Try: #take the label off the tea jug and use the permanent ink marker to write for bathroom use only on the jug #direct the cr to urinate into the jug if necessary assist the cr the first several times by prompting him to hold the penis at the base with the head of the penis extending into the jug #when the cr is finished urinating blot any wetness around the jug with the paper paper and push the toilet paper into the jug prompt the cr to gently remove his penis from the mouth of the jug assist if necessary in blotting any wetness from the penis set the jug to the side and help the cr readjust his clothes #take the jug to the bathroom and flush the contents into the toilet fill it partially with water from the tub tap and a mild soap then swirl the mixture and empty it into the toilet #wash hands thoroughly after the process and give the cr hand sanitizer to use if he is unable to wash his hands any other way

Materials: Gallon-sized empty plastic tea jug with wide mouth paper towels toilet papers hand sanitizer permanent ink marker mild soap

Categories: Medical Physical, Gender, Male, Mobility, Needs Much Assistance, Cognitive Awareness, Fully Aware, Somewhat Aware

Information: n/a

References: n/a

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

Try: #encourage the cr to maintain good posture to prevent tension #have the cr sit or lie in a comfortable position to relax the neck muscles #provide a relaxing environment with minimal noise and soft lighting #apply heat to the neck with the heating pad or microwaveable neck roll heating pads and neck rolls can be found at most pharmacies do not overheat the neck roll in the microwave #apply an analgesic cream to the muscles of the neck with a gentle massaging motion #roll a rolling pin gently over the cr cr’s neck shoulders and shoulder blades if the cr can tolerate it

Materials: Heating pad or microwaveable neck roll analgesic cream rolling pin

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

Information: n/a

References: n/a

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

Try: #set up a music player and a selection of natural sound recordings or music the cr enjoys #offer the headphones to the cr so he or she can listen to the music or nature sounds without the distraction of loud noise from television conversation children or traffic #when tinnitus has begun occurring frequently keep the level of external noise level and low #the annoying or disturbing aspects of tinnitus can sometimes be lessened by low levels of steady background noise such as is made by household appliances or fans

Materials: Headphones music player music or nature recordings background noise from household appliances or fans

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

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: #the cr sits barefoot in a chair that allows his or herfeet to reach the floor #the caregiver places the washcloth under the cr cr’s foot making sure much of it is under the area between the toes and the ball of the foot #the cr grabs the cloth with the toes lifts and holds the cloth with the toes and then relaxes the toes to drop the cloth on the floor again #the exercise is repeated five to ten times #make a goal of holding the washcloth with the toes for longer and longer periods of time the caregiver can watch the time on a watch or clock with a second hand #look for other exercises that can improve balance through muscle strength and flexibility

Materials: Chair washcloth watch or clock

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: #the bridging exercise can be done by the cr with help from the caregiver #the cr lies on his or her back with feet on the bed and knees pointing up #the caregiver supports the knees that is weak from the stroke to keep it upright and in place #the cr lifts his or her buttocks above the bed and holds them in this position for five seconds this position makes the cr cr’s body look a little like a bridge which is why the exercise is called a bridging exercise #while the cr is in the bridge position the caregiver can slide a bed pan under the cr or assist in pulling clothes over the hips or buttocks #while a cr is in need of assistance in this position look for adult disposable underwear diapers that fasten on the sides rather than being pulled up side-fasteners will make changing a soiled diaper less messy than drawing them all the way down the cr cr’s legs #doing the exercise improves the cr cr’s trunk muscles it may take some practice for the cr to be able to hold the position for five seconds once that goal is reached set a goal of holding the position for a longer period of time

Materials: Caregiver adult disposable underwear diaper if necessary pajamas or clothes bed pan

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

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: #make sure the medications are safe to crush some medications are prepared in doses specifically meant to be taken whole if necessary ask the prescribing doctor if a required medication is available in a crushable form or dose #let the Care recipient (cr) know what you are doing with the medication and why #mix crushed medication in applesauce ice cream or pudding you can find these in sugar-free varieties if necessary add all the medication in at once stir and serve #alternatively some caregivers have found when feeding crs that it is useful to give the first spoonful of pudding ice cream or applesauce without any medication in it then to proceed with the mixture they recommend finishing with a plain spoonful as well to help clear any aftertaste

Materials: Crushed medication pudding ice cream applesauce

Categories: Medical Physical, 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: #without letting the cr go to bed thirsty try limiting amount and kinds of fluids after dinner in particular caffeinated drinks and alcohol #maker sure cr visits the bathroom just before going to bed #encourage decreasing or eliminating caffeinated beverages switch to decaffeinated options for coffee tea or soda #consider the distance the cr must travel between bed and toilet at night incontinence pads or incontinence underwear may catch fluid leaks or a bedside commode may help a cr who is unable to quickly walk the distance if the need to urinate arises suddenly #use diet or fiber supplements to make sure the cr is having regular soft bowel movements gas bloating and pressure from constipation may sometimes contribute to pressure on the bladder causing some incontinence

Materials: Bedside commode fiber supplements incontinence pads or pull-ups

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: #use scissors to cut across the top of the toe portion of the sock turning the sock into a tube #assist if necessary to slide the cr cr’s arms into each sock toe end first adjust the sock so the heel portions cover the cr cr’s elbows make sure the socks are not tight enough to leave marks on the cr cr’s skin or to constrict the blood flow through the arm #this tip may be useful for a cr who has the mobility to move his or her arms and shoulders fairly freely and to sensations of discomfort in the hands arms or shoulders do not use this tip for someone unable to feel sensation or respond to discomfort in these areas

Materials: Two soft cotton athletic socks scissors

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

Information: n/a

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Keywords: n/a

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

Try: #regular nail care can prevent serious injury from scratching file fingernails and toenails short and smooth any rough edges #avoid using nail clipper as they can cause splitting and cracking of the nails and injury to the nail bed #don’t clip toenails yourself if a Care recipient (cr) is in fragile health toenails should only be clipped by a podiatrist or nurse #keep toenails clean with a brush and a nail care kit and keep the edges smooth between visits to a podiatrist or nurse #moisturize the hands with cream and use tube socks or stretchy cotton winter gloves on the hands to seal in moisturizer and limit impact of scratching moisturing mitts sold in drug stores are also an option don’t use tube socks if the cr will be dangerously or restrained by them make sure the socks are snug but not too tight #put moisturizing cream on those areas of skin that are often scratched arms legs chest etc

Materials: Nail care products knee-high cotton socks or cotton stretchy gloves or moisturizing mitts moisturizing cream podiatrist foot doctor or nurse

Categories: Medical Physical, Mobility, Needs Some Assistance, Independence, Some Supervision, Cognitive Awareness, Somewhat Aware, So-So L T Memory, So-So S T Memory

Information: n/a

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

Try: #an ulcer is a blister open sore or black spot indicating skin breakdown ulcers are difficult to heal and can be life-threatening so preventing them is the best form of care #if a Care recipient (cr) is at risk of skin breakdown sometimes called bed sores make sure he or she wears clothes that will not put extra pressure against the skin avoid fabrics such as denim or corduroy and look for clothes with few seams zippers or buttons pick soft fabrics that pull sweat away from the body such as cotton or silk in loose-fitting styles and avoid tight waistbands #keep skin clean and moisturized to keep any red or sore areas from becoming sores # provide daily skin care fill two bowls with warm water adding soap to one remove body oil sweat and any urine or fecal matter from the cr’s skin with the soapy water rinse well with the clean water afterwards put a thin layer of lotion over the body do not rub any red areas of skin when you are cleaning or putting lotion on the cr #minimize sores in the mouth by keeping the cr’s teeth gums and insides of cheeks clean with twice-daily brushing or swabbing inside the mouth take care of any dentures #a cr with mouth pain is less likely to eat and drink well and insufficient fluids and nutrition can lead to poor healing if an ulcer forms #if a cr spends a lot of time in bed or in a chair reposition him or her every 2 hours at a minimum to prevent reddened areas from becoming sores make sure the bed or chair he or she is in is adequately cushioned #if a cr has to be in a particular position for longer than two hours assist the cr to lie as flat as possible with pillows supporting the cr’s joints and with bony body parts supported above the bed for example put a flat pillow under the calves to keep the heels from resting directly on the bed or a flat pillow under the crook of the arm to keep the elbow from resting on the bed #use the extra flat sheet to turn the cr fold the flat sheet in half and place it lengthwise across the bed gently pull the sheet from behind the cr with one hand while using the other to pull the cr’s shoulder in the same direction #ulcers may form even with the best of care get help immediately #the caregiver must find time to rest while managing this degree of care

Materials: Caregiver willing to do intimate bathing gentle soap with lotion added 2 bowls several sets of towels and washcloths soft toothbrush swabs lip moisturizer clothing appropriate for immobility sheet and pillowcases extra flat sheet and extra pillows incontinence pads time for caregiver to rest

Categories: Medical Physical, Personal, Mobility, Needs Much Assistance, Immobile, Maximum Supervision

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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