Try: #use an adjustable cane to learn how to walk with a cane and to figure out what cane height will work best later if another cane is desired the height will be known in advance wooden canes can be cut to the proper length #when using a cane the elbow should be slightly bent adjust the cane so that it reaches from six inches to the side of your toes and stretches to the outside of the thigh just below the hip joint #once the cane is adjusted to the correct length determine which hand is the best to hold it in if one leg is weaker than the other hold the cane in the opposite hand to the weaker leg #use this 3-step process to walk with the cane ##move the cane forward; ##step forward with the weaker leg so that this leg ends up even with the cane; ##step forward with your stronger leg #the goal is to bring the cane and weaker leg forward together get in the habit of moving the cane hand and the opposite leg forward together the way people do when walking unaided

Materials: Adjustable walking cane

Categories: Personal, Mobility, Needs Some Assistance, Needs Much Assistance, No Supervision, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision, Good Vision, So-So Vision

Information: n/a

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

Try: #put all items near or on the sink #unscrew the toothpaste and put it on the brush #wet the toothbrush with water and brush teeth #rinse toothbrush #add water to cup and rinse mouth #turn off water #dry hands and face the Care recipient (cr) or the caregiver can do any of the above depending of how much help the cr needs if the cr has trouble moving the brush inside the mouth try using a battery-powered toothbrush

Materials: Toothbrush and toothpaste battery operated toothbrush if needed cup and water towel

Categories: Personal, Male, Female, Mobile, Needs Some Assistance, Needs Much Assistance, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision, Somewhat Aware

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: #let the cr know it is time to brush teeth use a soft toothbrush if the cr’s gums are tender #roll a table over the bed or put a lap table on the bed lined with paper towels #adjust the table in front of the cr #place all items necessary for brushing teeth on the paper towels prop the cr up so brushing can be done safely and with ease #drape a towel over the cr’s chest #assist the cr to brush teeth rinse mouth and use mouthwash or other solution #remove the towel and move the table from the bed #clean up materials used

Materials: Toothbrush toothpaste and mouthwash cup of water straw bowl or kidney-shaped basin hand towel paper towels lap table or table that slides over the bed

Categories: Personal

Information: n/a

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Keywords: n/a

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

Try: #buy a small mesh laundry bag from the home or laundry supplies section of a general merchandise store small mesh bags are often designed for the machine washing of delicate clothing # use a large safety pin to pin dirty socks together as they are removed from feet at the end of a day # place pinned dirty socks in the small mesh laundry bag several pairs of socks will fit the bag will prevent the pins from working loose and damaging the laundry machines # launder and dry the socks as usual while keeping them in the mesh bag # the socks will be paired as they come out of the dryer remove the pins before folding and putting them away

Materials: Small zippered or drawstring mesh laundry bag large safety pins dirty socks washing machine and dryer

Categories: Personal

Information: n/a

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Keywords: n/a

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

Try: Music players are offered for low prices at discount and department stores audio books fiction and nonfiction can be purchased through catalogs and online or they can be checked out from most libraries nature recordings can also be purchased online or through therapy and self-help catalogs you may also find them in retail music stores and general merchandise stores music and entertainment centers play the nature recordings at bedtime to help the cr relax and fall asleep many music players can be programmed to replay one or several recordings it may be useful to arrange this if it takes the cr a significant amount of time to fall asleep and stay asleep

Materials: Music player recorded programs of nature sounds i e the ocean and sea animals wind chimes waterfalls and rain bird calls etc audio books

Categories: Personal, Mobility, Needs Some Assistance, Hearing, Good Hearing

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: # the Care recipient (cr) is seated in the chair or on the edge of the bed clothes are in reach #from a seated position a top is removed or put on #to remove pants and underwear the cr stands the caregiver may want to stand next to the cr in case of loss of balance the cr pulls down pants and underwear and sits back down to completely remove pants and underwear #the cr is seated to begin putting on underwear pants socks and shoes instead of bending over try having the cr cross his or her legs to pull on lower body clothing crossing one leg over the other briefly brings the leg closer to the hands #the cr stands to finish pulling up underwear and pants the caregiver stands close as needed #allow plenty of time for the whole process so the cr is not rushed

Materials: Top pullover or button down underwear pants socks and shoes

Categories: Personal

Information: n/a

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

Try: #use a flexible shoe horn to help get shoes on #replace regular shoelaces with curly elastic shoe laces which are curled like a phone cord and do not have to be tied or untied they also come in a variety of colors

Materials: Long handled flexible shoe horn curly elastic shoe laces

Categories: Personal, Mobility, Mobile, Independence, No Supervision

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: #try not to let the cr nap during the daytime hours especially after dinner #help the cr engage in some activity during the day like taking a walk doing leg lifts while sitting on the couch doing chair exercises etc do not perform these exercises within four hours of bedtime though as they can have a stimulating effect in the short term #serve a light snack in the evening to prevent the cr from waking up hungry during the night #adjust the room room’s noise and lighting to promote sleep #make the cr cr’s bed with multiple layers of lightweight covers that can be removed during the night if the cr feels too warm #help the cr get into a pattern of going to bed and getting up at the same time every day #work with the cr to develop a nightly routine leading to sleep; before bed do things that help him or her relax like reading drinking warm milk or decaffeinated tea listening to music meditating taking a warm bath etc #stop intake of caffeine and alcohol well before bed time #if the cr cannot fall asleep with in 30 minutes of going to bed suggest he or she try reading a book or looking at pictures for a few minutes #if possible discourage the cr from using the bed for anything but sleeping and intimate relations don’t have the cr stay in bed during the day to watch tv do crafts or read if he or she can get up and do those things elsewere in the house

Materials: Books warm tea or milk chair exercise tape meditation or relaxation tapes

Categories: Personal, Mobility, Needs Some Assistance, Needs Much Assistance, Independence, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision, Cognitive Awareness, Fully Aware, Somewhat Aware, Unaware

Information: n/a

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Keywords: n/a

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

Try: #locate the areas that the cr typically puts keys phone wallet etc #trim nonslip material to form mats or use premade mats make mats as big or little as needed #place nonslip mats in the spots where keys phone wallet etc are usually kept #the mats can be moved from place to place as needs change

Materials: Nonslip mats made for automobile accessories or nonslip contact material scissors

Categories: Personal, So-So Touch, Poor Touch

Information: n/a

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

Try: #make a safe space for the cr to soak feet locate a sturdy comfortable place to sit where the cr cr’s feet will easily reach into the basin remove electrical appliances from close proximity to where the foot bath will occur and make sure the cr isn’t holding anything with an electrical current in it while soaking feet or while near water # partially fill basin with warm water and add skin cleanser according to package directions # test the water water’s temperature with your fingers to avoid burns # place the towel on tge floor and place the basin on the towel # have the cr soak his or her feet in the water for 10-15 minutes # use the dish sponge to gently wash the cr cr’s feet and toes # use the cotton-tipped swabs to clean between the toes just run the swabs gently between each toe to remove any built-up grime do not scrub the skin with the swab as this may cause small tears that will be hard to heal # rinse the cr cr’s feet with fresh warm water and blot them dry carefully with the hand towel be sure to dry the skin between the toes carefully as well # just before bed apply lanolin-rich lotion to the cr cr’s heels # put dry clean socks on after applying the lotion to keep it from rubbing off the cr cr’s feet will be moisturized and softer by morning or after a few treatments #caution feet may be slippery after lotion is applied so consider having skid-proof socks or slippers on hand for a cr who needs to get out of bed before morning

Materials: Foot bath or plastic basin large towel and hand towel skin cleanser over-the-counter or by prescription from pharmacy cotton tip swabs dish sponge on a long handle lanolin-rich lotion

Categories: Personal, Needs Some Assistance, Some Supervision

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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