Try: Encourage proper use of aids such as walkers or canes if prescribed in all settings community and home remove throw rugs from cr’s home learn how to assist cr while he she is sitting or walking these techniques are called transfer or transferring

Materials: n/a

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

Information: With the claims medicare processed to make sure he she or medicare weren’t billed for services or items he she didn’t get encourage cr to check his her receipts and statements early , the sooner cr sees and reports errors the sooner they can be corrected or fraud can be stopped

References: traumatic brain injury a guide for caregivers of service members and veterans – module 2 by the office of the u s surgeon general no date available at www traumaticbraininjuryatoz org

Keywords: Unsteady walking balance falls

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

Try: Try preparing single doses in advance with the appropriate instructions these might be placed in cr’s usual sitting area alternatively try asking a trusted neighbor to help by dropping in when it is time for the medication to be taken

Materials: Pen paper

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: basic suggestions to improve care by northwestern university feinberg school of medicine 2002 available at www brain northwestern edu

Keywords: Medication reminders

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

Try: Try to keep frequently used personal belongings where cr spend the most time or in cr’s orientation area try putting a label and perhaps an outline of the object marked on a shelf in the area to increase the chance of it being returned and easily located the next time try asking cr to practice placing the item over its outline suggest that cr wear his her eyeglasses on a chain around his her neck or help cr remember to use an eyeglass stand

Materials: Eyeglass chain eye glass stand tape pen and paper

Categories: Sage, Topic, Medical Physical, Personal, Independence, Some 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: basic suggestions to improve care by northwestern university feinberg school of medicine 2002 available at www brain northwestern edu

Keywords: Misplaces misplaced loses lost eyeglasses memory loss forgetful forgets trouble remembering disorganized disoriented disorientation

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

Try: Try taping a piece of paper with cr cr’s name address and telephone number to the dashboard for easy access in case cr does become lost or confused suggest that cr carry a cell phone so that he or she can get help quickly if needed place some kind of identifying mark on the cr cr’s car for example tie a ribbon to the car or place a colored styrofoam ball on antennae if the car has one this would make the car stand out in the parking lot with all of the other cars and make it easier for the cr to find encourage the cr to park in a unique location in the parking lot it is not necessary to park as close to the door as possible it would be easier for the cr to remember where the car is parked if it were at the edge of the parking lot next to a tree or some other landmark that can be easily remembered encourage the cr to write the location of the car in the parking lot down on a 3 x 5 card and take it along the cr can refer to the card when leaving the store and jog his or her memory as to where the car is parked

Materials: Eyeglass chain eye glass stand tape pen and paper

Categories: Sage, Topic, Medical Physical, Cognitive Awareness, Somewhat Aware, 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 brain northwestern edu basic suggestions to improve care by northwestern university feinberg school of medicine 2002

Keywords: Disoriented disorientation parking lot driving memory loss forgetful forgets trouble remembering

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

Try: Try to reduce activities in the bathroom to an easy and orderly sequence designate a shelf for cr cr’s use and label and arrange the accessories used for washing and grooming in the order they are to be used to remind cr where to return each accessory try outlining the shape of each one on the surface of the shelf with waterproof tape or ink try labeling sink valves and removing all unnecessary or potentially dangerous instruments to reduce the chance of injury

Materials: Adhesive labels or paper and tape pen or marker

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: basic suggestions to improve care by northwestern university feinberg school of medicine 2002 available at www brain northwestern edu

Keywords: Disoriented disorientation forgets forgetful memory loss bathroom toiletries shaving grooming bathing showering

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

Try: Try to understand that cr’s tastes and ability to eat certain foods will vary try to recognize and adjust to food preference changes but at the same time try to make sure cr maintains a balanced diet for example if cr won’t eat much fruit try making him a smoothie in the blender if cr won’t eat vegetables try offering him her a salad with a tasty dressing if cr likes to eat a lot of cakes and pies try making them with a sugar substitute if cr likes to sit and eat chips try buying low-salt version of the same snacks avoid buying a lot of candy or junk food

Materials: Blender or food processor sugar substitute low or reduced sodium salt snacks

Categories: Sage, Topic, Medical Physical, Smelling, So-So Smelling, Poor Smelling, Taste, So-So Taste, Poor Taste

Information: n/a

References: basic suggestions to improve care by northwestern university feinberg school of medicine 2002 available at www brain northwestern edu

Keywords: Eating food taste food preferences diet won’t eat refuses to eat snacks snacking junk food

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

Try: Avoid stimulating substances alcohol and caffeine interfere with sleep habits if the cr has trouble sleeping avoid alcohol and caffeine for four to six hours before bedtime smokers should also avoid tobacco another stimulant too close to bedtime watch what you eat at night indigestion from spicy and fatty food or having too much food on your stomach can cause insomnia for a better night night’s sleep eat light simple foods several hours before bed relax before bed stress and overstimulation can make it hard to fall asleep try to avoid intense television programs or movies before bed relax with a soothing warm bath and curl up with a book instead avoid worrying or fretting over things right before bed create a sleep-friendly environment whether you try sleep shades ear plugs a white-noise machine or all three there are plenty of tools available to help block out stimulation and bring on slumber temperature helps too — an even 60-75 degrees — is considered the most comfortable make sure the mattress is comfortable for the cr’s needs turn off all electronics including your television computer dvd player and stereo get up if you can’t sleep it is not uncommon to have nights when you can’t fall asleep or you wake up and can’t fall asleep avoid watching the clock which can create more anxiety if you’ve been awake more than 20 minutes get up go to another room and do something relaxing to help you get drowsy

Materials: n/a

Categories: Medical Physical

Information: n/a

References: Webmd com

Keywords: Daylight savings sleep

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

Try: Take a breather to feel alert deep breathing raises blood oxygen levels in the body this slows your heart rate lowers blood pressure and improves circulation ultimately aiding mental performance and energy deep breaths can be relaxing and reduce drowsiness if driving pull over when sleepy if still driving the cr should never drive while drowsy it is simply not worth the risk switch tasks to stimulate your mind try a complex or stimulating activity to stave off drowsiness drink water to prevent tiredness dehydration can cause fatigue make sure you drink plenty of fluids and eat foods high in water such as fruits and vegetables get some daylight to improve sleep try to spend at least 30 minutes a day outside in natural sunlight sunlight can improve sleep and thus reduce drowsiness exercise to increase energy and reduce fatigue regular exercise also reduces the feeling of drowsiness if possible try to exercise 30 minutes a day even basic exercise can improve energy and altertness

Materials: n/a

Categories: Medical Physical

Information: n/a

References: Webmd com

Keywords: Sleep rest drowsiness

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

Try: Staying active doing intellectual tasks and exercising regularly are at the top of ways to combat sleep problems if possible a moderate level of exercise and going outdoors during daytime are suggested crs also need to watch what they eat and drink consuming foods and drinks that contain caffeine – such as coffee tea chocolate and sodas – in the evening can interfere with nighttime sleep look into the cr’s bedroom for sleep issues make sure the mattress is suitable also make sure the cr has a quiet and dark sleep environment if the bedroom and the mattress seem okay maybe the problem is not the sleep environment but the bed partner crs who share a bed with partners who are restless snore or have an illness are likely to be sleep-deprived it may be costly but a separate bed can help if the sleep partner is the issue sticking to a regular sleep schedule can keep the timing right and improve overall sleep the cr should get up and go to bed at the same time each day

Materials: n/a

Categories: Medical Physical

Information: n/a

References: Www bettersleep org

Keywords: Sleep drowsiness rest

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

Try: Try giving cr moment-to-moment cues for example when cr gets up in the morning or after a nap some comment can be made that tells cr what day and what season it is this type of cueing is particularly helpful outside the home for example you might say we are at the post office to buy some stamps and to mail a letter to our son fred try telling cr in advance what is scheduled for the day as well as where he she is going with whom and for how long reviewing these activities upon their completion will also be helpful for example you might say we are done buying stamps and mailing the letter to our son fred

Materials: n/a

Categories: Sage, Topic, Medical Physical, Cognitive Awareness, Somewhat Aware, 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: A recent picture and description of cr a current list of medications and past medications if known a copy of the criteria for emergency evaluations and civil commitments in your jurisdiction a doctor psychiatrist or social worker can help you get this information if possible ask cr to sign a medical release form that allows you to see his her medical information

References: basic suggestions to improve care by northwestern university feinberg school of medicine 2002 available at www brain northwestern edu

Keywords: Disoriented disorientation forgets forgetful memory loss week day year dates

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