Care recipient (cr) has difficulty putting a bra on and taking it off due to difficulty managing small closures and limited motion in the shoulders

Try: # cut the front of the brassier open # affix matched velcro strips to each side of the front opening ensure that velcro does not stick out beyond the bra material or it may irritate the cr cr’s skin # determine which setting on the back enclosure provides optimum fit with the velcro in place # sew up the back closure to secure optimum setting optional # the bra can now be put on like a vest with the closure more visible and easier to open and close

Materials: Needle and thread velcro strips choose softest type possible scissors

Categories: Personal

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Method and aids are needed for Care recipient (cr) having trouble rising from chairs

Try: # if the cr uses a walker place this in front of the cr before beginning one of the cr cr’s hands can be on the walker as long as one is also on the surface he or she is sitting on arm of chair seat of chair mattress etc if not using a walker the cr should have book hands on the surface he or she is sitting on or he or she can have one hand on the caregiver if needed # move the buttocks toward the front of the chair ##with feet on the floor and hands on the armrests push down with arms and legs to lift buttocks up and forward or ## walk each buttock forward by leaning left and moving the right buttock forward then leaning right and moving the left buttock forward # with feet on the floor and hands on the armrests lean forward from the waist so that nose is over toes # continue to lean forward while pushing up with arms and legs to lift buttock off chair # as the cr stands straighten his or her back and pause until he or she gets her balance # if a walker is used the cr should brace against walker with back straight until the cr regains balance # the walker may need to be moved forward a few inches to make sure the cr does not lose balance and tip backward

Materials: Walker if the cr uses one a chair with armrests preferably one with a high seat–the higher the seat from the floor the easier the transfer platform to raise chair seat height if cr is over 6 ft tall or if cr is very weak

Categories: Personal, Needs Some Assistance, Needs Much 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

Care recipient (cr) has difficulty keeping dining plate in place while eating

Try: #cut a 9 x 12 piece of the nonslip pad #place the rectangle of pad under the plate to keep plate from sliding on the table #rinse or wipe the pad down after meals and keep it at the cr cr’s regular eating spot

Materials: Small nonslip area-rug pad can be found at many department stores scissors

Categories: Personal, Mobility, Needs Some Assistance

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Care recipient (cr) has trouble with stairs but the low stairways to get into cr cr’s home have no railing and railings could not be easily added

Try: #enlist the help of someone with minor carpentry knowledge if needed #install one set of heavy duty handles on each side of the door frame with steps such as the steps from the garage into the house or from the porch into the backdoor or where needed #these handles should be secured into wooden wall supports and angled and at the proper height so that the cr can easily grab them #make sure the handles will support the weight of the cr as he or she pulls on them to get into the house #the cr can use handles to help climb low stairways allowing him or her to maintain balance

Materials: A set of heavy-duty c-shaped door handles for each entrance to home or problem stairwell bolts for installing these handles

Categories: Personal, Needs Some Assistance, Needs Much Assistance

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Caregiver has difficulty helping Care recipient (cr) move or change positions on a bed

Try: Cut batting material to cover the round dowels tape securely with duct tape when ready to move the cr wrap the edge of the draw sheet or both edges with a second caregiver if the cr must be moved from the bed around the dowel the batting will help the dowel grip the sheet along its entire length instead of just the corners making cr transfers or position changes much easier

Materials: 2-3 foot long round heavy dowel like a broom handle lightweight batting material found in fabric stores duct tape

Categories: Personal

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Care recipient (cr) is unable to fasten buttons

Try: #buy velcro circles at a hardware fabric or office supply store #cut buttons off garment and remove dangling threads #sew a button over the buttonhole this way pull a knotted thread from the underside of the button hole through the holes of the button and back repeating about 6 times up and back through hole in button and garment then tie a knot and cut excess thread #repeat for each buttonhole #sew or iron on grip side of velcro under the sewn-on button #sew or iron smooth sides of velcro to the other side of the garment where button was previously attached lining it up with the opposite velcro section #repeat attaching velcro one button at a time #try opening and closing each section to ensure ease of opening and closing

Materials: Sew-on or iron-on velcro circles purchased at fabric store office supply hardware sewing section of department store etc scissors garment with full front button opening note that buttons for male and female are placed on opposite sides

Categories: Personal, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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