Try: Check building codes on rails in your community before beginning handrails should be long enough to extend past the end of the steps to allow safe transition to level surface allow 6 inches if possible the height of the handrail should allow the Care recipient (cr) to use it comfortably when his or her arm is slightly bent at the elbow a way to measure this distance is to measure from the floor to the cr cr’s wrist when his or her arms are held at his or her sides when choosing a handrail make sure the cr can get his or her hand around it for maximum grip and safety when installing the handrail make sure the rail brackets are connected to the support beams or studs behind the drywall a railing attached only to the drywall will pull out when weight is applied use the stud finder to locate these support beams make sure the handrail will be close enough to the wall to prevent a wrist or elbow from slipping between the rail and the wall as this can create a major risk of broken bones mark the top stair and bottom stair railing height draw a chalk line between these two points using a straight edge or string locate studs along this line install brackets in the studs at least one every 2-3 feet place the railing on the brackets and mark the holes to be drilled on the underside of the railing drill holes as marked use screws to secure the railing to the wall brackets

Materials: Handrail heavy duty brackets electronic stud finder long heavy duty screws drill chalk and pencil straight edge measuring tape

Categories: Medical Physical, Needs Some Assistance

Information: n/a

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

Try: #check water temperature with a thermometer or wrist to make sure it is not too hot #do not soak the feet as this can lead to the callouses becoming soggy then cracking #dry the skin between each toe moisture may lead to skin breakdown or sores #do not cut toenails use the nail file to gradually file them down and smooth the the edges #inspect the bottom of the feet for blisters or cuts or allow the cr to do this using a hand mirror #apply moisturizer only to the heels and surface of foot never put lotion in between the toes

Materials: Soft towel nail file unscented hand foot cream hand mirror

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

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

Try: If the cr isn’t eating much make sure that what gets eaten provides as much decent nutrition as possible serve snacks and foods chosen to meet the cr cr’s needs for specific nutrients calories etc generally snacks might include cheese and crackers cottage cheese yogurt pudding peanut butter on whole wheat bread a pizza bagel or cereal if swallowing or exhaustion are problems offer milkshakes or nutritional supplements in the cr cr’s favorite flavor you might also try smooth warm and soft foods in small bowls macaroni and cheese mashed potatoes pasta soups or oatmeal these foods are generally easy to eat and swallow but they are also fairly starchy and you may need to be balance them with proteins fresh fruits and vegetables if the cr is overwhelmed by regular meals try offering small snacks every few hours instead of a few big meals ask about the cr cr’s tastes and work them into meals and snacks at meals put the different foods that are part of the meal on small plates and offer them one at a time instead of all at once so the meal as a whole may seem less overwhelming for example one small plate might hold a piece of chicken when the cr has eaten it the plate is taken away and a small plate is brought out with a single serving of carrots on it if the cr eats the carrots that plate is cleared and another small plate is produced with a serving of mashed potatoes on it etc if loss of the ability to taste is a problem enhance the flavor of food with herbs spices garlic lemon ginger or salt-free seasoning mixes conversely if the cr can no longer tolerate a varied or spicy diet keep food simple and bland set the table nicely and make meal time as pleasant as possible engage the cr in conversation create a pleasant aroma in the kitchen to lure the cr to the table if smoking or incense-burning take place in the house keep these activities away from the kitchen and dining room smoke may overpower the nose nose’s ability to fully take in the many subtle and not-so-subtle scents of cooking food

Materials: Snacks small plates

Categories: Medical Physical, Personal

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

Try: #engage the cr in talk about past medical care and stories from childhood what family remedies were used was there a family doctor #use a doctor or therapy appointment as an opportunity to dine out many medical facilities have cafeterias that offer healthy meals at affordable prices to their staff and public #encourage the cr to mail or hand-deliver thank-you notes or cards of appreciation about staff members who do an outstanding job #bring a camera to therapy and doctor appointments and see if the medical provider will pose with the cr for a photo label the photos and put them in an album or make a poster out of them for the cr

Materials: Camera postcards poster paper glue markers

Categories: Medical Physical, Social

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

Try: Replace regular sized spoon or fork with a smaller-sized utensil with the smaller fork or spoon the cr may put less food on the utensil possibly reducing the choking risk if the handle of the spoon fork is too small for the cr to hold build it up by slipping the bicycle handle over the utensil

Materials: Child-size silverware or cocktail fork spoon foam bicycle handle optional

Categories: Medical Physical, Personal, 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: Walking up the stairs with two hands on rails or two hands on one rail the cr should place the stronger leg on the step above then bring other leg up to same step if using a cane and one hand on rail the cr should place the stronger leg on the step above and then bring the cane and the weaker leg up to the step at the same time the caregiver should be below cr on stairs in case assistance is needed walking down the stairs with one hand on each rail or two hands on one rail place the weaker leg on the stair below and then bring the stronger leg down to same step if using a cane the cr should place the cane and the weaker leg on the step below and then bring the stronger leg down to the same step the caregiver should be below the cr on the stairs in case assistance is needed

Materials: Stairs with sturdy railings two that are within reach are preferable

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

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Keywords: n/a

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

Try: #be sure that the cr is close to the side of the bed but not so close that he or she could roll off the side of the bed when rolling on the side #have the cr bend both knees so that the feet are flat on the bed #with both knees bent and touching each other roll knees hips and shoulders toward the side of the bed from which the cr wants to rise roll like a log with shoulders hips and knees moving at the same time the caregiver may need to assist with a hand at the cr cr’s knees and back to help the cr roll #keep knees bent #once the cr is lying fully on one side he or she should begin rising using the shoulder nearest the bed and the opposite hand to lift his or her body from the bed sideways to a sitting position as the back lifts up legs are swung over the edge of the bed so that the feet reach the floor this movement allows the feet to contact the floor at the same time the cr achieves full upright sitting #if the cr cannot complete the last step alone give the cr gentle support at the lower shoulder and help to push down gently on the leading hip to rock the cr upright the caregiver caregiver’s hands can move to the cr cr’s upper arm as it pushes off the bed and just above the cr cr’s hip at about the level of the navel to bring the hip down flat on the bed #the caregiver should risk self-injury by straining to help let the cr do as much as possible without help use only minimal pressure when assisting if much more assistance is needed do not use this technique #give the cr time to sit for as long as it takes to adjust to the new position before standing

Materials: n/a

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

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Keywords: n/a

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

Try: #have the cr sit in one chair as straight up as possible #place the second chair in front of the cr #assist the cr in lifting one leg so the heel is well supported on the chair in front of the cr #instruct the cr to straighten the knee on the elevated leg expect this to cause some stretching in back of the knee and thigh #when the knee is as straight as possible give instruction to bend the ankle up as far as possible toes coming up toward the cr this should cause stretching in calf muscle and behind knee encourage the cr to try to hold this position for 5 seconds count 1-1000 2-1000 3-1000 4-1000 and then relax and try again for 20 repetitions #help the cr bring the first leg down expect some discomfort when going from fully straightened to bent #elevate the other leg up onto the chair #repeat the exercise 20 times with the second leg #most cr cr’s will have discomfort when doing this exercise especially if they spend the greater part of their day sitting #a cr may need to start out stretching for fewer than 5 seconds and 20 repetitions #can start at lower heights to build flexibility

Materials: Two straight-back chairs of equal height

Categories: Medical Physical, Personal, Needs Some Assistance, Needs Much Assistance, Some Supervision

Information: n/a

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

Try: #fold and press iron fold lengthwise in sheet #cut along fold with pinking shears #fold crosswise and then cut along the fold line the sheet is now 4 pieces #sew two quarters to opposite edges of 1 incontinence pad and repeat for the other pad forming two wings on the edge of each pad #place one of the pads on top of the clean bottom sheet so it lines up with the cr cr’s lower shoulder to mid-thigh #tuck the long ends of attached sheet sections under each side of the mattress #when a pad is soiled remove it and replace it with the other pad #launder the first pad and dry it for future use

Materials: 2 reusable incontinence pads to fit under Care recipient (cr) from lower shoulder to mid-thigh 1 twin bed sheet pinking shears or scissors needle and thread or sewing machine straight pins iron and ironing board

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