-Term Memory, Good S T Memory, So-So S T Memory

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: #constipation can lead to bloating hardness of stomach area upset stomach and straining more painful serious consequences can occur so do not allow constipation to go unaddressed #prevent or address constipation by adding foods with fiber to the diet and making sure plenty of water is drunk throughout the day starting the morning with prune juice or orange juice may also be helpful #light exercise particularly walking is often helpful at promoting the circulation and muscle movement that help with the digestion of food #provide scheduled time and easy access to a bathroom on a regular schedule people tend to develop habits related to eating and going to the bathroom and a general schedule can help promote regular bowel movements #use of a laxative may be necessary; however make sure directions for use are followed #constipation should be addressed as soon as it becomes noticeable as it may take hours or days to resolve contact a doctor if discomfort pain or abdominal hardness or continue

Materials: Foods with fiber water juice light exercise regular bathroom routine laxatives if necessary or recommended medical advice if necessary

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

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: #ask the cr’s doctor to recommend a liquid nutritional supplement some are sold over-the-counter and some by prescription check the nutrition label of any product you buy over-the-counter especially if the cr has specific health issues such as diabetes or is on medications whose interactions you must also consider #experiment with ways to serve the liquid supplements chilled warm over ice etc combine them with ice cream yogurt pudding pudding mix soda juice fruit etc to make shakes smoothies or floats make sugar-free versions if necessary #try mixing a vanilla supplement with morning coffee or blend a chocolate supplement with ice cubes diet chocolate soda and a couple of tablespoons of diet pudding mix for a frosty shake #serve and use different flavors of supplements and see which ones the cr prefers

Materials: Doctor’s advice liquid nutritional supplement ice cream yogurt pudding soda juice fruit

Categories: Medical Physical, Personal

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: #have a physician assess the cr’s need for evaluation and treatment by an occupational therapist #if necessary an occupational therapist ot may recommend the purchase of hand cones or splints to be used on the cr’s hands during part of the day #the ot may also recommend exercises for the hands encourage the cr to follow through with all of them by being present while they are done and giving verbal praise and support #if hand contractures are just beginning to develop fold a washcloth in half and make a roll out of it starting with a short edge place the roll in the cr’s hands with the cr’s fingers on top and thumbs around the bottom #when using hand cones splints or washcloths look for redness of the skin as this is a warning sign that the devices are causing undue irritation make sure the cr’s fingernails are trimmed so they will not puncture or tear his or her skin as the fingers fold over #provide the cr with adaptive eating utensils flatware with thicker handles will be easier to grasp two handled cups may be easier to hold non-skid placemats will keep plates and cups from sliding out of reaching adaptive eating utensils may be bought through independent living product catalogs and online sites #provide a soft foam ball for the cr to squeeze periodically throughout the day as an exercise to prevent and treat the onset of hand contractures

Materials: Hand cone hand splint foam ball wash cloth non-skid placemats adaptive eating utensils

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

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: #check with the cr to make sure the exercise area’s temperature is comfortable for him or her if necessary adjust the temperature or add a layer of cotton clothing to the cr’s clothes for warmth #before exercising warm the joints with the cloth or heat pack then gently move the cr’s arm or leg at each of the painful joints to determine his or her comfortable range of motion repeat that range of motion five to ten times a session; try to provide exercise sessions two or three times a day #after warming the joints exercise gently then apply warmth to the joint areas again #keep an exercise log and record each session noting how much the cr is able to do and for how long

Materials: Comfortable room temperature heat pack or warm washcloth exercise log

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: #set a regular bedtime and a regular routine for that time of evening #note whether the cr is napping a great deal during the day if so provide the cr with a few more interesting daytime activities including walks and interactions with family members or friends try to cut down the amount of time the cr spends sleeping during the day but do not prevent a cr from napping as needed #avoid serving caffeinated food or drink before bedtime for an evening snack serve plain milk rather than cocoa coffee or alcohol and a serving of cottage cheese or turkey rather than cake or cookies #once in a while give the cr a warm bath about two hours before bedtime make a warm bath more pleasurable by adding an herbal sachet to it do not make this a regular event if the cr has trouble with dry skin as frequent long soaks may aggravate this #make any changes necessary to make sure the cr feels warm and safe in his or her bedroom a cr may be frightened of falling on the way to the bathroom at night make sure there are nightlights in the bedroom hallway and bathroom remove loose rugs and any obstacles on the path between the bed and the toilet if the cr wears socks to bed make sure they have non-skid soles #make sure the cr has a way to alert you or someone else if he or she needs help during the night senior service agencies or the cr’s doctor may provide

Materials: Caffeine-free food and drink warm bath nightlights non-skid socks panic button

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

Information: About a panic button that can be worn around the neck twenty-four hours a day these are particularly useful when a cr lives alone with the push of the button a monitoring service is notified that the cr is in trouble and a response is activated information

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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