Try: Set table with placemat optional at each place setting put a knife and spoon on the right and a fork on the left put the napkin next to the spoon and the glass and cup on the right above the knife and spoon explain to the cr where you are going and help him or her to the table put the prepared foods meat potatoes pasta and vegetable consistently in the same place on the plate let the cr know what you are doing as you set the plate in front of him or her let the cr know where the utensils glass cup and napkin are located describe where each food item on the plate is by using a clock for example the chicken is between the 3 and 6 o’clock position the green beans are between the 12 and 3 o’clock position and so on allow the cr to eat without added help if at all possible don’t hurry the cr through the eating experience

Materials: Computer with an internet connection phone book and phone

Categories: Medical Physical, Personal, Needs Some Assistance, Needs Much Assistance, So-So Vision, Poor Vision, Fully Aware, Somewhat Aware

Information: A severe visual impairment does not imply that the cr is unable to feed self

References: n/a

Keywords: Poor vision low vision visually impaired difficulty eating not eating

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

Try: Suggest that cr try to keep at least one hand free at all times; try using a backpack or fanny pack to hold things rather than carrying them in his her hands make sure cr avoids carrying objects in both hands when walking as this interferes with balance suggest that cr attempt to swing both arms from front to back while walking it will help him her to maintain balance posture and reduce fatigue suggest that cr consciously lift his her feet off of the ground when walking shuffling and dragging of the feet may cause cr to lose his her balance when trying to navigate turns suggest that cr use a u technique of facing forward and making a wide turn rather than pivoting sharply suggest that cr try to stand with his her feet shoulder width apart when his her feet are close together for any length of time he she increases the risk of losing his her balance and falling encourage cr to do one thing at a time cr should avoid trying to walk and accomplish another task such as reading or looking around the decrease in his her automatic reflexes complicates motor function so the less distraction the better encourage cr to avoid wearing rubber or gripping soled shoes they may catch on the floor and cause tripping encourage cr to move slowly when changing positions suggest that cr use deliberate concentrated movements and if needed use a grab bar or walking aid suggest that cr count 15 seconds between each movement for example when rising from a seated position wait 15 seconds after standing to begin walking if cr becomes frozen suggest that cr try to visualize stepping over an imaginary object or place your foot in front of cr’s to step over avoid pulling cr this may throw him her off balance and even prolong the episode if balance is a continuous problem cr may want to consider a walking aid such as a cane walking stick or walker once cr has mastered walking with help he she may be ready to try it on his her own again

Materials: Backpack or fanny pack grab bar walker or cane

Categories: Sage, Topic, Medical Physical, Mobility, Needs Some Assistance, Needs Much Assistance

Information: n/a

References: Adapted from www webmd com prevent falls and maintain balance with parkinson parkinson’s disease reviewed by jon glass 2010

Keywords: Balance walking unsteady

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

Try: Monitor cr cr’s overall sleep habits are there lots of catnaps by day does he she rise later and later and then stay up later try to avoid letting your household fall victim to an older adult adult’s topsy-turvy schedule minimize naps by day by waking cr and initiating an activity turn off the tv at night create an evening routine that helps flag that it it’s time for sleep include a snack that promotes sleep such as warm milk; play gentle music; turn down the lights around the house avoid keeping a tv in cr cr’s room if it it’s viewed all night keep the room dark and quiet to encourage sleep

Materials: n/a

Categories: Sage, Topic, Medical Physical, Cognitive Awareness, Somewhat Aware, Unaware

Information: n/a

References: Adapted from www caring com how to handle difficult behaviors by f paula spencer scott no date

Keywords: Sleep awake insomnia

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

Try: Using a peak flow meter for asthma care using a peak flow meter may help you manage your asthma symptoms with asthma the inability to exhale air out of the lungs is responsible for many of the symptoms of asthma a peak flow meter is an inexpensive portable handheld device that is used to measure how well air moves out of your lungs developing an asthma action plan your health care provider can assist you in developing an asthma action plan this plan can help you to manage your asthma and prevent asthma attacks the asthma action plan is designed to tell you what to do when you experience changes in the severity of your symptoms and in your peak flow numbers keeping an asthma diary keeping an asthma diary allows you to record your asthma symptoms triggers and treatment so you can monitor your asthma keeping an asthma diary will help you recognize asthma attacks and head them off before you become seriously ill controlling asthma triggers controlling asthma triggers is possible if you know which triggers or allergens cause your symptoms your asthma triggers may be dust mites molds pollens pets cockroaches and household irritants secondhand tobacco smoke may also be an asthma trigger other asthma triggers include ozone environmental toxins strong odors weather fronts cold air and humidity consider an air filter if you suffer from asthma at home an air filter may help reduce allergy triggers learn what these air filters do to help reduce allergy and asthma triggers natural asthma remedies natural asthma remedies may include treatment such as herbs dietary supplements acupuncture chiropractic massage therapy biofeedback homeopathy nutrition and botanicals these treatments are often not backed up by medical science so consider this when trying options

Materials: n/a

Categories: Medical Physical

Information: n/a

References: Webmd com

Keywords: Asthma asthma care

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

Try: Stick to a consistent bathing routine make it the same time cr has always bathed first thing in the morning right before bed avoid reminding or even mentioning how long it it’s been since the last cleanup instead of arguing proceed with bath preparations skip asking did you shower or would you like to shower now get everything ready and invite cr look your bath is ready i know how you love your evening bath try leading cr to the bath unexpectedly on your way to doing something else or lead the way to the bathroom but without talking about a bath have everything ready so you don’t leave cr alone as he she may give up try not to worry about a full daily bath or shower bathe weekly and top and tail clean face genitals as best you can the other days if you find bathing difficult or concerns about privacy make this a tense time for the two of you consider hiring an aide who can come to do this task two or three times a week if hiring a professional isn’t in the cards maybe there there’s a better family member for the job such a son who’ll bathe a father

Materials: n/a

Categories: Sage, Topic, Medical Physical, Personal, Cognitive Awareness, Somewhat Aware, Unaware, Long-Term Memory, So-So L T Memory, Poor L T Memory, Short-Term Memory, So-So S T Memory, Poor S T Memory

Information: n/a

References: Adapted from www caring com alzheimer alzheimer’s symptom forgets to bathe by staff writer no date

Keywords: Bathe shower bathroom personal care memory loss

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

Try: Install a monitoring device a baby monitor will help you hear if cr falls or needs help this might be particularly helpful if cr has severe cognitive issues like memory loss or confusion take caution when using heating devices avoid using portable space heaters in cr cr’s bedroom if cr uses an electric blanket or heating pad keep the controls out of his her reach if cr tends to get up at night to drink eat or use the bathroom try to meet these needs before he she goes to bed

Materials: Baby monitor

Categories: Sage, Topic, Medical Physical, Mobility, Needs Some Assistance, Needs Much Assistance, Independence, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision, Cognitive Awareness, Somewhat Aware, Unaware, Long-Term Memory, So-So L T Memory, Poor L T Memory, Short-Term Memory, So-So S T Memory, Poor S T Memory

Information: n/a

References: Adapted from www mayoclinic comhome safety tips preparing for alzheimer alzheimer’s caregiving by staff writer 2011

Keywords: Bedroom safety up at night electric blankets portable space heaters

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

Try: Avoid clutter recycle newspapers and magazines keep areas where people walk free of furniture keep plastic bags out of reach limit knickknacks and other decorative objects trim large plants and remove any plants that might be toxic if eaten mark glass doors windows and furniture place a decal on glass at crs eye level if possible to help him her see glass panes take caution when using fireplaces avoid leaving cr alone with an open fire in the fireplace

Materials: Window decals

Categories: Sage, Topic, Medical Physical, Mobility, Mobile, Needs Some Assistance, Needs Much Assistance, Independence, No Supervision, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision, Vision, So-So Vision, Poor Vision

Information: n/a

References: Adapted from www mayoclinic comhome safety tips preparing for alzheimer alzheimer’s caregiving by staff writer 2011

Keywords: Living room falls falling home safety

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

Try: Always be calm and understanding when accidents occur wear gloves this prevents the spread of disease; wash hands before and after assistance if cr cannot use the toilet and cannot learn to use a urinal commode or in-bed toileting try using incontinence products if cr can move around on his her own avoid encouraging bed toileting try to watch for signs of urinary tract infection blood in urine cloudy urine with sediment etc because cr may not recognize the need to use the toilet suggestions to go to the bathroom can be very helpful–just a simple reminder after a meal for example or early in the morning or before bedtime if cr is in the early stage of memory loss leave a bathroom light on at night so he she can find the bathroom easily if the bathroom is in another room make sure the pathway is marked marking a path can be done with something simple such as reflecting tape or signs if cr has a moderate level of memory loss and can’t toilet him herself independently try waking him her at night to take hi her to the bathroom if cr has sleeping problems you may want to ask cr to use incontinence products you may need to try different incontinence products before you find the one that works best for cr some companies are willing to send sample packages to let you experiment with different styles shapes and closures

Materials: Rubber gloves

Categories: Sage, Topic, Medical Physical, Personal, Mobility, Needs Some Assistance, Needs Much Assistance, Independence, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision, Cognitive Awareness, Somewhat Aware, Unaware, Long-Term Memory, So-So L T Memory, Poor L T Memory, Short-Term Memory, So-So S T Memory, Poor S T Memory

Information: n/a

References: Adapted from www caring com toileting advice when caring for someone with alzheimer’s by staff writer no date

Keywords: Toileting bathroom incontinence bladder urine urinary

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

Try: If cr is mobile and is missing the toilet try getting a toilet seat in a color that is different from the floor color this may help him her see the toilet better if cr fails to remember to wipe himself or wash his hands try prompting him her to do it help him her to do it or do it for him her

Materials: Different color toilet seat

Categories: Sage, Topic, Medical Physical, Personal, Independence, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision, Cognitive Awareness, Somewhat Aware, Unaware, Long-Term Memory, So-So L T Memory, Poor L T Memory, Short-Term Memory, So-So S T Memory, Poor S T Memory

Information: n/a

References: Adapted from www caring com toileting advice when caring for someone with alzheimer’s by staff writer no date

Keywords: Toileting bathroom incontinence bladder urine urinary

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

Try: Lock up breakable or potentially dangerous supplies install childproof latches on cabinets and drawers to limit cr’s access to items such as cleaning products alcohol matches knives and scissors try to prevent cr from accessing potentially dangerous appliances install safety knobs on the stove to prevent cr from turning the stove on or off disconnect the garbage disposal remove artificial fruits or vegetables or food-shaped magnets these objects might appear to be edible

Materials: Childproof latches safety knobs

Categories: Sage, Topic, Medical Physical, Independence, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision, Cognitive Awareness, Somewhat Aware, Unaware, Long-Term Memory, So-So L T Memory, Poor L T Memory, Short-Term Memory, So-So S T Memory, Poor S T Memory

Information: n/a

References: Adapted from www mayoclinic comhome safety tips preparing for alzheimer alzheimer’s caregiving by staff writer 2011

Keywords: Kitchen safety wandering rummaging

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