Try: Place weights securely on the top front horizontal bar of the walker stand the person and walk as usual with the walker you’ll know you have the correct amount of weight on the walker when the cr cr’s backward leaning is alleviated by weights the goal is to provide stability without overloading the walker weights can be removed in situations where they prove inconvenient such as when the cr has to cross uneven surfaces thick carpeting etc but generally should be kept on to promote increased independence

Materials: Walker with wheels on the front legs and gliders on the back legs this tip would not work as well with the lifting kind of walker 5 to 20 pounds of weight strap weights are available at discount stores or sports stores; they have velco closures that let them wrap around an object the exact amount of weight needed will depend on the cr a selection might be helpful to determine individual needs

Categories: Medical Physical, Personal, Mobility, Needs Some Assistance, Needs Much Assistance, Independence, 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: Buy motion-sensitive lights from a hardware store or building-supply store they are available in battery powered versions place motion-sensitive lights where more light is needed the lights will come on when motion is detected usually at a distance of about 10 feet check packaging or with manufacturer and will remain on until motion ceases battery-powered versions are advantageous because they can be moved from room to room and can function during power outages

Materials: Motion-sensitive lights

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: #gather all clothing towels and shower supplies before showering and make them easily accessible in the bathing area #use bath mats with rubber backing to prevent tripping # use a shower bench as a seat in the tub or shower place it far from and facing the faucets #to enter a tub sit on its edge and gently scoot to the seat if sitting on the edge of the tub is a problem buy a shower bench instead of a shower chair benches extend over the side of the tub be careful not to raise legs higher than ninety degrees when swinging legs over the tub #use the handheld shower head to control water spray and decrease steaminess #always start with cold water and add hot to reach the desired temperature if possible wash with lukewarm water to reduce steam that interferes with breathing #wash back and feet with a long-handled sponge back brush or washcloth to avoid overreaching and bending at the waist #lather up and then return soap to a position that prevents it from dripping or dropping as these could cause slips or falls #rinse and turn off water #dry off as much as possible while sitting #scoot to the side of the tub and get out the way you got in #look for and avoid any water on the floor #move to a stable surface bed chair of firm sofa for example to get dressed #sit and rest whenever necessary while bathing or dressing

Materials: Tub and shower bench handheld shower head long-handled scrub sponge back brush or washcloth soap on a rope or soap that can float or suction soap basket for wall terry cloth robe rubber-backed bath mat

Categories: Medical Physical, Personal, Mobility, Mobile, Independence, No Supervision, Fully Aware, Good L T 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: Check with doctor or pharmacist for each medication before performing this tip as some pills should not be crushed a mortar is a bowl and pestle is a mashing device they are usually made of stone or ceramic and can be bought as a set at most pharmacies they are designed for crushing while not as efficient a bowl and the back of a spoon may be used as a substitute place pills in the mortar and mash them into powder with the pestle if the medication is in capsule form split the capsule or remove its covering to see whether the contents to be mashed many times capsules contain small pellets or powdered medicine which need no additional mashing but occasionally they contain whole pills which do mix the crushed medication into a small serving of the cr cr’s food pick a soft food such as oatmeal applesauce pudding or ice cream read the pharmacy directions for each medication to make sure medication and food can be taken together see that the cr eats the entire serving of food that contains medication don’t put crushed pills in a serving that is too big for him or her to eat in one sitting

Materials: Mortar and pestle or spoon and bowl

Categories: Medical Physical, Mobility, Needs Some Assistance, Independence, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision, Cognitive Awareness, 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: #measure the tub and surrounding areas to see where grab bars would fit and be most useful grab bars are found in medical supply stores and some pharmacies as are tub and shower benches or chairs grab bars must be installed properly or safety will be decreased rather than increased grab bars must be mounted onto studs not drywall or tiles #for seating measure the inside width of the tub or shower and consider the weight and seating needs of a user before choosing a seat or bench ask whether a seat back is needed or available look at seats and benches in a medical supply showroom before purchasing if possible #consult with an occupational therapist or doctor before buying a seat or bench when considering the above questions also with a prescription insurance may cover some or all of the costs #install a hand-held shower head with a hose long enough to reach the seat or bench #once the needs of the user and the measurements of the site are reviewed consider asking a knowledgeable person or a trusted friend to review plans for adding equipment to the bathroom sometimes two heads are better than one #in cases where safety is an issue have a caregiver present in the home while bathing occurs

Materials: Grab bars tub and shower bench hand-held shower head consultation with a doctor or physical therapist review with a friend or advocate caregiver if necessary helper who is handy with tools and can follow directions

Categories: Medical Physical, Personal, Mobile, Needs Some Assistance, 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: #hook up the handheld shower according to directions #place the bench or seat securely in the tub or shower #practice using the bench or seat to shower by doing a dry run this will allow for bench or chair height adjustments and identification of potential problems before the first shower or bath #having a friend or caregiver watch the dry run may be useful having a helper in the house the first time you bathe with a bench is a good idea in case of unexpected trouble

Materials: Tub and shower bench or seat handheld showerhead

Categories: Medical Physical, Personal, Mobility, Mobile, Independence, No Supervision, 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: #if a shower has sliding glass doors replace them with a shower curtain to allow room for the transfer bench #install the shower head they are sold in drug and home improvement stores #put the transfer bench in the tub across from the shower with two legs inside and two legs outside of the tub most of the bench should be inside the bathtub transfer benches are sold at a medical supply stores they should be checked for weight-bearing capacity before being purchased a doctor’s prescription may allow insurance to pay for part or all of a bench #the Care recipient (cr) sits on the bench and turns to lift one leg at a time over the tub after the first leg is in the cr slides over on the bench to make room for the second leg a caregiver helps lift the legs if necessary #when both legs are in the cr slides further over on the transfer bench to shower the hand-held shower head lets water be directed as needed #getting out of the tub the cr moves to the outer side of the bench and brings one leg at a time over the edge of the tub the cr then pivots so the trunk and legs are lined up for a safe standing or transfer to a wheelchair

Materials: Tub transfer bench shower head with a long hose shower curtain

Categories: Medical Physical, Personal, Mobility, Mobile, Needs Some Assistance, Needs Much Assistance, No Supervision, 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: Place the gait belt securely around cr cr’s waist while he or she is sitting or thread a sturdy standard belt through the cr cr’s belt loops when the cr is standing tighten the belt to make it snug stay on the cr cr’s weaker side and grip the belt at the small of the cr cr’s back walk with the cr holding onto the belt but do not pull it as this may pull the cr off balance if the cr starts to lose balance steady him or her by pulling up on the belt

Materials: Gait belt or standard belt threaded through belt loops

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

Try: Tub benches with commode cut-outs allow cr to wash the entire body while seated a reversible seat part accommodates a right or left-sided water supply suction feet secure the bench legs inside the tub and rubber-tips prevent slippage of the outside legs a slot between the commode seat and the transfer surface allows insertion of a strip of shower liner to keep water from spraying the bathroom floor the higher the bench the easier it is generally for the cr to raise his or her legs over the side of the tub for safety’s sake adjust the tub bench so the cr’s feet rest normally on the floor of the tub when the cr sits on the commode cut-out for independence while bathing the cr should be able to reach the water controls when seated hang up the new shower liner put the bench into the tub pull the curtain liner across the length of the tub and make two slits up from the bottom of the liner to create a strip that fits between the front and back bars of the tub bench keeping water inside the tub the cr can use a long-handled brush sponge or puff to wash back lower legs and feet without bending a hand-held showerhead makes it possible to control water flow and pressure unscrew the fixed showerhead and replace it with a hand-held unit installation doesn’t require special tools although if the fixed showerhead is extremely tight or corroded pliers may helpful tub benches and showerheads can be found in many pharmacies tub benches with specific features or weight-bearing capacities may be found in medical supply stores

Materials: Tub bench with commode cut-out hand-held showerhead attachment plastic shower liner long-handled bath sponge brush puff scissors pliers

Categories: Medical Physical, Personal

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: Increase safety while bathing by using a tub or shower transfer bench scoot in along the bench and brings one leg at a time over the side of the tub once in stay seated except to stand and clean private areas use safely-mounted grab bars for balance when sitting or standing prevent slipping with a non-skid mat on the tub or shower floor shampoo and condition hair and then lather and rinse body using the hand-held showerhead dry as much as possible with a towel while still seated to exit lift one leg at a time out of the tub and shift to the edge of the bench finish drying and dress seated on the outer side of the bench stand to dry private areas and to pull up underwear and pants

Materials: Tub or shower with shower curtain not door tub and shower bench grab bars hand-held showerhead non-skid bath mat soap shampoo conditioner washcloth and towels

Categories: Medical Physical, Personal, Mobility, Mobile, Independence, No Supervision

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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