Try: Encourage cr to wash both hands frequently encourage cr to stay away from people who are ill suggest that cr take a daily vitamin encourage cr to eat lots of fruits and vegetables which contain vitamins and will build up his her immune system suggest that cr try a zinc supplement which some studies have found may help reduce infections in the elderly

Materials: n/a

Categories: Sage, Topic, Medical Physical

Information: n/a

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

Keywords: Secondary illness immune system breathing problems lung problems

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

Try: If cr doesn’t have central air conditioning which filters and then circulates cool air consider getting it for him her or having cr move somewhere that has it but be sure to change the filters frequently as it is imperative to get all irritants out of the air make sure there is no mold anywhere in the home as mold can irritate the lungs try to use only vacuum cleaners with hepa air filters that trap the dust try washing bed linens pillows and curtains in hot water to kill any dust mites try restricting the area of the home where pets are allowed to try to reduce the amount of pet dander also if cr has a pet vacuum the home twice a day to keep things clean try removing all carpets try to avoid painting the inside of cr’s home or redoing the floors with polyurethane coating as paint and polyurethane can irritate lungs try running a fan that vents to the outdoors for at least 20 minutes when cooking or showering as this will help avoid moisture buildup which can lead to mold try to avoid using any aerosol sprays or scented products when with cr or in cr’ cr”s home as they can cause breathing problems for cr

Materials: Air conditioner filters fan that vents to the outdoors

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

Information: n/a

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

Keywords: Breathing problems lung problems immune system indoor pollution clean air

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

Try: Encourage cr to exercise exercising can help tone cr cr’s muscles and get them to work more efficiently helping to counteract the loss of muscle mass and strength due to inadequate oxygen so encourage cr to try to gradually build up how many steps he she can take till he she is a bit stronger consider looking into a local lung rehab program some communities have lung rehabilitation programs that could be very helpful gradually strengthening cr and teaching him her ways to cough and manage bronchial drainage more effectively try suggesting that cr rest for an hour after each meal to give the body time to digest the food eaten before using energy on something else suggest that cr try keeping the things he she needs right by his her chair so that it isn’t necessary to move very much to get them suggest that cr try immediately setting the table with dishes and silverware he she removes from the dishwasher — saving the energy of putting them away in the cabinets and then removing them to set the table suggest that cr put pots and pans back on the stove after washing them to save the energy of having to bend to put them away and then to get them out again if cr lives alone find someone else to prepare meals shop and do chores for him her

Materials: n/a

Categories: Sage, Topic, Medical Physical

Information: n/a

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

Keywords: Oxygen lungs breathing low energy

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

Try: Try preparing milk shakes or juices in gelatin form to try to make swallowing easier as thicker drinks facilitate swallowing try serving cr moist and soft foods to make eating easier avoid foods that create crumbs — like crackers or cakes — as these may get caught in the cr’s throat encourage cr to eat very small bites and to chew food thoroughly before swallowing suggest that cr takes a small sip of a drink and holds it in his her mouth while preparing to swallow in order to moisten whatever has been chewed

Materials: n/a

Categories: Sage, Topic, Medical Physical, Mobility, Needs Some Assistance, Needs Much Assistance, Immobile, Independence, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision, Verbal Communication, So-So Verbal Comm, Poor Verbal Comm, Cognitive Awareness, Somewhat Aware, Unaware

Information: n/a

References: Adapted from www care com caring for seniors with parkinson parkinson’s disease by staff writer no date

Keywords: Swallowing choking

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

Try: Suggest that cr try to stay away from sick people especially in enclosed small spaces such as cars or elevators encourage cr to wash his her hands often encourage cr to avoid touching his her eyes nose or mouth which will help prevent any germs that may have been picked up through touch from entering the body in those locations help cr build up his her immune system by getting lots of sleep eating well which means lots of fruits and vegetables in addition to protein managing stress levels and consuming enough fluids

Materials: n/a

Categories: Sage, Topic, Medical Physical

Information: n/a

References: Adapted from www care com caring for seniors with pneumonia and the flu by staff writer no date

Keywords: Flu virus weakness

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

Try: Try giving cr plenty of fluids and make sure he she rests saving strength for recovery fluids help loosen secretions so that the patient can then bring up phlegm try to get cr to eat something that will build up his her strength such as lentil or chicken soup try to avoid letting cr do any chores until he she gets stronger wash your hands before preparing cr cr’s food or touching him her make sure no visitors have colds or coughs try propping cr up in bed with some pillows to see if that helps his her breathing

Materials: Pillows

Categories: Sage, Topic, Medical Physical

Information: n/a

References: Adapted from www care com caring for seniors with pneumonia and the flu by staff writer no date

Keywords: Flu sick in bed

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

Try: Encourage the cr check his or her legs and feet daily to see if there are any cuts blisters or calluses encourage the cr to wear shoes that fit properly to avoid foot injuries encourage the cr to care for his or her toe nails to avoid accidental scratches and cuts encourage the cr to try relaxation techniques for pain management

Materials: n/a

Categories: Medical Physical

Information: n/a

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

Keywords: Blood sugar glucose pain fingers toes feet foot

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

Try: Make exercising fun for the cr for example the cr could ride a stationary bike while watching a favorite television show or the cr could go for a walk each day with grandchildren if it is fun the cr is more likely to stick with it find a family member or close friend to offer to exercise along with the cr if exercising is also a social activity it may be more fun and interesting for the cr keep it simple for the cr for example a short walk every day or low impact dancing with a home video it is not necessary to join a health club or spend a lot of money start slow and then build from there encourage the cr to get moving even if it is for only a few minutes each day encourage the cr to try exercising for just a week and see if he or she feels better at the end of the week

Materials: n/a

Categories: Medical Physical

Information: n/a

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

Keywords: Exercise

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

Try: Apply either heat or cold or both sequentially the cr can determine if either heat or cold or both helps with the pain and or stiffness apply either heat or cold for only 15 minutes at a time heat can be applied with a warm pack a warm bath jacuzzi or whirlpool electric heating pad or blanket warm lamp or hydro collator pack all of which help relax the muscles other ways of making things warm and soothing are using flannel sheets heating up clothes in the dryer for a minute or two before putting them on or using hot water bottles on the sore areas if cr has morning stiffness try using a heating pad before he or she gets up otherwise the cr can try taking a warm shower when he or she first gets out of bed if cr has painful swollen joints try applying coldness to the area s coldness helps numb the painful area and can be applied with an ice pack it can be very helpful for joints that are especially painful and swollen

Materials: Heating pad cold pack hot water bottle

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

Information: n/a

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

Keywords: Joints pain in joints swollen joints stiffness stiff back stiff neck gross motor coordination fine motor coordination

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

Try: Investigate different types of relation therapies either at the library or on the internet relaxation techniques are most helpful if used before pain becomes too severe some examples of relaxation options include visualization prayer meditation focusing on relaxing each part of the body in sequence this is often accompanied by a tape the cr would focus on tightening and then relaxing each part of the body in sequence

Materials: Relaxation tapes

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

Information: n/a

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

Keywords: Joint pain joint stiffness relaxation gross motor coordination fine motor coordination

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