Try: n/a

Materials: Velcro tabs

Categories: Medical Physical, Mobile, Needs Some Assistance, Needs Much Assistance, Good Vision, So-So Vision, Poor Vision, Touch, So-So Touch, Poor Touch, Cognitive Awareness, Fully Aware, Somewhat Aware

Information: Use velcro to stabilize cell phones tv remotes eyeglass cases or more stick half of a velcro tab to the surface of a tray table nightstand or heavy book stick the other half of the velcro tab to any small object such as a cell phone tv remote or eyeglass case attach the small object to the surface of the closest table tray or book by pressing the velcro tabs together make sure the object can be easily pulled apart from its velcro spot but that it stays attached to the spot when casually knocked with a hand or elbow don’t put a tab too close to a trash container as objects may accidentally drop in the trash if they aren’t firmly attached with velcro to a surface

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: # ask the cr to rate pain on a scale of 1 through 10 with 1 representing a little pain and 10 representing the worst pain # tell the cr you would like to try some relaxation exercises to try to help him or her with the pain # have the cr sit in a comfortable place # ask the cr to close eyes and relax # ask the cr to take a deep break and slowly exhale # ask the cr to remember or imagine a comfortable place and to describe it prompt the to give as much detail as possible what does it look like how do you feel there are there other people there what are the other sights sounds smells etc #invite the cr to enjoy being in that place and when the cr is ready to open his or her eyes # ask the cr to rate pain again # tell the cr that the place whether a real imaginary or a memory can be visited whenever the cr needs a break from stress or pain

Materials: Comfortable seating calming music

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

Try: Never go barefoot even in the house always wear shoes and socks cotton and wool socks absorb sweat and pull it away from the skin shake pebbles or small particles out of shoes before putting them on don’t keep money in shoes wear shoes with extra depth at the toe to prevent any rubbing buy shoes later in the day when feet tend to have swollen check feet daily for cuts blisters sores cuticle damage or ingrown toenails consult your doctor or podiatrist as soon as possible if any of these are visible be careful when trimming toenails and have a podiatrist clip nails if eyesight or flexibility is limited put lotion on feet and ankles daily giving special care to heels where cracking is common

Materials: Shoes that fit well and offer good support and cushioning cotton and wool socks alcohol-free lotion podiatrist if needed

Categories: Medical Physical, Mobility, Mobile, No Supervision, Cognitive Awareness

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: If there is a swimming pool with a removable ladder make sure the ladder is removed when cr is outdoors if the pool has steps and a deck place a gate at the bottom and the top of the steps make sure outdoor area is well lit if cr is outdoors in the evening remove decorative stones and flowerpots from edges of walkways to cr won’t trip or stumble if they stray off the edge of the walkway there should be railings on all porches and decks and steps of porches or decks should have non-skid tape on the step and reflective paint or tape on the edges of the steps remove clotheslines from areas where cr could walk disconnect fuel supply from grill when grill is not in use have locking lids on garbage or recycling containers

Materials: n/a

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: #turn down the temperature on the water heater or hire someone to do it #label all faucets with large temperature indicators; red for hot and blue for cold faucet indicators can be found in medical supply catalogs and stores #never get into a bath or shower without checking the water temperature first never help a care recipient into a shower or bath without checking the water temperature first #check the temperature of water in foot baths and dish tubs before wetting hands or feet #check the temperature of hot drinks or foods before serving or sipping use a finger or a heat-sensitive spoon small heat-sensitive spoons can be found in the infant or toddler sections of most stores these spoons change color if food is too hot to be safely put in the mouth

Materials: Access to water heater large indicators for faucets heat-sensitive spoons

Categories: Medical Physical, Mobility, Mobile, Needs Some Assistance, Needs Much Assistance, Independence, No Supervision, Some Supervision, Touch, So-So Touch, Poor Touch, Cognitive Awareness, Fully Aware, Somewhat Aware, Unaware, Long-Term Memory, So-So L T Memory, Poor L T Memory, Short-Term 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: Instead of lighting candles put a glow in a room with electric or battery-powered candles they are sold at drug stores and gift stores as well as through catalogs instead of scented candles use plug-in air fresheners or room sprays

Materials: Air fresheners room sprays electric or battery-powered candles

Categories: Medical Physical, Mobility, Mobile, Needs Some Assistance, Needs Much Assistance, Immobile, Independence, No Supervision, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision, Smelling, Good Smelling

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: Turn and reposition the Care recipient (cr) every two hours while the cr is in a bed or chair assist the cr to walk every two hours during the day if the cr is able if the cr can’t walk assist the cr to sit upright shifting weight every ten to fifteen minutes and changing positions every two hours clean soiled skin with baby wipes and apply alcohol-free lotion to protect and moisturize pad cr’s chairs with a gel foam cushion and line chairs or couches with sheepskin to minimize pressure on skin and draw sweat away from the cr’s body skin health can be aided by proper nutrition improve or maintain a cr’s protein intake by serving a liquid supplement three times a day consult a doctor or nutritionist to see if the cr needs a supplement and if so what kind

Materials: Baby wipes hydrating lotion sheepskin material gel foam seat cushion liquid nutritional supplement

Categories: Medical Physical, Needs Some Assistance, Needs Much Assistance, Immobile, No Supervision, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision, Fully Aware, Somewhat Aware, Unaware

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: Use the air mattress to reduce body weight pressure that leads to ulcers or bed sores inflate the mattress according to directions using the hand pump provided secure the air mattress with straps after putting it on top of the regular mattress use an air foam or gel cushion on the seat of the care recipient’s cr’s chair or wheelchair to relieve pressure on skin waffle mattresses and cushions are sold at medical supply outlets wheelchair technicians physical therapists and doctors are people you can consult if you and the cr have trouble deciding what kind of cushioning will best suit the cr cr’s needs if the cr has difficulty moving and is confined to bed make sure the cr’s body is turned no less than once every two hours from back to right side from right side to left side and from left side to back when a cr is lying on one side use pillows or blankets to prevent backward rolling use a folded pillow or a rolled-up towel under the cr’s ankles to keep heels off the bed some cr’s may need additional support under the back of their knees

Materials: Air flotation mattress also called a waffle mattress cushion for chair pillows blankets or towels

Categories: Medical Physical, Needs Much Assistance, Immobile, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision, Fully Aware, Somewhat Aware, Unaware

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: #the Care recipient (cr) and caregiver visit health care provider and ask about the medication being prescribed and the targeted blood pressure reading #get prescription filled and become an ally with the pharmacist # thoroughly review the info sheet that comes with the medication #monitor the cr’s blood pressure use a cuff at home in the doctor’s office or at local stores offering free blood pressure readings #make sure the medicine is taken at the same time every day #mark doctor appointments lab tests appointments and blood pressure checks on the calendar #record blood pressure readings report any symptoms of chest pain headache or vision trouble to the doctor immediately write blood pressure readings and test results on the calendar for easy reference #tell the health care provider and the pharmacist about all the medications the cr is taking so drug interactions can be checked also let them know about over-the-counter medication and herbal supplements being taken #in the cr’s wallet or purse keep a list of all medications he or she takes

Materials: Prescription from health care provider pharmacy information sheet for medication pill box watch calendar list of all medications and supplements

Categories: Medical Physical, Mobility, Mobile, Needs Some Assistance, Needs Much Assistance, Immobile, Some Supervision, 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: When the cr is face up place a pillow under the heels to prevent bed sores from forming on the back of the ankle fold a pillow in half and place it under the ankles and calves to raise the heels off mattress the cr should change position every two hours alternating between both sides and back when the cr is on one side use pillows placed long way behind the cr’s back to keep the body from rolling back place a pillow between both knees and ankles to keep pressure off bony areas in the knees and ankles when the cr is lying on one side position the body naturally with arms in front of the body and knees slightly bent use a pillow to support the arm from the top side of the body so it is not crossing the midline of the chest reduce constant pressure on the same area of skin by making sure weight and position are shifted frequently when the cr is in a chair if repositioning is hard to do put a flat sheet between the chair and the cr smooth out any wrinkles to reduce spots of pressure on skin use the sheet to shift weight by gently pulling on one side of the sheet to roll the cr from one side to the other side check bed sheets and flat sheet used for repositioning for wrinkles food crumbs or other items that may be small but could harm frail skin keep skin clean and dry as dirt and wetness can cause bed sores check toileting needs every two hours and assist as needed maintain the cr’s good nutrition dehydration and or poor nutrition raise the risk of getting bed sores

Materials: Pillows or wedge cushions flat sheet good nutrition

Categories: Medical Physical, Needs Much Assistance, Immobile, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision, Fully Aware, Somewhat Aware, Unaware

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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