Try: Encourage the cr to implement the following suggestions avoid rubbing or scratching the affected area and to be very gentle there try using only lukewarm water and avoid anything hot or cold on the affected area use only soaps that are fragrance-and-deodorant-free gently pat him herself dry with a very soft towel after bathing try to keep his or her room as cool and humid as possible by using a vaporizer or humidifier this will make it more comfortable for the skin search for clothes and bed linens that have soft fabrics such as silk or satin these will be far more comfortable than others avoid wearing clothing that fits tightly over the area treated avoid using heating pads or ice packs over the area treated try to keep the affected area out of the sun until it heals help the cr understand that the skin changes should go away in a few weeks however the skin quality may not return to what it had been in thickness and color

Materials: Fragrance-and-deodorant-free soap very soft bath towel vaporizor or humidifier clothes and bed linens made of soft fabrics silk or satin

Categories: Medical Physical

Information: n/a

References: Adapted from www care com helping seniors undergoing radiation therapy by staff writer no date

Keywords: Dry skin itch itchiness

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

Try: Encourage cr to walk if it is not too painful as this might increase blood circulation and reduce the neuropathy caution cr to avoid using sharp objects such as razor blades knives and scissors because cr may not perceive he she is getting cut until it is serious an electric shaver would be safer at this time check that cr cr’s finger and toe nails are not sharp or too long so that cr won’t inadvertently scratch him herself with them avoid keeping the temperature in cr’s home very warm or cold as either extreme could be painful purchase shirts that don’t need to be buttoned shoes that don’t need to be tied and pants that don’t need to be fastened these will make cr cr’s life easier and help him her to be more independent

Materials: Electric shaver nail clippers and file pullover shirts velcro fastened or slip on shoes elastic waiste band pants

Categories: Sage, Topic, Medical Physical, Touch, So-So Touch, Poor Touch

Information: n/a

References: Adapted from www care com caring for seniors undergoing chemotherapy by staff writer no date

Keywords: Numbness touch fingers toes tingling figertips

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

Try: Eliminate all smells in cr cr’s home such as from food especially fish garbage or even car exhaust any of which could provoke nausea offer cr many small easy-to nibble portions of food throughout the day keep snacks such as nuts crackers or dried fruit by cr cr’s bed as eating a little bit before getting up helps counteract nausea suggest that cr rest after a meal in order to hasten digestion which will help lessen nausea if possible encourage cr to eat outside in the fresh air fresh air will help counteract nausea offer cr liquids — especially water flat ginger ale cold mint or ginger tea — which help prevent nausea suggest that cr suck lemon drops peppermint or ginger candy which helps prevent a dry sour taste which can trigger nausea try to find something for cr to focus on after meals — such as a video board game tv show or cards — to take his her mind off of nausea and help prevent it

Materials: Flat ginger ale cold mint or ginger tea salty snacks – nuts crackers dried fruit lemon drops peppermint or ginger candy board games playing cards videos

Categories: Sage, Topic, Medical Physical

Information: n/a

References: Adapted from www care com caring for seniors undergoing chemotherapy by staff writer no date

Keywords: Nausea vomiting diarrhea nautious stomach ache queezy

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

Try: Prepare soft moist and easy-to-chew foods such as cooked cereal mashed potatoes eggs cottage cheese pureed soups or baby food other sweeter options include ice cream pudding yogurt milkshakes smoothies jello bananas applesauce and custards puree cooked foods in a blender to make them easier to eat take care to wash all blender parts — ideally in a dishwasher — before and after use to avoid infection offer cr food in very small bite-size portions and always accompany it with something to drink soften food with gravy sauces broth yogurt etc serve foods at room temperature or cooler warmer foods may be painful as they go through the mouth and throat offer cr ice chips or popsicles to suck on throughout the day as they can help relieve mouth pain

Materials: Soft easy-to-chew foods gravy sauces broth and or yogurt blender

Categories: Sage, Topic, Medical Physical

Information: n/a

References: Adapted from www care com caring for seniors undergoing chemotherapy by staff writer no date

Keywords: Mouth throat lips chewing chew swallow swallowing

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

Try: Get rid of anything cr could trip on such as coffee tables toys on the floor throw rugs make sure there are clear pathways within and to each room paint doors and trim a color that contrasts with the wall colors so they will stand out more do the same with banisters put yellow strips on the edge of each step and also at the beginning and end of ramps install grab bars for the tub and shower

Materials: Grab bars yellow tape

Categories: Sage, Topic, Medical Physical, Mobility, Needs Some Assistance, Needs Much Assistance, Independence, Some Supervision, Vision, So-So Vision, Poor Vision

Information: n/a

References: Adapted from www care com caring for seniors with vision loss by staff writer no date

Keywords: Vision visually eyes eye sight seeing

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

Try: Ask cr and let him her tell you what kinds of help if any would be appreciated if the vision loss is relatively new it it’s possible cr may just feel frustrated and not yet know what kinds of help he she needs try to find some internet or library resources that will help you help cr if cr can still read print try enlarging the material and sharing what you find with him her or you could read the material to cr suggest that cr join a support group for coping with vision loss try to be as understanding as possible during the adjustment period during which anger and frustration may be simmering

Materials: n/a

Categories: Sage, Topic, Medical Physical, Mobility, 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 care com caring for seniors with vision loss by staff writer no date

Keywords: Vision visually eyes eye sight seeing

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

Try: Try to encourage cr to move around more and do some exercise movement and exercise can help strengthen muscles and bones and diminish the balance problem however make sure cr moves carefully and safely perhaps with the help of a walker or of an attendant — either a family member or home care aide try to find some exercises on the internet or at the library that would help be sure you know how to do them properly and then guide cr while he she does them or if you live far away encourage cr to do the exercises and help find someone to work with him her to do them properly try to give cr positive reinforcement for movement while also acknowledging any pain cr may be experiencing to strengthen cr cr’s determination to keep moving as much as possible try to learn how to assist cr with mobility issues like the proper way to help him her get up from a chair couch and transferring him her onto and off of the toilet remind cr not to carry bulky loads such as laundry or garbage as these could destabilize him her try to find someone to do cr cr’s laundry as needed and to take out the garbage try to learn the proper way to fall safely and how to get up from a fall and teach these techniques to cr practicing these measures could help overcome cr’s fear of falling

Materials: Cane or walker

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

Information: n/a

References: Adapted from www care com caring for seniors with mobility problems by staff writer no date

Keywords: Frail mobility falls falling

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

Try: Try getting clothes that fasten in front and replace zippers and buttons with velcro fasteners avoid getting clothes that go over the head or that have tight spots try replacing lace shoes with onesthat fasten with velcro try to avoid letting cr wear shoes that stick to the floor as they could cause a fall try to get cr to replace her cape with a regular coat

Materials: Velcro fasteners

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 care com helping seniors recover from stroke by staff writer no date

Keywords: Dressing clothing shoes

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

Try: Suggest that cr avoid anything tight in the chest or abdomen that could restrict breathing such as belts bras and girdles suggest that cr avoid wearing heavy clothing such as coats and sweaters this type of clothing can be exhausting as these items require extra energy to wear trying on clothing can itself be tiring instead encourage cr to measure him herself with a tape measure or be measured by someone knowing these measurements will enable cr to buy clothes either on line thereby saving the energy needed to shop or in a store without trying them on before purchasing the clothes however cr should make sure that they can be returned and by what date

Materials: n/a

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

Information: n/a

References: Adapted from www care com caring for seniors with breathing problems by staff writer no date

Keywords: Dressing shopping clothing breathing problem lungs respiratory oxygen fatigue tired

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

Try: Try helping cr apply for a handicapped parking sticker these can be obtained from your state state’s registry of motor vehicles and the application usually requires a doctor doctor’s signature having a handicapped sticker would ensure that cr could always park close to the entrance of the building he she is going to and might enable him her to get out more try looking into public transit options many communities provide rides for seniors which would be another option suggest that cr take a cab to visit a friend or relative try asking a friend or relative to drive cr try talking to cr about inviting friends and or relatives over so he she can socialize without leaving home

Materials: n/a

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

Information: n/a

References: Adapted from www care com caring for seniors with breathing problems by staff writer no date

Keywords: Socializing transportation breathing problems fatigue energy oxygen lungs

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