Try: Use a chair or bed that allows a seated care recipient’s cr’s feet to easily touch the floor and try this put on undershirt or bra put on shirt and tie or blouse lower underwear and pants or skirt to the floor slip feet through openings and pull clothes up to knees or thighs if the cr has severe balance problems help may be needed to slip feet through waist and leg holes stand to pull clothes up the rest of the way or lie back on the bed to pull them up while lying back lift weight off one buttock and slide clothes under that side shift weight to the other side and repeat until clothes are all the way up fasten clothes while standing or lying back if the cr is seated on a bed pull one leg at a time onto the bed to put on socks and shoes

Materials: Chair or bed complete set of clothes in easy reach

Categories: Medical Physical, Personal, Mobile, Needs Some Assistance, Needs Much Assistance, 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: For better balance while walking keep feet apart to widen the base of support and improve stability walk slowly to control the length of each step take even steps and avoid taking long strides a walking partner can observe changes in walking style and can offer reminders to use the new form when the walker reverts to the old style

Materials: New way of walking walking partner

Categories: Medical Physical, Mobile, Needs Some Assistance, Needs Much Assistance, No Supervision, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision, 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: Consider installing handrails in hallways install grab bars in bathroom use nightlights to mark the path from the cr’s bed to the bathroom keep walker or cane in easy reach at bedside when changing positions from lying down to rising or sitting to standing stop and be still for a few moments to get balanced in the new position

Materials: Walker or cane if needed grab bars and handrails nightlights

Categories: Medical Physical, Mobility, Mobile, Needs Some Assistance, Independence, No Supervision, Some Supervision, 70-79

Information: Loss of balance can be caused by medication inner ear damage or infection general weakness or a change in blood pressure during movement consistent loss of balance should be talked about with a doctor

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: Place walker or cane nearby so it can be used for balance when the cr stands ask the cr to sit at the edge of the bed or chair a firmer bed or chair is better than soft lay out the clothes next to the cr encourage the cr to wear loose fitting clothes such as jogging suits with an elastic waist this will make it easier for the cr to put them on encourage the cr to wear slip on shoes or ones with velcro closures shoes that have ties may be difficult for the cr to tie shoes with high heels would make it even more difficult for the cr to balance and dress ask the cr to pull underwear or pants up over the knees while still seated ask the cr to put socks and shoes on while still seated finally ask the cr to stand and pull up clothing using this technique the cr stands only once this decreases the risks of falls and exhaustion while dressing

Materials: Pants or skirt underwear nylons or socks and shoes cane or walker if the cr is currently using one

Categories: Medical Physical, Personal, 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: Discuss walker or cane options thoroughly with a doctor specializing in senior health or a physical therapist a gerontologist can prescribe an assistive device based on a physical therapist’s evaluation discuss the proper height width or style with a physical therapist before making a purchase adjust a prescribed walker or cane’s height to meet the care recipient’s cr needs assist the cr to stay uprigh by having the cr wear a gait belt while using the wheeled walker or while walking short distances without a device get training from physical therapist on how to assist with a gate belt safely before using one

Materials: Wheeled walker cane gait belt caregiver if needed physical therapist or gerontologist

Categories: Medical Physical, Personal, Mobility, Mobile, Needs Some Assistance, Needs Much Assistance, Independence, 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: To keep skin from breaking down or ulcerating due to paralysis inactivity loss of sensation or extended time in a bed or wheelchair try these #when a Care recipient (cr) is in bed assist in a change of position at least every 2 hours moving body weight from left side to back and then to right side use the extra sheet or pad as an aid by placing it under the cr’s back from shoulders to knees and pulling on it to roll the cr gently to one side or the other #keep sheets clean and fresh as body sweat and soil can promote bed sores #use pillows to support a cr’s arms and legs and to pad the space between legs as needed also place pillows behind back and tailbone to prevent a cr from rolling backward while positioned on one side or the other #when sitting in a chair or wheelchair a cr should shift weight on buttocks every fifteen minutes caregivers can remind or assist depending on the cr’s ability #massage the cr with lotion paying particular attention to heels ankles buttocks hips elbows and back use alcohol-free lotion massage increases blood flow to areas where circulation may be poor #while massaging look for signs of trouble skin breakdown starts as a small irritated white or reddened area quickly advancing to a blistered-looking area surrounded by redness these small spots easily become open sores bed sores also called decubitous ulcers can be life-threatening and very hard to heal #after massage cover the cr’s heels with booties made of lamb’s wool or synthetic material these can be found in medical supply stores

Materials: Clean sheets with an extra sheet or pad two or three pillows protective booties lotion without alcohol

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: Try controlling constipation through diet and exercise before using laxatives as using laxatives can be habit-forming and overuse of them can weaken bowel muscles drink plenty of water throughout the day avoid caffeinated drinks as caffeine promotes dehydration drink four to eight ounces of prune juice daily prune juice works best if warmed if possible eat raw fruits and vegetables focusing on those high in fiber such as pears apples grapefruit broccoli cabbage and cauliflower make fruit compote with equal parts of canned prunes pears and peaches cut into small pieces pour some of the fruit juice over the fruit and serve the dish slightly warm or chilled exercise daily and frequently schedule a regular time to use the bathroom each day while sitting on the toilet bend forward slowly from the waist and bring arms toward the floor while taking slow even breaths do not do this exercise if you have neck problems high or low blood pressure or dizziness avoid foods that may be binding such as cheese make note of other foods that cause constipation and limit or avoid those as well if constipation continues try an over-the-counter fiber supplement drink plenty of water when using them

Materials: Water prune juice raw fruits and vegetables fruit compote regular exercise even if light

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: Inspect skin daily and note any redness tearing of skin or open sores if any of these are present contact a physician the skin may need to be checked by a wound care nurse and tests of albumin levels may be ordered to avoid dry skin use mild soaps and warm not hot water for bathing use moisturizing lotions change body position from sitting to standing or lying to sitting every hour while awake and every two hours at night a gel-foam mattress should reduce pressure and friction that harm fragile skin serve eat high protein foods such as meat and dairy products and high protein liquid supplements canned supplements can be added to milk coffee and shakes offer drink plenty of water empty bowel and bladder regularly use barrier creams to waterproof the skin against urine and feces barrier creams include those used to prevent diaper rash

Materials: Lotions pillows gel-foam mattress high protein food and drinks water barrier creams

Categories: Medical Physical, Mobility, Needs Some Assistance, Needs Much Assistance, Immobile, Independence, 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: #the band is held with both hands and runs under the care recipient recipient’s cr cr’s feet from a standing or seated position the cr pulls upward on the band using feet to keep the band in place the band’s resistance should be minimal pulling up on the band so the elbows bend and slowly lowering it will strengthen the cr’s arms and create motion exercise #use sponge balls to exercise hands and fingers a sponge ball is held in each hand and gently squeezed helpers can cover the cr’s hands with their own to feel the cr’s strength #use the cans as weights for three exercises ## the cr holds a can in each hand while moving arms upward from thigh to shoulder arms are out straight ##the cr holds the cans out front and bends arms at the elbow bringing the cans toward the shoulders ##finally the cr holds the cans with arms straight forward and fists upright from this position arms are moved apart and to the side at shoulder height a helper can assist the cr as needed to move hands apart and back together again all the exercises can be repeated as often as is comfortable #walking in place can be done standing or sitting a caregiver can provide encouragement and monitor safety

Materials: Rubber exercise band for legs fist-sized sponge balls or stress-relief balls two 8 oz cans full and still sealed assistance and encouragement

Categories: Medical Physical, Male, Female, Mobile, Needs Some Assistance, Needs Much Assistance, No Supervision, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision, 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: #replace regular shoelaces with elastic shoelaces elastic shoelaces are sold in many drug stores #remove the regular laces from shoes #thread elastic shoelaces into the eyelets of the shoe #don’t pull the laces tight #put the shoe on using a long-handled shoe horn if necessary #tie elastic shoelaces the same way regular shoelaces are tied #once tied the laced shoe will work like a slip-on shoe as the elastic laces will stretch out without being untied when the shoe is put on or taken off

Materials: Elastic shoe laces long-handled shoe horn if needed

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