Try: #buy a gait belt at a medical supply store a gait belt is a strong webbed belt that adjusts over the cr cr’s clothes and that the caregiver holds onto to provide stabilization and support to the cr during transfers and movement #fit the gait belt around the cr cr’s waist while the cr is seated adjust it so that you can fit a couple of fingers between the belt and the cr cr’s clothing #move the walker into position in front of the cr hold onto the back of the gait belt while the cr stands up at the wheeled walker #when the cr is ready to move forward instruct him or her to push the walker the way you would a grocery cart this direction is generally helpful to crs most of whom have pushed grocery carts many times in their lives and don’t have to think much about the movements involved #if the cr does well for a bit but then gets confused give a simple prompt again push it like a grocery cart to help the cr focus again

Materials: Gait belt wheeled walker

Categories: Personal, 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, 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: Buttonhooks are tools that drag buttons through holes when fingers can’t they can be found in independent living supply catalogs medical supply stores and some drug stores use them to fasten buttons on shirts skirts or pants elastic shoelaces are sold in many drug stores and independent living supply catalogs they are threaded like regular shoelaces but once threaded need only to be tied once the shoelaces stretch effectively turning a shoe from a lace-up into a slip-on shoe velcro straps on shoes can be easier to fasten than laces or zippers many shoes now come with velcro straps so look for them in general merchandise stores and shoe stores as well as in independent living supply catalogs

Materials: Buttonhook elastic shoelaces shoes with velcro closures

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: #see a doctor to explore possible medical causes of the problem talk to the doctor or a pharmacist about the possibility that medications are contributing to the problem #keep a journal to track urinary activities for three days note every time you feel the urge to go to the bathroom and the times you drink or eat liquid fluids or soups #after three days look for a pattern or relationship betweeen the times you drink liquids and the times you need to urinate note if there appear to be regular times of day when you have to go #being aware of your patterns can help you plan around your needs #limit the amount of caffeinated liquids soda coffee chocolate you drink as they can irritate the bladder and cause an increased need to urinate #consider wearing clothing with elastic waistbands to make adjusting clothes easy wear an incontinence liner pad or adult disposable brief if you repeatedly find you are unable to reach the bathroom in time you may find you only need the continence products until you find other ways to adapt #many people have difficulty with continence remember you are not alone

Materials: Examination by a physician or consultation with a pharmacist non-restrictive clothing pen and notebook incontinence liners or briefs if necessary

Categories: Personal, Mobility, Mobile, Independence, No Supervision, Cognitive Awareness, Fully Aware

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: #transfer boards are smooth panels that allow a cr to slide from one surface to another if the surfaces are the same height they are sold in medical supply stores #bring the wheelchair close to the bed and lock the wheels #help the cr get into a sitting position and bring the cr cr’s legs over the side of the bed #fasten the transfer belt around the cr cr’s waist above the clothes #position the transfer board so one end is on the bed and the other on the wheelchair seat make sure both ends are secure #if the cr is able to scoot onto the transfer board monitor to make sure the board stays securely positioned if the cr needs a little help getting started position the transfer board under the cr cr’s buttocks while the cr is sitting on the bed by having the cr sit where the end will go and then lean away slightly so the board can be slid beneath the cr make sure the board is secure #the cr should have one or both feet on the floor #the caregiver stands behind the cr with both hands on the transfer belt #the cr slides across the board one arm holding the armrest of the wheelchair and the other pushing against the transfer board #when the cr is securely in the wheelchair slide the transfer board out from under the cr and off the seat #note that a wheelchair with high wheels may be difficult to transfer from as the cr may have to lift him or herself over the wheel to get in or out of the chair special transfer chairs are usually sold wherever wheelchairs are sold medical supply stores and catalogs

Materials: Transfer belt also called a gait belt transfer board

Categories: Personal, Mobility, Mobile, 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: #transfer boards are short sturdy smooth boards that allow people to slide from one surface to another if the surfaces are the same level they are sold in medical supply stores #position the wheelwhair at a right angle to the surface you want to move to lift the armrest out of the way if necessary #sit on the bed with your feet on the floor #lock the wheelchair in place lean away from the surface you are moving to and slide the board under your buttocks being careful not to pinch them with the board #resume your sitting position push your body up by putting your hands on the board and straightening your elbows slide a little bit at a time over to the wheelchair #sprinkle a little baby powder on the board to make it easier to slide across or reduce friction by placing a plastic bag on the board before sliding across it #stay balanced for the few seconds you are on the board by keeping your shoulders back and your feet on the floor during the transfer #don’t grab the edges of the board while you are transferring the board could pinch your fingers as your weight bears down on the board #once you are in a stable position remove the board by leaning away from it and lifting one buttock #note that a wheelchair with high wheels may be hard transfer out of if the wheels are higher than the seat special transfer chairs are sold through medical supply stores

Materials: Wheelchair transfer slide board powder or plastic bag

Categories: Personal, Mobility, Mobile, Needs Some Assistance, 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: #make sure the bed and mattress are sturdy and will stay in place during the transfer #communicate with the cr through each step of the transfer process letting the cr know in advance what you’re doing and what what’s expected of him or her and listening to his or her concerns #bring the chair to the head of the bed if the cr is moving into a wheelchair lock the wheels and move the footrests out of the way #the cr pivots and sits on the side of the bed with both feet touching the floor make sure non-skid footwear is worn #stand in front of the cr as he or she leans forward brace your knees against the cr cr’s knees and block the cr cr’s feet with your feet ask the cr to push down on the mattress with his or hands and stand on the count of three #support the cr in a standing position assist him or her to pivot and grasp the far arm of the chair or wheelchair continue to assist until the other armrest is grasped as well #lower the cr into the chair bending your hips and knees #position the cr securely with his feet on the footrests #the difficulty of the transfer will depend on the functional ability of the cr how cooperative he or she is able to be the weight of the cr and the condition of the caregiver explore other transfer methods if this method strains either the caregiver or the cr

Materials: Wheelchair or armchair footwear with non-skid sole

Categories: Personal, Mobility, 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

Try: #cut buttons off cuffs #use elastic thread to re-sew the buttons back on and slip the buttons through the buttonholes #when the cr is ready to dress his or her arms can push through the cuffs without having to unbutton and re-button them the elastic thread should give enough for the hands to slip through

Materials: Needle scissors elastic thread caregiver who can sew

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: #switch the wheels on the walker fix the outside right wheel to the inside of the left wheel mount and vice versa you may have to reverse the pins holding the wheels in place make sure the wheels are secure #remove the inside trim from the indoor door frames use the hammerclaw to remove the trim and nails hammer in any nails you can’t remove #if the first two changes don’t make enough difference add an inch to the doorways clearance by re-mounting the doors on double-jointed hinges these special hinges allow doors to open in such a way that the back edge completely clears the doorframe when the door is opened #double-jointed hinges are sold by many hardware stores and do-it-yourself stores although they are sometimes not kept in stock and must be ordered specially you can also find them online

Materials: Hammer and hammerclaw to remove inside strip of door trim double-jointed door hinges power screwdriver caregiver to operate tools

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: #use the sponge-headed cleaning tools to extend the cr cr’s reach to clean after toileting #when outside the home keep a packet of wipes a zipping baggie and a cleaning tool on hand in a plastic bag carry them with the cr in a purse or backpack after use keep the tool in the zipping bag until you are home and can clean it #at home keep the tool near the toilet and clean it in mild soapy water under the tub faucet after use make sure any fecal matter is cleaned from the tool and the tub #when toileting twist a flushable wipe around the sponge end of the tool wipe the front first and then dispose of the wipe the cr may have to wipe several times never wipe the backside and then the front as this can lead to infection #because large bodies come in many shapes some experimentation will be required #for crs who cannot wipe themselves with a reacher an attachable bidet may be helpful these send a spray of clean water up from a small hose while the cr is seated on the toilet they can be found online #if the attachable bidet lacks the pressure necessary to help a cr get fully clean experiment with a hand-held shower head standing naked in the shower set the spray on a strong stream setting and bend over letting the water run over the anal area or if flexibility allows hold the shower head to carefully direct the stream #afterwards pat the area dry with a cotton towel or washcloth launder the towel before reusing it

Materials: Two soft sponge-headed cleaning tools on plastic sticks gallon-sized zipping plastic bags flushable pre-moistened wipes hand-held shower head attachable bidet if desired cotton towel or washcloth

Categories: Personal, Mobility, Mobile, Needs Some Assistance, Needs Much 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: #at home keep two clothespins near the toilet when assisting the cr to use the toilet use the clothespins to fasten the bottom of the tops or gowns to the shoulders or waist of the clothing to keep the fabric out of the way #carry two clothespins in a purse fanny pack or backpack along with other toileting aids for use when helping the cr in bathrooms away from home

Materials: Four clip-style clothespins

Categories: Personal, Mobility, 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