Try: #when dizziness occurs balance can be thrown off to regain balance stand or sit still and focus eyes on a picture or object on a nearby wall focusing the eyes on a fixed item on a horizontal plane will help the eyes and brain reorient the body’s sense of balance #if dizziness often happens when getting up from lying down or seated position get up in stages #sit up slowly before rising to stand slide legs squarely to the body’s front before getting out of bed or a chair for maximum support stand up slowly before beginning to walk # use an assistant cane or walker properly when told by a doctor or physical therapist to use one ask for specific training on how to use the one prescribed

Materials: Picture or object on the wall person cane or walker to lean on if necessary

Categories: Medical Physical, Mobility, Needs Some Assistance, Vision, Good Vision, So-So Vision, Cognitive Awareness, Fully Aware

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

Try: #see if the pills the cr has trouble swallowing can be replaced with different smaller forms of the same medications or check with a pharmacist or doctosr to see if it is safe to crush the pills some pills are specifically not to be crushed split or broken some medications such as time released drugs should not be crushed #if it is safe to crush a pill use the pill crusher to do so pill crushers are available in most pharmacies you can also crush pills by placing one pill at a time in the bowl of a spoon and then fit a matching spoon on top of it pressing down so the back of the top spoon crushes the pill #in the case of a capsule after checking for safety pull it apart to empty its contents discard the capsule once the medicine has been poured out #use the small cup or container to hold the crushed medicine #add a small amount of creamy textured food to the crushed medication and mix them together well #give it to the cr to eat #medications can be crushed ahead of time and placed in appropriate slots of medication organizers to save time bake sure each dose of crushed medication can be easily emptied from its slot without dislodging other doses

Materials: Pill crusher spoon small cup or container yogurt pudding applesauce or other creamy textured food

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

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

Try: #talk to the cr cr’s pharmacist about the problem the cr is having opening pill bottles and ask if the pharmacy can put the cr cr’s medication in a bottle that will better suit the cr cr’s needs #if necessary or possible the caregiver can put the cr’s medications into a pillbox that is easier for the cr to open and close pill boxes that can be hold daily weekly and monthly doses are sold at many drug stores and are carried by medical supply stores and catalogs often those in medical supply catalogs are designed around the needs of people with specific physical conditions

Materials: Pharmacist drug store or medical supply catalog

Categories: Medical Physical, So-So Vision, Poor Vision

Information: n/a

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

Try: #slip the pvc pipes over each handle that releases the brakes if necessary remove any cushioning from the brake handle that prevents the pcv pipe from fitting over the handle or build the handle up with foam for a more secure fit #pvc pipe is available at hardware stores the store may cut the pipe to order if twelve inches is unwieldy cut the pipes down to fewer inches foam is available at many fabric stores #before doing anything to permanently secure the pvc pipe to the brake release make sure the cr or a helper will be able to safely push the chair with the brake lock extensions in place #make sure the pipes will not pose a danger to the cr when he or she transfers into or out of the chair #the pvc pipe will make the brake handle 12 higher and less difficult to reach also less effort by the cr will be needed to lock or unlock the brakes

Materials: Two one-foot-long pieces of pvc pipe 1 inch diameter

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

Information: n/a

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

Try: #a cr who is choking or having trouble swallowing should be seen by a doctor the caregiver will want to make sure the doctor is looking for physical problems in the pharynx or esophagus among other things #an evaluation of how the cr is swallowing is done by a speech therapist the cr’s primary care doctor can refer the cr for an evaluation of swallowing function #if these evaluations show nothing abnormal have a dentist look at any tooth gum or mouth problems that may be creating a problem #talk to the cr’s physician about using a thickening agent to make swallowing certain foods or liquids easier fluids that have an almost honey-like consistency are usually easier to swallow #encourage the cr to take small amounts of food at a time to chew slowly and when swallowing to lower his or her chin slightly these will promote safer swallowing #six small meals per day may be less fatiguing to a person with swallowing difficulties than eating three regular-sized meals

Materials: Medical evaluations thickening agents if recommended

Categories: Medical Physical, Mobility, Mobile, Needs Some Assistance, Needs Much Assistance, Immobile, Independence, Some Supervision, Fully Aware, Somewhat Aware

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

Try: #check feet daily looking for blisters cuts and sores that do not heal within a couple of days check the top bottom and sides of feet use a handheld mirror to check the bottom of feet and toes #wash feet daily use warm not hot water with mild soap #dry feet well making sure the skin between toes is carefully dried #use a lanolin-based lotion everyday #do not put lotion between toes #always keep feet covered either with socks and shoes or house slippers #if a physical vision or other disability makes any of these steps too difficult locate a helper care of the feet is critical talk to agencies serving seniors social service departments at area hospitals or private home health providers to discuss the possibility of insurance-covered assistance or make arrangements with a family member or friend to volunteer or accept private payment to assist with foot care as necessary

Materials: Handheld mirror soap & water towel lotion helper if necessary

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

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

Try: #buy bandaging and fasteners at pharmacies or medical supply stores #elastic bandages are rolled and packed with tape metal clips or velcro if you need to re-roll a bandage roll it up with as few wrinkles as possible #expose the part of the body that needs to be wrapped and make sure the area is clean #apply the bandage to the smallest part make two circular turns around the part and then make overlapping spiral turns in an upward position smooth out any wrinkles as you wrap so that you are not folding wrinkled bandage into the wrap #make sure the bandage is not too tightly wrapped #secure the bandage in place with velcro tape or clips #check the fingers and toes for coldness or bluish discoloration or any pain #if you have any concerns about the tightness of the bandage check fingers and toes and the area around the wrap periodically to make sure the skin is warm and normal in color

Materials: Elastic bandage tape metal clip or velcro

Categories: Medical Physical, Mobility, Mobile, Independence, No Supervision, Touch, Good Touch, Cognitive Awareness, Fully Aware, Long-Term Memory, Good L T Memory

Information: n/a

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

Try: Use a raised toilet seat to make it easier to get on and off the toilet the lower the toilet the more effort legs must make to raise the body from the seat use grab bars properly mounted on walls to aid sitting standing personal hygiene and rearranging clothes do simple arm and leg exercises to keep or improve flexibility and muscle strength look for exercises in books at libraries and bookstores or ask a doctor or physical therapist to recommend exercises ask for illustrated instructions

Materials: Raised toilet seat grab bars exercise book or instructions

Categories: Medical Physical, Personal, Mobility, Mobile, Needs Some Assistance, Needs Much Assistance, Independence, No Supervision, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision, Fully Aware, Somewhat Aware

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

Try: Play a tossing game or batting game a balloon may be better than a ball because it is easier to hit and moves more slowly requiring arms to be raised longer and increasing the time of muscle activity use a balloon when severe stroke dementia or slow reflexes are present use a hand pump to inflate a balloon at least nine inches wide large balloons and hand pumps are often sold at party supply stores involve several people the games tracking the ball aids mental alertness

Materials: Large balloon or light small to medium-sized ball hand pump for balloon

Categories: Medical Physical, Mobile, Needs Some Assistance, Needs Much Assistance, No Supervision, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision, Good Vision, So-So Vision, Good Verbal Comm, So-So Verbal Comm, Poor Verbal Comm, Fully Aware, Somewhat Aware, Good L T Memory, So-So L T Memory, Poor L T Memory, Good S T Memory, So-So S T Memory, Poor S T Memory, College

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

Try: Try the following exercises to keep or improve balance in the beginning do them while holding onto the chair with both hands and with help if necessary exercise one stand directly behind the chair feet slightly apart lift one leg 6 out to the side hold this position for 10 seconds repeat with the opposite leg working up to 10 repetitions on each side exercise two stand directly behind the chair feet slightly apart slowly bend one knee toward your chest lifting your foot 6 off the floor hold this position for 10 seconds repeat with the opposite leg working up to 10 repetitions on each side exercise three stand directly behind the chair feet slightly apart lift one leg straight back keeping your knee straight try and stand up straight hold this position for 10 seconds repeat with the opposite leg working up to 10 repetitions on each side

Materials: Flat shoes with good treads and support sturdy chair home exercise program

Categories: Medical Physical, Mobile, Needs Some Assistance, No Supervision, Some Supervision, Fully Aware, Somewhat Aware

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