Try: #weave the handle of the utensil through weak fingers to hold the utensil #use one hand or arm to assist in reaching to the mouth lifting the elbow #rest the elbow on a high surface to help the utensil reach the mouth
Materials: n/a
Categories: Personal
Information: n/a
References: n/a
Keywords: n/a
*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed
Try: #buy a marker sticky dots and a small piece of poster board from a drug store general merchandise or office supply store #assign one color of dots to the cr and the other color to the caregiver #put one of each of the dots on the poster board and write in big letters the name of the person to whom that color dot has been assigned #post the poster board in a central spot where both people can read it easily #begin putting dots on all groceries coming into the house matching the color of the dot to the color assigned to the person #use the dots to label other items in the house whose ownership has been questioned books movies magazines toiletries etc #if clothing is an issue find indelible ink pens in colors that match the colors already assigned to each person and use the pens to ink small circles into the labels tags of shirts coats or other items #if necessary make more than one poster board code and post it where needed for example in the laundry room if this will help with sorting clothes or in the bedrooms if the cr or caregiver need additional reminders
Materials: Pen or marker two packets of sticky dots each in a different color small piece of poster board
Categories: Personal, Social, Needs Much Assistance, Independence, Maximum Supervision, 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: #feeding an adult is not the same as feeding a baby or a child even if the actions look the same a child being helped to eat is learning to be independent for the first time an adult being helped to eat is usually losing independence and needs as many opportunities to stay independent as possible even while being fed #ask about the cr’s preference while assisting the cr to eat would you like another bite would you like to taste the chicken and peas together would you like a sip of coffee between bites of pie #sit to the side or front of the cr making sure both of you are physically comfortable #drape a napkin across the cr’s chest to protect clothes from spills #cut food into small-bite sizes and do not overload the fork or spoon #some caregivers and crs find it safer always to serve and eat food from a spoon #offer food at the cr’s pace of eating the meal may take longer than previously make sure the cr has chewed and swallowed what you just fed before holding up another spoonful of food #be very mindful of the cr’s ability to swallow if it has been affected by illness or disability and note if the cr is having trouble swallowing choking or trouble swallowing are problems to report to the doctor #offer sips of drinks throughout the meal unless advised not to by a doctor #use a straw for liquids if the cr is unable to drink from a cup or glass #ask or let the cr know what you are about to do before you dab the cr’s mouth and chin with a napkin #if the cr has lost some ability to judge the heat of foods or drinks and you are worried about burning the inside of the cr’s mouth test the food before serving it by sticking a heat-sensitive baby-food spoon into the middle of it these little spoons work by changing colors if a food is hot enough to burn a baby’s mouth use them only to test food not to serve it as feeding a cr with a baby spoon may look and feel disrespectful
Materials: Patience respect for cr’s independence drink and straw food and utensils napkin temperature-sensitive spoon from baby supply section of most stores
Categories: Personal, Mobility, Needs Much Assistance, Independence, 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: #loop the rubber bands around a plastic tumbler evenly spacing the bands from the top to the bottom of the tumbler #use thin light rubber bands for glass glasses and heavier weight rubber bands for more durable plastic tumblers #encourage the cr to try holding the tumblers with the rubber bands in place the bands increase friction on the surface of the glass making it easier for many people to keep glasses in hand
Materials: Plastic tumbler 6 rubber bands
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: Monitor and write down the sleep habits of the cr during the daytime hours gradually interject more activities during the day at times the cr may take extended naps if possible add walks at various times during the day to increase the amount of exercise the cr is getting try to find out the nighttime routine that worked well for the cr in the past and follow it as closely as possible set a specific time in the evening to start the nighttime routine and keep the routine regular each night limit disruptive television shows late in the evening the loud voices tense dialog and difficult to follow storylines on dramas and other television shows may create stress in the cr and disrupt sleep try substituting a soothing video of soft music or light dialog never underestimate the power of warm milk or a light snack before bedtime after the cr is in bed read a story or an article by using a monotone voice
Materials: n/a
Categories: Personal
Information: n/a
References: n/a
Keywords: n/a
*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed
Try: #bed risers are strong cups that fit around individual legs of bed frames inside the cups are raised fixtures or moldings that lift the legs several inches you can find them at many do-it-yourself stores department stores and online #buy enough bed risers to put one under each leg of the mattress frame #risers can lift the legs of mattress frames about three to five inches determine which new height will work best for the cr #if the cr is very large check the weight-bearing capacity of the risers before raising the bed frame
Materials: 4 or 6 bed risers
Categories: Personal
Information: n/a
References: n/a
Keywords: n/a
*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed
Try: #to get into a lying position on the floor ##stand next to a very sturdy chair if the chair is slightly unstable when using it to get up down from the floor put it against the wall to make it more stable ##put your hands on the seat of the chair ##lower yourself down on one knee ##bring the other knee down ##put your left hand on the floor and lean on it as you bring your left hip to the floor your weight is now on your left hip if it is more comfortable to use your right side use you right hand and go down on your right hip ##straighten your legs out ##lie on your left side right side roll onto your back #to get up from the lying position ##roll onto your left right side ##use you right left hand placed on the floor at about the level of your ribs to push your shoulders off the floor ##your weight is on the left right hip ##roll forward onto your knees leaning on your hands for support ##lean your hands on the seat of the chair you used to get down onto the floor ##lift one of your knees so that one leg is bent foot flat on the floor ##leaning your hands on the seat of the chair for support rise from this position
Materials: Sturdy chair that will not tip and can support the user user’s weight easily
Categories: Personal, Mobility, Mobile, 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: n/a
Materials: Rocker knife
Categories: Personal, Mobility, Mobile, Independence, No Supervision
Information: #a rocker knife is designed for easy one-handed use they can be ordered through independent living catalogs and some medical supply catalogs and stores if finding any of these is difficult contact a reference librarian at your local library or a physical therapist at your nearest area hospital #place food on a plate #put the rocker knife on the food you want to cut #begin rocking the knife and it will cut through the food do not move it in a forward backward motion
References: n/a
Keywords: n/a
*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed
Try: #sport pants can be used as a model to alter regular pants use regular pants that are one or two sizes larger than what are normally worn as fabric will be taken in making seams #make a neat slit down the side of a regular pair of pants from hem to waistband #turn the fabric on each side of the slit under .5 inch iron down and stitch flat #secure the large snaps into place the top half on the underside of the front pant flap and the bottom half on the topside of the back pant flap making sure that when the snap pieces meet the pants fabric hangs neatly #make sure that the wearer’s flesh isn’t showing through gaps between the snaps the bottom half of the snap will have to be set back an additional quarter inch or so from the slit to make sure the top flap overlaps the bottom flap
Materials: One pair of sport pants with side snap buttons to use as a guide if desired very large snap buttons
Categories: Personal, Male, Female, Mobility, Mobile, Needs Some Assistance, Needs Much Assistance, Immobile, 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: #take the sock and place it on the sock aid starting on the side without the straps and with the bottom of the sock on the solid portion of the sock aid #pull the sock up all the way making sure the toe portion of the sock is straight across the sock aid and that there is no extra material hanging off; however do not pull the sock over the other side #drop the sock aid with the sock on the floor while holding the straps #slip one foot in the sock aid so the bottom of the foot is on the solid portion of the sock aid #while holding the straps pull them up the sock aid will slide up leaving the foot in the sock keep pulling until the foot is all the way in the sock and the sock aid comes out #sometimes it is difficult to pull the sock aid up try sprinkling a small amount of baby powder in the sock aid this may help the foot slide more easily
Materials: Sock aid baby powder optional
Categories: Personal, Mobility, Mobile, Needs Some Assistance, Independence, No 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