Try: When the cr was younger it was considered very important to dress for the occasion the cr’s reluctance to go out of the house could be due to feeling improperly dressed for the occasion the cr may not have grown up in an age of jogging suits jeans and tee shirts help the cr dress up for an outing and make a big production out of it this may give the cr something to look forward to turn planning and choosing the right clothing into a fun activity

Materials: Appropriate attire for going out of the house

Categories: Personal, Social, Mobility, Needs Some Assistance, Independence, Some Supervision

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: #make sure the bathroom and dressing area are warm and well lit #talk about showers and baths as if the day they occur is like a trip to the spa for some beauty therapy #talk up and describe the spa-at-home experience as a relaxing time to get pampered #put a special event at the end of the experience such as a special brunch or watching an old musical on dvd this will provide an incentive didn’t the cr always dress up to go to the movies or brunch #this may also trigger positive memories of special events the cr always dressed up for

Materials: Special outfit makeup nail polish jewelry

Categories: Personal, Gender, Female, Mobility, Needs Some Assistance, Independence, Some Supervision, Cognitive Awareness, Fully Aware, Somewhat Aware, Long-Term Memory, Good L T Memory, So-So L T Memory, Short-Term Memory, Good S T Memory, So-So S T Memory

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: #the cr may be turning down opportunities to drink not realizing that he or she is thirsty #give verbal and visual cues to prompt the cr to drink for example prepare two cups of cold water in front of the cr say that there is nothing better on a hot day than a drink of cold water and then sip from one of the cups yourself while handing the other to the cr #if the cr was raised on a farm try offering water chilled in a tin cup this may bring back memories of cold well water you can buy tin cups in many military surplus stores and camping supply stores #the cr may not be motivated to drink fluids that can’t be seen so serve water juice or soda in clear see-through take-out cups with lids and straws #try making punch or juice more appealing by offering it in goblets or shot glasses #try using frosty mugs and familiar wine glasses to make non-alcoholic drinks such as non-alcoholic beer and sparkling grape juice more attractive #encourage the cr to begin sipping at a drink by putting something non-alcoholic into a wine glass shot glass or glass mug and then make a toast raise your glass and touch it the the cr cr’s the cr may mirror you as you then take a sip of the liquid you’ve put in your glass

Materials: Old fashioned tin cup clear see-through drinking glasses or plastic cups goblets shot glasses frosted beer mugs and wine glasses non-alcoholic beer and sparkling grape juice

Categories: Personal, Female, Needs Some Assistance, Needs Much Assistance, Independence, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision, 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: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: #using the pen write out a gift certificate in the cr’s name make the gift certificate redeemable at the spa gift certificates can be bought in office supply stores made and printed from a home computer or hand-drawn #give the gift certificate to the cr and say there are not many appointments left however you think you can squeeze the cr in today or tomorrow #once the spa session starts in the bathroom have the soft relaxing music playing and offer the cr the soft robe when entering #try to make the cr feel as if bath time is a special time to relax and be pampered offer a facial nail care special skin care or a light massage after the bath or shower you can find care products tailored for men as well as women #while you are caring for the cr in the spa speak calmly and unhurriedly and avoid letting outside noises and people be distracting

Materials: Pen gift certificates purchase at any office supply store whirlpool bathtub if available cd player soft relaxing music facial nail or skin care products

Categories: Personal, Mobility, Needs Some Assistance, Independence, Some Supervision, Cognitive Awareness, Somewhat Aware, Long-Term Memory, Poor L T Memory, Short-Term Memory, Poor S T Memory

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: #offer non-messy finger foods sliced up fresh fruits and vegetables chicken legs fish sticks cheese cubes small baked potato wedges etc #make or heat hearty soups and serve them warm not hot in travel mugs with lids so the contents can’t spill out easily make sure the vegetables rice or noodles can get through the mugs opening by pureeing the soup in a blender before heating it #if the cr is angered by physical help during meals back off and ask yourself what your concern is about extra work embarrassment for yourself or the cr especially for eating meals at home share your concerns in a compassionate way and then let go of the issue if you can

Materials: Finger foods travel mugs warm hearty soup blender

Categories: Personal, Mobility, Needs Some Assistance, Independence, Some Supervision, Fully Aware, Long-Term Memory, So-So L T Memory

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: #a bedrail can be found and installed on one or both sides of the cr cr’s bed if the bed is small one bedrail may be enough to help the cr by giving him or her something sturdy to grip while getting into or out of bed additionally the cr may grasp the rail for support turning in bed #some bedrails are simply installed by inserting a balancing piece between the bed bed’s mattresses others can be fixed to bedframes bedrails come in standard and small sizes some are designed to stay upright and some are made to fold up and down consider the cr cr’s abilities bed and finances while picking a style view bedrails before buying one by viewing catalogs at a medical supply store or looking online at home or at a library #bedrails can be bought over-the-counter through some companies offering independent living supplies in their catalogs and on their websites insurance may pay for bedrails prescribed by a doctor

Materials: Over-the-counter bedrail

Categories: Personal, Mobility, Mobile, Needs Some Assistance, Independence, No Supervision, Some Supervision

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: #light up tweezers are used like regular tweezers but they have led illumination built in to them allowing users to see details at the end of the pincers more clearly they are particularly helpful when used with a magnifying mirror #look for magnifying mirrors in most drug stores #look for light up tweezers online or in independent living catalogs offering products for people who are blind or who have low vision you may also find the tweezers at manicure or styling outlet stores gadget outlets or in places where hair removal products are sold

Materials: Light-up tweezers magnifying mirror

Categories: Personal, Mobility, Mobile, Independence, No Supervision, Vision, So-So Vision, Poor Vision

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: #try moving dinner to an earlier hour #if the cr wants to rest after dinner encourage the cr to rest for no more than an hour if he or she does not wake up the caregiver can gently wake him or her #after dinner and a nap if taken find an activity the cr and the caregiver can do together play cards or dominoes take a small trip out for a treat etc #see what bedtime works look for one that lets the cr get a good night’s rest and that allows a primary caregiver to get rest during reasonable hours as well try a 9 00 p m bedtime and if it doesn’t work adjust it #don’t try to force the cr to stay awake encourage the cr to postpone a nap or bedtime if you think it is in his or her best interests but don’t prevent him or her from resting or sleeping unless medically warranted

Materials: Quiet games flexibility

Categories: Personal, Mobility, Needs Some Assistance, Independence, Some Supervision

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: #a bed rail is a support frame with a piece that slides under the top mattress of a typical bed for stability bed rails can be found through medical supply stores and catalogs most frequently a cr can receive a prescription for one from a doctor based on the doctor’s evaluation of the cr’s need sometimes a doctor will refer a cr to a physical therapist who in turn can let the doctor know what kind of equipment will improve the cr’s safety and mobility at home #bed rails are often helpful to crs who have trouble pulling themselves up when they are lying down who have trouble moving themselves around in bed or who have trouble transferring themselves on or off the bed whether to stand or to get to a chair or wheelchair #if you care for someone who you think could benefit from a bed rail make sure you explain why to the cr’s doctor or physical therapist mention the need to a physical therapist even if the cr is seeing the therapist for something unrelated

Materials: Bed rail sometimes called ‘assist rail’

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

Try: #on each hanger the caregiver puts one pre-planned outfit depending on how much trouble the cr is having the caregiver can simply put a matching top and bottom on a hanger or an entire outfit complete with attached underwear and socks anything that doesn’t fit easily with an outfit on a hanger can be attached to the hanger with a clothespin #the caregiver can prepare a week’s worth of outfits in advance the number of outfits prepared can be adjusted depending on the flexibility of the cr’s wardrobe and the caregiver’s schedule #when the caregiver has prepared several outfits in advance they should be moved toward the front or center of the closet while the rest of the cr’s clothes are moved to less visible positions in the back or sides of the closet #while the caregiver is going through clothes to prepare coordinated outfits he or she can remove all clothing that fits poorly or is inn poor condition preferably move it out of the house altogether at the same time remove or store clothes that are not right for the season these can be stored anywhere in the house that will be safe and out of the cr’s sight

Materials: Sturdy hangers clothespins

Categories: Personal, Mobility, Needs Some Assistance, Independence, Some Supervision, Cognitive Awareness, Somewhat Aware

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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