Try: When you sit or lie down do you have a strong desire to move your legs does your desire to move your legs feel difficult to avoid does your desire to move your legs often occur when you are resting or sitting still does moving your legs make the symptoms feel better do you complain of these symptoms more at night do your ever have involuntary leg movements while you are awake are you tired or unable to concentrate during the day do any of your family members have a history of rls symptoms

Materials: n/a

Categories: Medical Physical

Information: n/a

References: Helpguide org

Keywords: Sleep problems restless legs

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

Try: And help the symptoms in fact minor cases of rls can often be treated with lifestyle changes alone the following habits can help reduce the frequency and severity of the rls symptoms materials try have the cr on a regular sleep schedule fatigue can worsen the symptoms of rls so doing what it takes to get enough sleep is crucial try getting to sleep at the same time every night allowing plenty of time for winding down exercise in moderation daily activity including moderate aerobic exercise and lower-body resistance training can significantly reduce the symptoms of rls only encourage the cr to do this if appropriate cut back on caffeine caffeine often makes the symptoms of rls worse don’t give the cr coffee tea or soda if possible avoid alcohol and cigarettes many people with rls find that their symptoms improve when they stop drinking and smoking help the cr lose weight if the cr is overweight dropping the extra pounds can often relieve or lessen the symptoms of rls practice relaxation techniques such as yoga and meditation stress can make rls symptoms worse daily stretching and meditation can promote relaxation and alleviate symptoms in the cr

Materials: n/a

Categories: Medical Physical

Information: n/a

References: Helpguide org

Keywords: Sleep problems restless legs

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

Try: Suggest that cr drink plenty of liquids suck on ice chips suck on popsicles made of milk or non-acid juices dunk or soak foods in liquids use extra gravies sauces salad dressing rinse mouth frequently suck hard candies or chew gum eat sweet or tart foods if no sores in mouth use an artificial saliva product

Materials: Hard candy chewing gum artificial saliva ice cubes pop sickles straws or a cup with a straw

Categories: Sage, Topic, Medical Physical

Information: n/a

References: caregiver’s handbook by the caregiver education and support services seniors counseling and training case management services of the san diego county mental health services no date available at www acsu buffalo edu

Keywords: Dry mouth sore mouth saliva dental teeth gums

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

Try: Check cr’s teeth for tooth decay or gum infection make sure cr avoids alcohol marinate cr’s meat poultry and fish in sweet fruit juices italian dressing or sweet or sour sauces make sure cr drinks plenty of fluids or suggest that cr suck on candies to get rid of bad tastes serve foods at room temperature or cold try serving cr milk-shakes or cheese use stronger seasonings such as basil oregano rosemary tarragon lemon juice or mint when cooking try new foods

Materials: Sweet fruit juices italian dressing or sweet or sour sauces hard candy strong seasonings such as basil oregano rosemary tarragon lemon juice or mint when cooking

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

Information: n/a

References: caregiver’s handbook by the caregiver education and support services seniors counseling and training case management services of the san diego county mental health services no date available at www acsu buffalo edu

Keywords: Taste teeth gums food nutrition eating diet

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

Try: Suggests that cr eat slowly eat small meals frequently avoid gas-forming foods e g cabbage onions nuts beer cola drinks — avoid lounging immediately after eating; stand or sit upright for one hour after eating avoid fried greasy and heavily spiced foods try bland low-fat easily digested foods if cr uses a liquid antacid try chilling it in the fridge before cr takes it

Materials: n/a

Categories: Sage, Topic, Medical Physical

Information: n/a

References: caregiver’s handbook by the caregiver education and support services seniors counseling and training case management services of the san diego county mental health services no date available at www acsu buffalo edu

Keywords: Cramps heart burn or bloating digestion digestive stomach problems stomach ache eating food

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

Try: Take cr to a hair dresser or barber you may be able to find a professional hair care specialist who has experience with clients who have special needs people who provide this service will often come to the home try wetting hair with alcohol or cream rinse to help remove the snarls try using a dry shampoo if cr is bed bound if cr is diabetic or on medication to thin the blood try using an electric shaver to reduce the risk of cuts it is also much easier and safer to shave another person with an electric razor

Materials: Alcohol or cream hair rinse dry shampoo electric razor

Categories: Sage, Topic, Medical Physical, Personal

Information: n/a

References: caregiver’s handbook by the caregiver education and support services seniors counseling and training case management services of the san diego county mental health services no date available at www acsu buffalo edu

Keywords: Shampooing washing hair hair care personal care grooming shaving razors

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

Try: Keep skin clean and dry especially when cr is having problems with bowel and bladder control when washing use a mild soap rinse well and dry thoroughly keep bed linens clean dry and free of wrinkles disposable bed pads can be purchased at a drug store and can keep sheets dry so that you don’t have to change sheets so often massage cr’s skin gently using a light circular motion change cr’s position at least every two hours particularly if cr is confined to a bed or wheelchair encourage cr to shift his her weight between position changes to redistribute pressure onto other areas encourage good nutrition and adequate fluid intake as a supplement to cr cr’s diet give a multi-vitamin every day to ensure proper nutrition use mattress and chairs that are soft and form-fitting rather than rigid and hard example egg crate mattress and sheep skin this spreads the weight over a larger skin area decreasing the pressure under the bones encourage movement or mild exercise; this helps stimulate circulation which is good for the skin combing hair and helping with bathing and dressing are good ways for cr to get exercise and be more independent watch for possible sources of pressure on anything that would interfere with good circulation such as tight shoes elastic cuffed socks or tight undergarments bony prominences are prone to skin breakdown they are heels feet behind the knees hips buttocks sacrum elbows and shoulder blades you may want to order a special air mattress to prevent skin breakdown watch for any redness or a break in the skin and keep cr off the affected side

Materials: Mild bath soap clean dry towel disposable bed pads clean bed linens multi vitamin mattress and chairs that are soft and form-fitting special air mattress

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

Information: n/a

References: caregiver’s handbook by the caregiver education and support services seniors counseling and training case management services of the san diego county mental health services no date available at www acsu buffalo edu

Keywords: Skin care bed bound mobility problems mattress bed sores pressure sores

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

Try: Try using safety features in the bathroom such as grab bars and raised toilet seats these items make using the bathroom safer try using a bed side commode or urinal if cr’s flexibility or the distance to the bathroom is a problem they may be especially helpful at night lack of control over bowel or bladder functions can be embarrassing and cr may try to hide it from you be sensitive to cr cr’s feelings and mention this to cr’s doctor loss of bowel and bladder control is not a part of normal aging and often can be controlled if cr has bowel and or bladder problems it may help to take him her to the bathroom every 2 hours specialized programs exist to retrain a bladder and bowel function you may want to see if a program exists in your area

Materials: Grab bars raised toilet seats bed side commode or urinal

Categories: Sage, Topic, Medical Physical, Personal, Mobility, Needs Some Assistance, Needs Much Assistance, Immobile, 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: caregiver’s handbook by the caregiver education and support services seniors counseling and training case management services of the san diego county mental health services no date available at www acsu buffalo edu

Keywords: Toileting bladder bowels incontinence bathroom safety bed bound

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

Try: Make sure cr eats plenty of fresh fruit vegetables and foods high in fibers try to get cr to drink at least 8 glasses of water a day make sure cr avoids constipating foods like cheese rice bananas etc try to get cr to exercise as much as he she will tolerate

Materials: Fresh fruit vegetables and foods high in fibers water bottle

Categories: Sage, Topic, Medical Physical

Information: n/a

References: caregiver’s handbook by the caregiver education and support services seniors counseling and training case management services of the san diego county mental health services no date available at www acsu buffalo edu

Keywords: Constipation bowels exercise diet nutrition dehydrated hydration inactivity

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

Try: Remove the distributor cap from under the hood or disconnect the battery cable ask someone else to be responsible for making the decision about cr not driving for example the care giver cg could explore the possibility of getting some support from cr cr’s doctor receiving a prescription from a physician indicating that cr should not drive may be more readily accepted than if the instructions came from the cg try having the department of motor vehicles suspend cr’s driver driver’s license may be another option

Materials: n/a

Categories: Sage, Topic, Medical Physical, Mobility, Needs Some Assistance, Needs Much Assistance, Independence, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision, Vision, So-So Vision, Poor Vision, 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: mental health mental illness healthy aging a nh guide for older adults and caregivers by nami nh 2001 available at www nami org

Keywords: Driving car vehicle unsafe to drive drive

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