Try: #incontinence can be related to medication or medical problems and a doctor should be consulted when incontinence begins or does not respond to a treatment #incontinence that goes unmanaged can be embarrassing for the cr and present the caregiver with significant amounts of extra work incontinence that is managed may allow the cr greater confidence to leave the house and reduce the amount of laundry mopping up and cleaning that a caregiver has to do #if it is reasonable given the cr cr’s condition and the caregiver caregiver’s abilities consider and discuss frankly the use of adult disposable underwear #adult disposable underwear comes in a very wide variety of styles designed to meet a number of different needs from light bladder leak protection to an all-around leak-proof brief pull-up and side-tab styles absorbent gels removeable pads briefs for men or panties for women high-volume liquid absorbency or low these are a few of the choices available #look for adult disposable underwear in pharmacies and through medical supply companies a wider variety of styles may be available if ordered for home delivery and better prices may apply check with the cr cr’s physician or pharmacist to locate the toll-free number of a supplier and ask the supplier for a catalog of incontinence products or an over-the-phone consultation to discuss the best match for the cr cr’s needs

Materials: Adult disposable underwear also called adult diapers or chucks pharmacy or mail-order supplier

Categories: Personal, Gender, Male, Female, 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: Cut an x-shaped hole in each of the two tennis balls and slip the balls over the bottom of the legs of the walker so that it will slide more easily across surfaces as the cr uses it for balance and support some independent living supply catalogs now sell tennis-ball-like fixtures with the holes already made look for these catalogs online or in medical supply stores

Materials: Two tennis balls utility knife

Categories: Personal, Mobility, Needs Some Assistance

Information: n/a

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Keywords: n/a

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

Try: #turn off the television twenty minutes to a half hour before bedtime #do the same things every evening around the same time secure the house turn down the bed sheets shut off the television visit the bathroom change into nightclothes brush teeth take medications turn on night lights set the alarm clock get into bed it is helpful to the body’s internal rhythm if this is done as routinely as possible #once in bed if the cr is still unable to sleep play relaxing music or do a few minutes of reading or a crossword puzzle #if trouble sleeping is marked by snoring stopping breathing gasping for air restlessness legs or night terrors consult a doctor a sleep disorder might be occurring requiring diagnosis and treatment

Materials: Regular bedtime routine consultation with doctor if necessary

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

Try: # once a week assist the cr by matching tops and bottoms to make up seven outfits in advance if possible hang the matching clothes on the same hanger use the clothespins to attach loose articles of clothing underwear socks belt etc to each outfit’s hanger so that the whole outfit for the day is together #put each outfit in its own clear plastic zipping garment bag the cr will be able to see the contents of the bags and will have an entire outfit in each bag #for a cr with limited assistance a family member or friend can help on a less frequent basis more bags may be helpful ten days’ to two weeks’ worth of outfits can be laid out in advance if the cr has ten to fourteen pairs of underwear socks etc #place a laundry basket in or near the area where the cr undresses so clothes can be taken off and placed immediately into a basket or hamper at the end of each day

Materials: Seven clear plastic garment bags with zippers clothespins laundry basket

Categories: Personal, Mobility, Mobile, Needs Some Assistance, Needs Much Assistance, Independence, No Supervision, Some Supervision, Long-Term Memory, Good L T Memory, So-So L T Memory, Poor L T Memory, Short-Term Memory, Good S T 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: #shower and wash hair at separate times when the cr takes a shower make sure it is a comfortable safe experience and don’t try to wash the cr’s hair right before or right after the shower #when you’ve set aside time for hair-washing make sure the room temperature is comfortable and that the setting is safe and comfortable if the cr is physically under stress the whole experience may become difficult #seat the cr clothed put the smock on the cr so the clothes are protected from water tuck a towel around the neck hole of the smock #put a very small amount of shampoo in the shower cap and add enough water to moisten the terry cloth liner without getting it dripping wet #place one washcloth in the cr’s hand and keep another one close to your hand #place the shower cap on the cr’s head and begin massaging it through the cap onto the cr’s scalp use the washcloth you have to wipe drips that escape the cap and head toward the cr’s eyes #when the scalp has been massaged remove the cap and rinse the shampoo from it put a small amount of water in the cap and replace it onto the cr’s head massaging the soap from the cr’s hair repeat this process until the shampoo is off the hair and scalp #dry and style the cr’s hair #it may take some practice to figure out the right balance of shampoo and water needed to get the hair clean and let the process work smoothly but it can be done very efficiently and comfortably over time

Materials: Shower cap with terrycloth lining towels measuring cup two washcloths hair dryer comb or brush waterproof apron or smock

Categories: Personal, Mobility, Needs Much Assistance, Immobile, Independence, 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

Try: #read the instructions on the compression stocking bag or box #the stocking comes wrapped in a plastic bag place that bag inside the stocking to make a liner with it before rolling the stocking onto the cr’s foot and leg this will reduce the friction between the stocking and leg and make it easier to put the stocking on #remove the plastic bag from the leg by pulling it through the hole in the foot of the stocking after the stocking is drawn up #always be sure the hole in the stocking is on the top of the foot so you can easily check on the cr’s circulation #if the toes appear to be blue or blue-tinged the stocking is too tight and must be removed immediately failure to remove the stocking can have life-threatening consequences #keep the plastic away from the face and hands of a cr with mobility or judgment problems that would increase the risk of accidental suffocation immediately after use discard the plastic in a safe manner

Materials: Compression stockings long narrow plastic bag the stockings come in

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: #replace washcloths with terrycloth mitts and nylon net balls both are sold with bath products and health and beauty products #the cr or a helper can slip the cr cr’s hand into a mitt or through the loop of a nylon ball and squirt soap or shower gel into it #the mitt can be used anywhere a washcloth can be used nylon balls are not designed for comfortable use however on delicate areas

Materials: Terrycloth mitt nylon net balls with string loop handles liquid soap or shower gel

Categories: Personal, Mobility, 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: #try placing a seat-sized or sofa-sized piece of plywood under a squashy cushion to keep it from sinking into the seat of the chair or sofa #buy a piece of four-inch thick upholstery foam from a sewing store foam is sold by the yard and can be custom cut cove it simply with fabric that matches the cushion and put it under or over the cushion depending on which placement makes it easier for the cr to rise #if these efforts aren’t helpful enough buy a firm foam or gel pad and place it on top of the soft cushion foam or gel pads and seats come in a wide range of styles and prices and are sold through medical supply stores and catalogs you may also find them in independent living products catalogs

Materials: Plywood cut to fit under cushion upholstery foam fabric to cover foam foam or gel pad or seat

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: #consult a doctor if the cr has ongoing trouble falling asleep or staying asleep at night or if lack of sleep or poor quality of sleep are affecting feelings or behaviors #sleep may be affected by medical mental health conditions medication stress caffeine intake or pain look for changes in these areas that may be associated with difficulty sleeping consider reducing stressful situations or discussing with the cr cr’s doctor alternative medications or dosages to promote better sleep #encourage what sleep specialists call better sleep hygiene ##encourage the cr not to sleep in front of the television ##encourage the cr to stop watching television at least a half hour before trying to sleep ##don’t serve caffeinated products coffee tea milk chocolate in the afternoon or evening ##consider replacing use of caffeinated products with caffeine-free food and drinks if a cr is addicted to caffeine assist the cr to taper off during a two to three week period to avoid the headaches that may accompany quitting cold turkey make sure the cr continues drinking an adequate amount of fluid ##encourage a regular schedule for rising and going to bed and for taking naps discourage long naps and naps after dinner make the process of going to bed as routine as possible for example have a small snack get undressed go to the bathroom and go to bed all at a regular time ##if possible discourage watching television or eating in the bedroom reserve the bedroom for sex affection or sleep

Materials: Physician better sleep hygiene caffeine-free alternatives to caffeinated drinks and food

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

Information: n/a

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Keywords: n/a

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

Try: Board c-clamp for use with pastry board try #if the wheelchair is a power chair ask the service provider for a folding arm for the joystick side often because that arm is longer it is the one that prevents close approach to tables #if the cr lives alone raise the table so the wheelchair wheelchair’s arms will fit under the table raise the table on blocks of wood bed risers or small squares of plywood glued or nailed together depending on the kind of table legs involved and the liklihood of the cr running into the legs with the wheelchair make sure that the legs can’t easily slip off whatever is raising them if hit by the wheelchair #if the cr shares the table with others or if wheelchair use is temporary buy a large pastry board from a kitchen supply store and put it at the cr cr’s place with several inches of it extending over the edge of the table #secure the pastry board in place with a c-clamp on the cr cr’s less dominant side so it is less likely to get knocked into the pastry board can act as a table extender make sure the clamp is holding the board securely particularly if hot food is served on it

Materials: Folding arm for power wheelchair if applicable blocks of 4 x4 wood bed risers or squares of 1-inch plywood nails glue hammer caregiver who can use tools large wooden pas

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