Try: #attach a brightly-colored length of rope or tape securely between the two front legs of the walker when the cr has trouble starting or continuing to walk forward prompt him or her to walk toward the rope or tape the goal of simply moving toward something refocuses the cr’s attention away from the overwhelming process of thinking through all the steps necessary to walk and often makes forward movement possible again #make sure you have secure the rope or tape in such a way that the cr is unable to trip over it or step on it

Materials: One-and-a-half yards of brightly colored rope or tape walker

Categories: Medical Physical, Mobility, Mobile, Needs Some Assistance, Needs Much Assistance, Independence, No Supervision, Some Supervision, Cognitive Awareness, Fully Aware, Somewhat Aware, Long-Term Memory, Good L T Memory, So-So L T Memory, Poor L T Memory, Short-Term Memory, Good S T Memory, So-So S T Memory, Poor 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: #assess the living room frequently and keep clutter from the floor including stacks of papers or books craft bags or hobby kits toys including animals toys footstools and packages #assess the lighting in the living room by noting the way light works in the room throughout the course of a day and a night are there times when shadow or glare hides furniture obstacles or changes in floor levels if so add shades or blinds to windows to reduce glare and use brighter light bulbs add lamps if necessary look for energy-efficient natural light bulbs designed to stay cool #make sure there are enough electrical outlets next to the seats used by the cr to eliminate or reduce the need for extension cords do not run electrical cords across a walkway path or clearing where it is likely cr will walk; this is particularly important for crs with limited vision or balance problems #remove small throw rugs secure large area rugs to the floor with non-skid strips or pads make the rugs more visible by choosing them in colors that contrast highly with the flooring beneath and around them #use high-contrast color changes in carpeting or other flooring to highlight a change in the level of a floor or the type of a flooring surface #assess whether the the cr can get in and out of the seating in the living room easily soft squashy seating may need to be stiffened by the insertion of plywood boards beneath the cushions chairs that are too low may pose problems for crs with hip problems while seating that is too high may cause problems for crs with balance or circulation problems sofa heights may be raised with furniture leg risers or lowered with removal of castors or legs #if the cr is blind or has low vision teach family friends and workers to keep and return items to their assigned places including furniture for example always push chairs up against tables and never leave cleaning supplies packages vacuums etc on the floor the consequences of not seeing furniture or tripping over something on the floor could be life-threatening to a cr who is blind or has low vision

Materials: Brighter light bulbs glare-reducing shades non-skid strips or pads for under rugs high-contrast colored area rugs firm furniture with seating at appropriate height for Care recipient (cr) plywood boards or furniture leg risers if needed

Categories: Medical Physical, Mobility, Mobile, Needs Some Assistance, Independence, No Supervision, Some Supervision, Vision, Good Vision, So-So Vision, Poor Vision

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: #assess the areas outside the home for features such as lighting potential obstacles sidewalk or pathway quality and accessibility of approach to the front and side doors if helpful navigate the outer areas of the house with the cr cr’s assistive device for example a walker or cane to help identify uneven slippery narrow or unstable walking surfaces and potential barriers uneven steps cracks in pavement or cement and loose handrails may increase the risk of falls #assess the outdoor lighting over any sidewalks driveways entrances or other routes of passage during daylight and evening hours make sure access routes around the house are well lit consider highlighting steps with glow-in-the-dark tape or outlining paths with solar-powered lights #if handrails are in place make sure they are sturdy not loose and wobbly choose handrails that are solidly constructed and consider sinking them into holes filled with cement #make sure that hoses garden supplies outdoor furniture toys grills ladders and tools are kept off of access routes around the house #keep the most accessible route between the house and a source of transportation free and clear of leaves water snow and ice so there is always a way to get the Care recipient (cr) in or out of the home #look for solutions to making accessible and affordable home modifications online and at the library also many towns and cities have neighborhood service departments whose staff members may also be helpful in directing you to local resources including accessibility grants for low-income households

Materials: Glow-in-the-dark tape solar-powered garden lights handrails and cement accessible home modification resources

Categories: Medical Physical, Mobility, Needs Some Assistance, Independence, Some Supervision, Vision, Good Vision, So-So Vision, Poor Vision

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: #remove clutter and obstacles from all stairs halls and routes of access in the home #leave a clear path wide enough for the cr to navigate easily between rooms and furniture used by the cr make sure the path is wide enough to allow use of a cane walker or wheelchair if the cr uses one of these and consider whether the path would allow access to rescue workers in the event of an emergency #use a tape measure to measure the width of a wheelchair or walker from its widest outer features on one side to another to determine whether an assistive device will fit through a doorway or hall wheelchair sizes usually reflect the diagonal width of their cushions not their width including arms bolts etc #minor modifications can be made to walkers or doorframes that can make the walker narrower or the doorframe wider allowing the cr to use a walker throughout the house #remove the inside trims of a doorframe and switch a wheeled walker’s wheels from the outside to the inside of the frame to gain an extra bit of space you will have to move the left wheel to the inside right of the frame and the right wheel to the inside left if you do not have the proper tools ask for help at a physical therapy department or hardware store #try to keep at least five square feet of clear floor space for the cr to turn around in at points on an access route or in a room where the cr is likely to need to change direction or position this will allow a cr with poor balance or limited flexibility to walk rather than pivot in a new direction #secure area rugs with non-skid backing remove scatter rugs or provide non-skid backing for them; it is available at do-it-yourself hardware stores #for cr’s with vision difficulties apply a high-contrast color of duct tape to uncarpeted stairs you will have to determine with the safest way to place the tape which may depend on the steps and the cr’s vision needs a strip of tape horizontally placed along the outfacing wall of the step may be helpful with an additional strip at the base of the staircase

Materials: Tape measure high-contrast colored duct tape hammer claw non-skid rug backing

Categories: Medical Physical, Mobility, Mobile, Needs Some Assistance, Vision, Good Vision, So-So Vision

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: The following steps may be taken by the cr recovering from hip fracture you may be able to help with some of the steps the cr cr’s desire for independence will have to be weighed against considerations of safety #when dressing sitting and rising keep the doctor doctor’s instructions regarding bending over the hips in mind bending over the hips and crossing a leg over the body body’s center line may re-injure a hip #moving with the aid of the walker gather clothes from the closet or drawers and place them in the walker walker’s basket use a reacher to to grab shoes or clothes you would otherwise have to stretch or bend for #sit on the bed with clothes reacher sock donner and walker close at hand sit with both legs over the edge of the bed #using the reacher and without overbending put underwear on the floor front side facing up and use the reacher to pull them up around the feet until they are close enough to be pulled to the thighs #repeat with pants stand to bring underwear and pants the rest of the way over hips or recline and shift them up a bit at a time #socks are placed on the sock donner an extended tubelike tool that opens the socks so the feet can be fed into them once a foot is in the sock the reacher can be used to adjust the socks the reacher can also be uses to grab shoes and guide them over heels if necessary once a shoe is on a foot a reacher may be used to loosen or tighten a velcro shoe strap again care must be taken not to lean too far forward over the hips even while using the reacher #reachers walkers sock donners and velcro-closing shoes can be ordered from medical supply stores and catalogs or purchased at many pharmacies it is wise to consult with a discharging doctor or physical therapist before buying a walker #wedge-shaped pillows may be suggested by a physical therapist and prescribed by a doctor to keep keep hips from dislocating the pillow may make some activities and care procedures such as bathing turning in bed dressing etc safer

Materials: Walker with basket attachment reacher sock donner shoes with velcro straps instead of laces wedge-shaped pillow if medically recommended

Categories: Medical Physical, Personal, Needs Some Assistance, Needs Much Assistance, No Supervision, Some Supervision, Cognitive Awareness, Fully Aware, Long-Term Memory, Good L T Memory, Short-Term Memory, Good 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: #speak to the pharmacist about the cr cr’s need for large-print materials including labels and instructions for all medications #keep a master lister of all current medications on hand for the cr as prescriptions arrive encourage the cr to check the labels on the bottles against the list and to ask questions about any inconsistencies keep a magnifying glass near the list if helpful to improve the cr cr’s ability to read the detailed

Materials: Pharmacist large-print pill bottle labels large-print list of current medications and their instructions magnifying glass pill box with large print

Categories: Medical Physical, Mobility, Needs Some Assistance, Vision, Poor Vision, Cognitive Awareness, Fully Aware

Information: On the medication labels #pill boxes come in daily weekly or monthly styles if the cr uses pill boxes look for boxes with large print some also come with alarms and talking features so the cr can set one or more reminders to take medication pill boxes with talking features can be found in some pharmacies but may be more easily located in medical supply stores and independent living catalogs talking electronic devices are also available through online vendors serving people who are blind or who have low vision information

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: #purchase small sponge-style hair curlers at any drug store #remove the tubular sponges from their plastic frames #slip the sponges over pens pencils or the handles of knives forks and spoons #the sponges will provide comfortable padding for stiff-jointed fingers they can be rinsed by hand in warm soapy water as necessary and air-dried

Materials: Small sponge hair rollers masking tape or duct tape as needed

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

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: #the caregiver has two things to focus on safe bed mobility and transfer to and from the wheelchair using the transfer board follow these guidelines be certain the cr is properly positioned; elevate the bed rails at appropriate times; position the bedside table so the cr has access to personal items even when the bedrails are raised #before attempting transfers make sure the height of the surfaces being transferred between are the same also make sure both surfaces have been immobilized wheelchair locked bed pressed against a wall etc #to transfer from wheelchair to bed ##position the wheelchair at a right angle next to the bed lock the brakes move the leg or foot rests out of the way and remove the arm rest that is closest to the bed if applicable ##fasten the gait belt around the cr cr’s waist leaving room for two fingers to fit between the cr cr’s waist and the belt gait belts are sold in medical supply stores ##assist the cr to move across the board onto the mattress by holding on to the gait belt during the transfer to provide additional stability to the cr ##assist as needed as the cr moves his or her legs onto the mattress ##remove the transfer board ##assist the cr if necessary to move toward the center of the mattress and to either sit up or lie down #to transfer from bed to wheelchair reverse the process

Materials: Transfer board electric hospital bed wheelchair with removable arms and footrests gait belts

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

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: #if standing the Care recipient (cr) places his or her hand palm down on a flat surface such as a tabletop or dresser #if sitting the cr places his or her palm against a wall #the cr gently streches the hand increasing the spread of the palm and straightens the fingers if necessary the cr can use the other hand to help by pushing on the fingers or the caregiver may assist #the cr holds the hand stretched out for between five and thirty seconds building up tolerance and flexibility #the exercise can be repeated throughout the day

Materials: Safe comfortable place to stand or sit flat surface

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

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: #place the wheelchair in front of the counter or grab bar and lock the wheels #assist the cr to rise to a standing position and to place hands on grab bars or a sturdy counter #pull the outer garments out of the way up or down #place clean disposable underwear underneath the soiled underwear to catch any leaks when you remove the soiled underwear open the plastic bag #unfasten both sides of the soiled underwear and pull it off the cr through the back drop it immediately into the plastic bag use the flushable wipes to clean the cr cr’s skin wiping from front to back many caregivers find it convenient for the cr to bend over the counter or grab bar and to wipe from the back #pull up and fasten the new pair of disposable underwear #assist the cr back to the wheelchair #tie shut and dispose of the bag with the soiled underwear #make sure the hands of both cr and caregiver are thoroughly washed

Materials: Side-fastening fitted disposable adult underwear diapers bathroom counter or grab bar flushable personal care wipes plastic bag

Categories: Medical Physical, Personal, 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