Try: Make a list of the cr’s favorite foods and have them available with each meal and snack time offer smaller frequent meals throughout the day six small meals make the most of the times when the cr feels hungry for example if this is in the morning offer a cooked breakfast in addition to cereal toast and so on encourage cr make an exercise routine pare of each day encourage the cr to go outside for fresh air before mealtime offer a relaxed and unrushed mealtime certain aromas during mealtime can stimulate appetite cinnamon sticks at the table apple pie or cookies baking in the oven when feasible burn candles scented with cinnamon apple pie or cookies limit fluids during meals offer water 30 minutes prior to eating if cr is not eating hot foods offer cold foods offer room temperature foods enhance the flavor in foods with herbs sauces or dressings

Materials: Pen pencil and paper spices cinnamon candles with scent of apple pie cookies and cinnamon cr’s favorite foods

Categories: Medical Physical, Fully Aware, Somewhat Aware

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: Not hungry anorexia under eating no appetite don’t feel like eating

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

Try: Start by washing your hands give the cr a clean tissue ask the cr to look up at the ceiling while you gently pull the lower lid down instill drops in the affect eye or eyes according to the eye drop directions if the cr cannot tolerate the above method try placing an eye drop in the inside corner of the eye with the cr’s eye closed then ask the cr to blink the drops in if the cr needs more than one type of eye drop at a time be sure to wait 3-5 minutes between drops unless otherwise directed

Materials: n/a

Categories: Medical Physical

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: Eye irrigation eye strain sore eyes irritated eyes

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

Try: Place one or more pool noodles underneath the edge of the bottom fitted sheet on the side the cr uses to get out of bed the elastic from the fitted sheet should hold the pool noodles in place this creates a little bumper that may help remind cr not to get out of bed or that he or she is getting too close to the edge of the bed you may need to stack more than one noodle and can use the rubber bands to hold them together

Materials: swimming pool noodles the kind that children use when swimming rubber bands

Categories: Medical Physical, Personal, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: Fall risk nighttime safety dizzy light headed

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

Try: Encourage cr to sit upright while eating provide soft foods and meats that are not too sticky cut food into small bites encourage cr to chew the food several times before swallowing encourage cr to swallow two times and sip water between bites

Materials: Soft foods water knife fork and spoon

Categories: Medical Physical, Personal, Fully Aware, Somewhat Aware

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: Difficulty swallowing coughing

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

Try: Episodes of delirium can be prevented by addressing the common contributing factors such as constipation dehydration and polypharmacy ensure that constipation is properly managed treat the underlying presumed acute cause or causes ensure that pain is being treated ensure that the cr has enough oxygenation hydration and nutrition provide both verbal and non-verbal assurances to calm the cr provide adequate lighting signage and ways for the cr to tell the time provide means of orientation such as a clock or calendar have recognizable faces at the bedside

Materials: n/a

Categories: Medical Physical, So-So L T Memory, Poor L T Memory, So-So S T Memory, Poor S T Memory

Information: The symptoms of delirium include incoherent speech hallucinations and inability to concentrate

References: n/a

Keywords: Confused confusion absentminded forgetful

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

Try: Perform massage on the stump as a form of pain management applying a heating pad on the amputated site will help reduce phantom pain encourage the cr to perform relaxation and deep breathing exercises encourage regular use of compression stockings to decrease phantom limb syndrone help the cr manage phantom limb syndrone by tapping gently rubbing and desensitizing the amputated site

Materials: Lubricant heating pads compression stockings

Categories: Medical Physical

Information: Phantom limb syndrone is the sensation that an amputated or missing limb even an organ like the appendix is still attached to the body and is moving appropriately with other body parts approximately 60 to 80 of individuals with an amputation experience phantom sensations in their amputated limb and the majority of the sensations are painful phantom limb pain is usually intermittent the frequency and intensity of attacks usually declines with time phantom sensations may also occur after the removal of body parts other than the limbs breast removal tooth extraction and so on

References: n/a

Keywords: Amputation imaginary limbs pain management

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

Try: Use small pretty dishes consider using dishes from cr cr’s china cabinet offer smaller portions of enhanced foods use a solid colored place mat or table cloth this may make it easier for cr to see the plate eliminate distractions turn off the television turn off the phone talk slowly and distinctly make sure cr is not having mouth pain make sure cr cr’s dentures fit properly serve five smaller meals instead of three meals a day serve the meal in an area where cr can smell the food cooking

Materials: Place mats and table cloth pretty dishes enhanced foods that have ingredients added for increased protein and calories

Categories: Medical Physical, Personal

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: Nutrition anemia malnourished weight loss

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

Try: Ease the cr’s mind by reassuring him or her that healthy eating can be fun talk to the cr to find out what his or her favorite foods are discuss with the cr the possibility of using a simple healthy meal plan using the following healthy plate method vary your veggies – fill half the plate with colorful dark green orange red and yellow vegetables go lean with protein – fill .5 of the plate with leaner cuts of meat poultry or fish be sure to trim off any fat take charge of carbs – fill .5 of the plate with rice pasta or starchy vegetables drink low fat or skim milk add fruits for dessert show the cr how his or her favorite foods can be incorporated into the healthy plate if you or the cr has a computer available you may want to research additional

Materials: Plate favorite foods computer with an internet connection

Categories: Medical Physical, Personal

Information: From the diabetes association online you also may be able to get additional information locally from the diabetes association and other related organizations information

References: Adapted from www eatright org www myplate gov and www diabetes org

Keywords: Blood sugar imbalance glucose low carbohydrate diet healthy eating nutrition

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

Try: Encourage the cr to do the following provide coaching and encouragement as needed practice core strengthening exercises several times a day do a sit to stand activity using a chair with a back support and arm rest practice weight- bearing and weight- shifting on both feet for longer duration using a walker or cane while watching tv or during free time strengthen both lower limbs with repetitive resistance activities using ankle weights by kicking a ball forward while seated on a chair with back support and arm rest practice walking around the house and negotiating obstacles using an assistive device or gait belt with stand-by support from you or another individual perform mini-squat activities as tolerated holding onto stable furniture or caregiver assist the cr in walking up and down the stairs with both hands on the railings and using alternating feet

Materials: Ankle weights that are 3-5 pounds or more as tolerated by the cr gait belt assistive device such as a walker or cane stairs with hand rails proper footwear stable furniture chair with back support and arm rest

Categories: Medical Physical

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: Lower body weakness strengthening exercises instability poor mobility shuffling feet

*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