Try: Encourage the cr to stay calm because stress can increase tinnitus encourage the cr to review the issues of the day and seek answers to each several hours before going to sleep encourage the cr to eliminate or reduce caffeine alcohol chewing gum high intake of salt encourage the cr to give tinnitus a beautiful name so that he or she can think more positively about it as time passes the cr may think more fondly of it at bedtime turn on the white noise player to distract the cr from the tinnitus and help him or her fall to sleep

Materials: White noise recording and player

Categories: Medical Physical, Personal

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: Insomnia restless at night ringing in the ears hearing loss

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

Try: Increase cr’s water intake encourage cr to elevate legs when resting encourage cr to avoid sitting for long periods of time with legs down massage cr’s legs and feet to improve blood flow encourage cr to lie on left side when lying down this will help move fluid to the heart and improve circulation monitor cr’s salt intake and take the steps necessary to reduce it if it is high how much salt is cr adding to foods how much higher sodium salt food is cr consuming for example canned vegetables and frozen meals

Materials: Water in pitcher something to elevate cr’s legs

Categories: Medical Physical

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: Water retention bloated puffy feet

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

Try: If the bathtub has glass doors the cr may find it easier to get in or out if the doors are removed and replaced temporarily with a shower curtain on a tension rod look for a shower curtain with built in pockets to store soap and shampoo bottles that way the cr does not need to get up and down once he or she is in the tub install grab bars if there are n/a in place if the cr is in a rental property that cannot be permanently modified buy some suction type grab bars place a shower bench or chair inside the tub so that the cr can sit for the duration of the shower install a hand held shower head if one is not already in place encourage the cr to use sponges on long handles to reach the lower part of the body to avoid back strain encourage the cr to dry off as much as possible while sitting in the shower chair encourage the cr to dry off as much as possible when standing to get out of the tub

Materials: Bath bench or chair shower tension rod shower curtains with pockets on the inside handheld shower head grab bars long handled sponges

Categories: Medical Physical

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: Bathing taking a bath showering taking a shower bathroom safety

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

Try: Cut a piece of nonskid rubber slightly larger than the size of a chair cushion place the nonskid rubber on the chair cushion tuck the sides and back of the nonskid rubber into the chair

Materials: Anti-skid backing generally used under throw rugs scissors

Categories: Medical Physical

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: Falls out of chair bad posture

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

Try: Encourage the cr to do the following eat a well-balanced diet an overweight person tends to snore more discuss medications with his or her doctor certain medications can cause snoring use the proper size pillow and only one pillow to help avoid snoring use nasal breathing strips and nasal spray that can be purchased at a drug store this may help open the nasal passages and help decrease the snoring problem sleep on the side and not the back taping a tennis ball to the back of the cr’s pajamas may prevent lying on the back use a humidifier regularly to keep the bedroom air moist if the snoring continues to be disruptive talk to a doctor about having a sleep study done the snoring may be a sign of sleep apnea or a much more serious problem

Materials: Proper pillow nasal strips humidifier nasal spray tennis ball

Categories: Medical Physical, Personal

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: Difficulty sleeping disrupted sleeping

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

Try: Closely inspect the home prior to cr’s return anticipate the additional needs cr will have upon return home and make appropriate modifications in the home to mitigate the safety concerns walk through each room the cr will be living in and complete a safety sweep remove clutter and throw rugs install grab bars in the shower if needed remove temporary extension cords and secure longer use cords to the floor with heavy duty tape tack down edges of the carpet keep floors dry and wipe up spills immediately use non-wax cleaning products on floors

Materials: n/a

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

Information: n/a

References: Adapted from family care giving be red cross ready safety series vol 1 2007

Keywords: Home safety fall prevention

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

Try: Before providing the cr with a cigarette or lighting one assist the cr into a comfortable chair in clear view of your work area kitchen laundry break room and so on cover the cr’s upper torso lap knees and chair arms with a large flame retardant smokers bib provide the cr with a medium sized ash tray that is deep and easy to hold light the cigarette monitor the cr until he or she is finished smoking inspect the cr’s clothing furniture and smoker’s bib for burns and hot ashes dispose of the cigarette and hot ashes properly and safely

Materials: Comfortable chair flame retardant smokers bib this can be purchased from specialty catalogs such as buck & buck 1-800-458-0600 medium sized ash tray that is deep and easy to hold

Categories: Medical Physical, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision, So-So Vision, Poor Vision

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: Smoker safety fire prevention cigarette burns

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

Try: Remove objects from the direct path from the bed to the bathroom that could cause the cr to trip lose balance and fall while walking to the bathroom throw rugs furniture clutter shoes clothing and so on place the needed items for walking on a bedside table at the side and head of the cr’s bed plug in night lights that will illuminate the cr’s walking path from the bed to the bathroom if the cr fears having an accident due to incontinence before getting to the bathroom provide incontinence products as appropriate adult disposable underwear and additional insert as needed encourage the cr to use the toilet right before bedtime encourage the cr to move slowly when changing positions from lying to sitting to standing encourage cr to follow these safe steps sit at the edge of the bed to put on footwear put on glasses if needed reach for assistive device for walking if needed rise slowly from sit to standing walk slowly to the bathroom turn slowly into a position to sit on the toilet the cr should feel the back of his or her legs touching the toilet before sitting down rise slowly after toileting use assistive device to return slowly to bed turn slowly at the bedside and sit slowly after back of legs touch the bed remove glasses and slippers and return to the bedside stand place the assistive device with reach of the bedside

Materials: Assistive device if used for balance walker cane and so on sturdy footwear rubber sole slippers and shoes eye glasses if needed to see at night night lights incontinence products adult disposable underwear and additional insert if needed

Categories: Medical Physical, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision, Fully Aware, Somewhat Aware

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: Nighttime safety hazards in the home going to the bathroom toileting

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

Try: Talk to cr to find out if he or she is aware that the walker is not being used as it was intended determine the cause of the misuse was cr was trained in proper techniques does cr experiences any pain while using the proper posture is the distance traveled using the walker is too long does cr get physically tired address the cause of the misuse provide re-training on proper body mechanics and use of the walker make adjustments to the equipment as needed adjust the height spacing of the walker check that the wheels are lubed properly and that tensions is appropriately adjusted encourage cr to take multiple breaks cr should sit on the walker seat take deep breaths to catch breath or sit on chairs benches and other seating that is available break the distance up into shorter goals create a plan to build cr’s endurance work slowly with the cr to add distance and reduce break times along the route encourage cr to use the walker as intended during times of day when he or she can be successful consider using a wheel chair in the mornings when cr is still tired encourage walker usage later in the day if cr is more capable at that time periodically evaluate cr’s use of the walker to determine if it is still the appropriate assistive device to use

Materials: Cr’s walker

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

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: Assistive device medical equipment mobility transportation

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

Try: If the cr is unwilling to avoid or eat smaller portions of the foods that cause distress find healthier ways to prepare food encourage the cr to avoid tobacco and alcohol encourage the cr to consume smaller amounts of the following coffee with or without caffeine spicy foods raw fruits raw vegetables concentrated fruit juice foods that are high in fat sugar-free sweeteners serve cooked fruits and vegetables rather than raw add whole grains and fiber gradually to the diet fiber will help reduce gas and bloating make sure the cr drinks plenty of water encourage the cr to reduce stress through regular exercise and relaxing hobbies when episodes of diarrhea occur try over-the counter medications to reduce the symptoms give the changed diet 8-12 weeks to show signs of working changes don’t happen overnight

Materials: Cooked fruits and vegetables whole grain foods fiber supplements containing psyllium buy psyllium husk from natural food stores over the counter diarrhea medication if necessary

Categories: Medical Physical

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: Bowel irritation diet nutrition

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