Try: Elevate the foot to the level of the waist
Materials: n/a
Categories: Sage, Topic, Medical Physical
Information: n/a
References: how foot cramps are caused and how you can relieve them 2007 available at www footcare-central com
Keywords: Foot cramps dehydration hormones pinched nerve alcohol tobacco
*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed
Try: Have a clear understanding of your cr’s needs an honest assessment of your loved one’s physical and mental needs isn’t always easy to do but it is necessary to help you understand what type of care they need are they able to bathe and dress on their own what kinds of assistance do they need with their medications do they need laundry and or housekeeping assistance knowing the answers to these questions will help assess what the cr’s level of care requirements are ask lots of questions related to pricing and what is and isn’t included in the monthly fee apples to apples comparison pricing is often tough to achieve when you are shopping for assisted living amenities and services vary greatly from community to community while some communities have a set fee no matter what services are required others have a base fee with what are sometimes complicated level of care charges added to the base fee that is why it is so important to clarify what is included at each community ask what happens to the charges if your loved one needs more care and services how much notice will they give if the monthly fee will increase are meals laundry and housekeeping included in the monthly fee are there extra fees for medication reminders assistance are there any entrance fees or move-in fees are there any additional fees for cable or local phone services don’t be afraid to ask staff if there are any charges that you haven’t asked them about also ask them what happens if your family member runs out of private funds these are just some of the many questions needed to make an informed decision pay close attention to the staff and ask questions about their credentials and training as you tour watch how the staff interacts with the residents do they know their names and talk with them respectfully ask to meet the administrator and ask him her about the hiring process are staff given background checks is there on-going training and education after they are hired is there a licensed nurse on-site 24 7 or just on call what are the staff to resident caregiver ratios understand how the community handles increased level of care needs because the regulations are sometimes broad in assisted living how each community handles an aging in place resident varies widely understanding each community’s policy is an important factor in selecting a community ask them how they evaluate resident needs and how often how is that
Materials: n/a
Categories: Medical Physical
Information: Communicated back to you what additional services do they have available when the need arises what kinds of conditions would require your loved one to transfer to a nursing home or other level of care if a move is necessary how much notice would they give you investigate the opportunities for socialization and recreation the physical challenges assisted living residents sometimes have can lead to isolation if there aren’t adequate opportunities for socialization when you are touring communities observe if there are any group activities or events are residents participating ask to see the events calendar and ask questions about planned activities are there planned opportunities for residents to go on shopping trips to area malls or out to local restaurants does staff go along to assist residents who need extra help the evening meal is often an important part of the day for assisted living residents observe a meal do residents seem to be socializing and enjoying the dinner information
References: Www assistedlivinginfo com
Keywords: Assisted living
*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed
Try: A basic bedside commode is useful when mobility is limited especially at nighttime to avoid falls new sani-bag commode liners make clean-up a lot easier
Materials: Bedside urinal sani-bag commode liners
Categories: Sage, Topic, Medical Physical, Personal, Mobility, Needs Some Assistance, Needs Much Assistance, Immobile
Information: n/a
References: Adapted from money and time saving strategies for caregivers – part iii by clare absher available at www carepathways com
Keywords: Incontinence bedbound bedroom toileting toilet
*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed
Try: Use a different colored dot for each time of day the medication is taken for example yellow for medicine that is taken in the morning red for one that is taken at noon blue for one that is taken in the evening and purple for bedtime place the dot on top of the pill bottle write a short description of what the medicine is for on the dot for example water pill blood pressure cholesterol blood thinner heart and so on explain to the cr how the system that you have set up is supposed to work if possible watch the cr taking medication to make sure the system works provide coaching as needed and reinforce what the cr has learned about taking the medication
Materials: Self-stick colored circles that can be found in the office supply section of discount stores they are usually used to price items at garage sales
Categories: Medical Physical
Information: n/a
References: n/a
Keywords: n/a
*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed
Try: Ask the cr to follow these instuctions for exercising with the dumbbells #start off with a small set dumbbells that weigh five to ten pounds this will reduce the risk of overexertion or injury if five to ten pounds is too small increase as needed #sit on a chair with feet slightly apart #grasp the dumbbell with one hand and let the dumbbell hang over the edge of the knee #curl the dumbbell up and down for five to ten repetitions #switch wrists during repetitions to give muscles a little rest
Materials: A set of dumbbells that weigh between five and thirty pounds depending on cr’s wrist strength
Categories: Medical Physical, Mobile, Needs Some Assistance, Needs Much Assistance, No Supervision, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision, Fully Aware, Somewhat Aware
Information: n/a
References: n/a
Keywords: Exercise injury strength wrists
*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed
Try: Ask the cr to follow these instructions for exercising on the stairs #step up with both feet on the first step concentrate on the contracting muscles in the ankle #ensure the foot is fully supported by the step do not leave parts of the ankles hanging over the edge of the step #once up on the step concentrate on the ankle muscles relaxing just slightly #step back down off of the step and again concentrate on contracting muscles in the ankle
Materials: The stairs
Categories: Medical Physical, Needs Some Assistance, Needs Much Assistance, Fully Aware, Somewhat Aware
Information: Use a regular size step this exercise involves simply stepping up the stair and then back down
References: Adapted from the internet website www eldergym com
Keywords: Ankles exercise strength
*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed
Try: Try using a convoluted egg-crate foam pad on top of existing mattress
Materials: Foam mattress pad
Categories: Sage, Topic, Medical Physical, Mobility, Needs Some Assistance, Needs Much Assistance, Immobile
Information: n/a
References: money and time saving strategies for caregivers – part iii clare absher no date available at www carepathways com
Keywords: Pressure sores mattress bed bedroom bedbound bedridden immobile
*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed
Try: Use a humidifier avoid wearing contact lenses
Materials: Humidifier
Categories: Sage, Topic, Medical Physical, Vision, Good Vision, So-So Vision, Poor Vision
Information: n/a
References: tips for dealing with dry eyes by alan kozarsky 2011 available at www ksla com
Keywords: Dry eyes eyes burn eyes vision
*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed
Try: Increase nutritional intake of fish oil omega 3 flaxseed
Materials: Fish oil omega 3 flaxseed
Categories: Sage, Topic, Medical Physical, Vision, Good Vision, So-So Vision, Poor Vision
Information: n/a
References: tips for dealing with dry eyes by alan kozarsky 2011 available at www ksla com
Keywords: Dry eyes eyes burn eyes vision
*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed
Try: If getting up out of the seat is not possible or permitted try doing some exercises in the seat to increase blood circulation perform this exercise for 15 seconds once an hour foot pumps slowly alternate between flexing and pointing toes
Materials: n/a
Categories: Sage, Topic, Medical Physical
Information: n/a
References: reducing your risk of deep vein thrombosis during airline travel 2001 available at www health harvard edu
Keywords: Leg cramps leg pain foot feet swollen legs travel taking long trips long car rides air travel
*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed