Try: #inspect the heels and feet on a daily basis #red spots indicate the start of pressure sores also called pressure ulcers or bed sores when you see a red spot immediately relieve the pressure on the red area of skin #to prevent pressure on the heels from starting a red spot prop a pillow under the calf muscle of each leg to see if you have eliminated pressure that could cause sores on the heels see if you can slide a sheet of paper between the heels and the bed you should be able to if you can’t adjust the pillows and try again do this to relieve pressure on the heel as well if you find a red area #turn and reposition the cr minimally every two hours roll the cr to his or her side and wedge a pillow in on the side so the cr is kept in place reposition the cr at least a quarter of a turn every two hours #redness on the heels usually goes away after a week if noticed and cared for right away consult a doctor if a spot doesn’t heal or appears to get worse

Materials: 2 extra pillows caregiver

Categories: Medical Physical, Mobility, Immobile, Independence, Maximum 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: #pillows and foam pads can be used to help a cr stay in position while lying on either the right or left side #while the cr is lying on one side use a pillow to support the head to stay neutral alignment in relation to the body so the neck is not bent sideways #while the cr is lying on one side place a pillow in the front or back or both of the cr to hold him or her in place #while the cr is lying on one side place a pillow under the top arm to relieve stress on the shoulder #while the cr is lying on one side make sure that the knees are bent a little and place a pillow between them to keep them from rubbing together #while the cr is lying on his or her back use the pillows under the calves to keep the heels from resting directly on the bed #bed sheets can leave abrasions on very delicate skin over the heel and elbow heel and elbow protectors will help prevent skin breakdown caused when crs use their heels or elbows to help reposition themselves a common occurrence #weight distribution pads are devices filled with air or water that adjust to distribute a cr’s weight evenly pads with air or gel filling that fit wheelchair seats are also made locate these items through medical supply catalogs and stores #make a schedule for changing the cr’s position the schedule should be designed to help the caregiver remember when to reposition the cr and what position to put the cr in for example if the cr sits in a wheelchair part of the day and lies in bed most of the day the schedule might note that the caregiver reminds the cr to rise or shift positions once an hour while in the chair but the caregiver repositions the cr once every hour and a half when the cr has returned to bed and to give each area of the cr’s skin the best break possible from pressure caused by weight the caregiver will want to make a regular repositioning routine for example right side then back then left side then right side then back and then left side this gives each area a four hour pressure break

Materials: Foam pads 4 extra pillows special weight distribution mattress pads heel and elbow protectors schedule for changing position

Categories: Medical Physical, Mobility, Immobile, 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: #serve several beverages with meals each drink in a small glass or cup for example at breakfast serve water juice milk and decaffeinated coffee at lunch serve water soda or tea and milk and at dinner serve soda or an alcohol substitute water warm tea or hot chocolate offer sugar-free versions of drinks if necessary #offer cr beverages every couple of hours throughout the day #keep favorite drinks the cr can easily help him or herself to in an accessible spot for example put a mini-fridge in the family room if having it there will make it more likely the cr will reach for a drink while watching tv or working on a project #offer water-rich fruits between meals as a snack a half-inch or one-inch piece of watermelon as a regular snack may lead the cr to seek the toilet regularly to make a bowel movement which will give the cr a chance to empty the bladder before it is full #incontinence is a reality that can be managed learn about incontinence and care products by talking to friends or other caregivers looking at the pharmacy aisles for adult incontinence products or checking online or at the library for

Materials: Small glasses or cups variety of non-alcoholic decaffeinated drinks milk tea juices coffee mock alcohol drinks watermelon or grapes fruits with high water content knowledge of incontinence products and options towels and garbage bags

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

Information: About adult disposable underwear mattress protectors disposable pads exercises surgeries and medical conditions related to urinary incontinence #until better or longer-term solutions are found prepare for possible incidents of urinary incontinence by keeping a towel and a plastic bag on hand wherever the cr feels incontinence may be an issue place the plastic bag down first and cover it with a towel this may protect a car seat or a sofa seat from damage should an incident occur seeing that you are ready to deal with the problem practically may help the cr accept the situation and begin managing it in a healthy way information

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

Try: #put a lamp or light switch within easy reach of the cr’s bed #make sure there is easily-reached good lighting along the route to the bathroom #place a nightlight next to the switch in the bathroom #place toilet side rails on toilet #cut long strips of reflective tape and attach them to the top and sides of the toilet handrails

Materials: Nightlights roll of light reflective tape toilet side rails from pharmacy or medical supply store

Categories: Medical Physical, Personal, Mobility, Mobile, Needs Some Assistance, Independence, No Supervision, Some Supervision, Vision, So-So Vision, 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: #a cr who is immobile or has paralysis should change positions or be repositioned every two hours while in bed so his or her body weight doesn’t put pressure on the same area of skin long enough for the skin to start breaking down reposition the cr in a regular pattern for example from resting on the left side to resting on the back from resting on the back to resting on the right side and from resting on the right side to resting on the left side again this gives each side and the back a break for four hours use rolled-up towels to lift a leg or support a side to keep the cr in place #do not let the weight of an elbow heel or ankle rest directly on a towel or the bed as bones so close to the skin can easily create pressure leading to sores instead support a heel for example by placing a rolled-up towel under the leg close to the foot #place a folded towel between the cr’s knees or ankles to keep them from rubbing when the cr is lying on a side #protect the cr’s hipbones from putting pressure on the skin covering them by putting a foam mattress pad on the mattress #if the cr uses a wheelchair remind the cr or assist the cr to change positions in the chair at least once an hour if the cr is forgetful set a timer a cr with paralysis from the waist down will often develop sores because he or she doesn’t feel the twinges of discomfort that normally tell a person it’s time to change positions #make sure the cr drinks plenty of non-caffeinated drinks #moisturize the cr’s skin with alcohol-free lotions paying special attention to the skin covering the cr’s joints #inspect the cr’s skin frequently looking for changes in the skin and any spot that stays red even after pressure is removed from it a red spot or area requires immediate attention begin by keeping pressure off the spot and monitor it until the redness is gone #never rub a red area even when putting lotion over it #an ulcer may also first be noticed as a white spot a blister an open sore or a black spot where skin is breaking down #if a spot begins to enlarge change color or open into a sore seek medical treatment pressure sores also called decubitous ulcers or bed sores can rapidly grow to be life-threatening

Materials: Towels foam mattress pad skin moisturizer water or other fluids timer if needed

Categories: Medical Physical, Mobility, Needs Much Assistance, Immobile, Independence, Maximum 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: #add over-the-counter fiber powder to diet gelatin or pudding mix while blending it prior to refrigeration #add over-the-counter fiber powder to hot cereal or morning coffee along with any preferred sweeteners or creamers #remember to increase water intake while taking over-the-counter fiber supplements to prevent painful bowel elimination #if swallowing ability and dietary needs allow it eat clean raw fruits and vegetables and leave the skins or peels on them

Materials: Over-the-counter fiber additive raw fruits and vegetables with skins on water fruit juices

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

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: #a Care recipient (cr) who wants to improve his or her ability to stand upright may be helped by building up the ability to lie on his or her stomach for 10 to 20 minutes a day #place pillows under or around the cr’s abdomen for comfort if needed make sure the cr can breathe comfortably #the caregiver should stay with the cr while the cr is lying on his or her stomach to make sure breathing continues comfortably and to assist the cr to roll over or rise when the cr is ready #the caregiver helping with this task should have the ability to shift the cr with or without the cr’s help as may be required if the cr encounters trouble #place a top sheet longwise across the bed beneath the cr if the cr needs to be turned the caregiver can pull one side of the sheet against the cr and tugging on one of the cr’s shoulders use the sheet to help pull the cr over so he or she is no longer lying face down

Materials: Bed with firm mattress pillows as needed for comfort extra top sheet caregiver to monitor and assist

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

Information: n/a

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

Try: #improve stability while the cr rises to stand by making sure the bed or chair being risen from is sturdy and either braced against a wall or immobilized so it won’t move backward when the cr gets up #a caregiver can help stabilize the cr by using a gait belt to help the cr stay balanced while the cr rises and walks #a gait belt is a strong webbed belt that fits around the cr’s waist the caregiver holds the belt from the back or the side to give some guidance and improve stability gait belts are available by doctors’ prescription and through physical therapy departments and catalogs for a cr with significant obesity look for a bariatric gait belt one that is designed for a person with obesity

Materials: Gait belt wheeled walker sturdy chair or bed helper

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: #a pain scale is a model or way of letting a cr describe the severity of pain being felt a caregiver uses the model in the following way first when the cr speaks of being in pain the caregiver asks how the cr would rate the pain on a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being most severe #the caregiver and the cr discuss the location kind and severity of the pain the cr is having and treat it appropriately this may involve anything from a trip to the emergency room in a most severe situation to application of warm and cold packs and over-the-counter medication in less severe situations #following care for pain the caregiver again asks the cr to rate the severity of pain if the cr reports a lower number after receiving care this might be one sign that treatment has effectively lowered pain if the number stays constant or goes up this might suggest the treatment did not help lower the pain #keep in mind that pain is a symptom of an underlying condition and that lowering pain does not always mean the cause of the pain has been cured or fixed

Materials: Pain scale warm and cold packs over-the-counter pain relievers

Categories: Medical Physical, Mobility, Needs Some Assistance, Independence, Some Supervision, Verbal Communication, Good Verbal Comm, Cognitive Awareness, Fully Aware

Information: n/a

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Keywords: n/a

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

Try: #put on some music or turn the tv to a favorite channel #sit on a comfortable chair or sofa to do the exercises make sure you have room to move your arms #place the handheld weights in front on you #grasp one weight in each hand #begin a forward movement of the arm by bending the elbow bringing the weight up to your shoulder move both arms at the same time #after you bend your arms start to return them to the straight position #repeat these movements 10 times rest for 5 minutes and then repeat do a total of 30 arm bends #do this exercise every day for six to eight weeks and watch your muscle weakness diminish

Materials: Radio or tv 2 lb or 5 lb handheld weights comfortable chair with room to move arms

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

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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