Try: Have the Care recipient (cr) sit on the toilet at the same time every day usually after the first meal of the day try using glycerin suppositories to stimulate bowel movement for the first 3-4 days while establishing this pattern make sure the cr uses the toilet or bedside commode when trying to have a bowel movement as this position will help to fully empty the bowel add fiber slowly to the diet use natural stool softeners so that the stool passes easily like prunes or prune juice ensure the cr is drinking enough fluids in order to keep stool soft help the cr engage in some exercise during each day to help stimulate bowel activity

Materials: Glycerin suppositories fiber supplements or natural foods with fiber prunes or other natural foods to soften stool

Categories: Continence Toileting

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: #place two egg cartons edge to edge along two long edges with the egg slots all facing the same direction #staple the edges together #add the third and then the fourth cartons for a total of four cartons forming eight rows and 8 columns #on a piece of paper write out the days of the week spacing them so that they will line up with the egg carton columns there will be one unused column #attach this paper along the top edge of the cartons #on another piece of paper write out the times when the cr normally takes meds lining them up with the egg carton rows some rows may not be needed #attach this paper to the row edge of the egg cartons #now pills can be arranged in the grid at the appropriate date and time for a week in advance and the egg cartons have bigger compartments making it easier to dig pills out

Materials: 4 egg cartons with lids removed stapler paper marker or pen

Categories: Medication Mgt, 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: Create a grid on a piece of paper with 2 columns for each medicine and 1 column for each time of day the cr takes medication there should be 1 row for each type of medicine with a few extra in case any medications are added later above first column write name of pill ; above second write why you take it ; and the others write time of day and then the times themselves below that include an exact-size picture of the pill in the box with its name or draw trace the pill so that the cr can be sure they are matching to the correct pill once it is out of the bottle in the first column write the name of the medicine in large letters in the second column briefly and simply describe what it is for place a large x each time the medicine should be taken in the appropriate space in the medicine medicine’s row

Materials: Paper pen or marker

Categories: Medication Mgt, No Supervision, Some Supervision, 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: Public libraries often provide large-print books or a magnifying glass or both can be used to make reading easier they also often provide books on cd or tape some media centers at libraries or on the internet have audio versions of books available for download onto mp3 players some libraries offer small mp3 players that contain an individual book and crs can check out the whole player and return it once the book is listened to

Materials: Portable cd tape or mp3 player magnifying glass

Categories: Leisure, Reading, 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: Limit the cr’s wardrobe to clothing that is easy to put on try these o knit pants that are comfortable and have elastic waistbands; o shirts that snap or can be pulled over the head; o shoes with velcro closures and slip-proof soles ask what color clothes the cr would like to wear that day give the cr a choice between two outfits that are both color coordinated make sure there are always clean clothes in the cr’s favorite colors if the cr wants to wear the same clothing everyday buy several of the same items offer help with dressing and grooming only if needed keep all instructions clear and simple lay out clothes to wear in the order they will be put on

Materials: Clothes which are easy to put on limited decisions for the cr to make

Categories: Dressing Clothing, Emotional Psychological, Memory, Needs Some Assistance, Needs Much Assistance, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision, Somewhat Aware

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: Keep the stool in the bedroom close to the bed once the cr has picked out clothing for the day place the clothes on the bed within reach of the stool the cr can dress sitting or leaning on the stool as needed during the process if the cr wears a belt try putting the belt through the loops before pulling pants on or have the cr try this on his or her own sitting especially when the cr is putting on his or her shirt is especially important remind the cr to put pants on slowly one leg at a time have him or her start by sitting then pull the pants up the rest of the way once the feet are through the leg holes

Materials: Non-slippery stool or seat

Categories: Dressing Clothing, Falls & Balance, 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: # choose four distinctly different cards from the deck and lay them out face up for the cr to see # after 30 seconds turn them over and ask the cr to pick out one of the objects then repeat with a second set of cards or rearrange the original set # if cr can easily do this then increase the difficulty by adding more cards # the next level of difficulty is to play the game as it is intended lay out all the cards face down and try to match pairs # keep a record of successes as motivation

Materials: Children children’s card-based memory game such as original memory

Categories: Memory, Socialization, Somewhat Aware, 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: Remove rugs from toilet area as these can be a slip hazard raised toilet seat with or without rails depending on available space and need attached to each side over toilet steel commode with raised seat and safety handles grab bars installed near toilet

Materials: n/a

Categories: Continence Toileting, 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: #give the cr permission to talk about importance of sexuality by asking questions or listening in a matter-of-fact non-jugmental way think about how loss of sexual contact may affect the cr #the more comfortable you can be with the subject the more comfortable the cr will feel talking with you #remember that sexual contact brings couples together and tends to promote well-being if a cr is interested in reconnecting sexually with a partner suggest that the cr speak openly to the partner about feelings or questions and that the cr begin contact with non-sexual physical affection or courtship

Materials: Safe environment for discussion

Categories: Sexuality Intimacy, Independence, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision, Cognitive Awareness, Fully Aware, Somewhat Aware

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: List the housekeeping responsibilities the cr was responsible for before the injury list those the cr still feels comfortable doing and troubleshoot with spouse or a possible outside helper to come in to help with the other responsibilities that the cr doesn’t feel comfortable doing until the cr is better

Materials: Family meeting with spouse or family members

Categories: Housekeeping Home Maintenance, Safety

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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