Tip of the Week
Archive 2012
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Parkinson's Nighttime Safety
November 05, 2012
When your loved one has Parkinson's, you might worry about late night trips to the bathroom. Try this tip to help. From Caring.com.... Read more
2 Comments
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A Thoughtful Remembrance Gift
October 22, 2012
“We’ve lost several extended family members in the last few years and in lieu of flowers I’ve started sending windchimes. There are several online companies that sell them, and I can even get a plaque engraved with a name or quote. I’ve received several calls and thank you notes saying how meaningfueaningful...... Read more
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Keeping Up With Dad
October 15, 2012
“Dad tends to wander off into parts of the house or yard without telling me, so I bought a carabiner clip and put some old keys that I don’t use any more on it. It’s like a cat’s bell that I can hear (but it isn’t insulting), and even though he no longer drives I think he likes having keys. He even ...... Read more
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Unexpected Phone Calls
October 08, 2012
"When my husband gets irritable I realize that we’ve just been spending too much time together, and what he needs is some male companionship. I’ve gathered a list of family, friends, and old co-workers and I go into the other room and call them and then take the phone to my husband and say, 'Someoneeone wants to talk to you...... Read more
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Lullabies for Mom
October 02, 2012
"Mom needs to go to bed earlier than I do, but she doesn’t want to stay back in her room alone. I moved an old alarm clock that has a CD player in it into her bedroom and bought some music she likes -- Doris Day and Rosemary Clooney. Now I hear her singing herself to sleep."... Read more
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An Ice Cream a Day
September 24, 2012
“Mom’s having a hard time keeping weight on, so every afternoon she gets a bowl of ice cream. And on the days that we’re out or just bored, we pile in the car and head to our neighborhood ice cream shop. Mom really looks forward to it, we get out of the house, and even if she eats less dinner it’s oit’s okay because it makes her so happy...... Read more
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Camp Chair
September 17, 2012
“Dad insists on walking wherever we go, but he tends to gets winded easily, so I’ve started packing a lightweight camp chair. It’s just a small seat with no back and has a cover with a strap I just sling over my shoulder. It’s really helped in stores and still gives dad the freedom he wants.””...... Read more
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A Collection of Scarves
September 10, 2012
"Mom’s hair is really thinning, and she’s quite self-conscious about it. She doesn’t want to wear a wig or a hat, but she has taken to scarves and has just a little bit of her hair fluffed out the front. We’ve started collecting them wherever we go: antique stores, nearby s...... Read more
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Quenching Endless Questions
September 03, 2012
"My mom has Alzheimer's, and what really gets to me are the incessant questions. Finally I realized that answering them was akin to pouring gasoline on a bonfire, so I started calling my sister and handing my mother the phone. Even if my sister isn't there, my mom gets sidetracked and the questions subside, at least for a time...... Read more
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Tip of the Week: Body Pillow
August 28, 2012
"Mom didn’t like going to bed, and I realized that she’s gone to bed with my dad for 53 years and she probably missed having somebody in the bed with her. So I got her a body pillow (a very long pillow) with a fuzzy type cover and I help her get comfortable by throwing one arm and leg over it. It ret really seems to comfort her -- and she even asks for it...... Read more
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Bite-Size Pieces
August 20, 2012
"Dad's hands shake pretty badly, which can make for some long and frustrating meals. I've learned to cut up his food in the kitchen or right when we sit down (I cut mine as well, so he won't feel like a child), and I encourage him to eat with a spoon, since a fork is harder to manipulate. I also put his soup in a cup, so he can sip it...... Read more
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Brushing Our Teeth
August 13, 2012
"Mom was getting to where she didn’t want to brush her teeth at night, so we’ve started doing our nightly routine side-by-side. She comes into my bathroom, since I have double sinks, and we each brush our teeth and floss and put on lotion. She mimics just about anything I do, and it’s kind of nice tnice to see 'us' in the mirror...... Read more
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Can I Get a Little Respect?
August 08, 2012
"I’ve found that if I dress as if I’m going to work (black pants and a jacket) and I bring in a notepad and take notes, my dad’s doctors tend to give me more information and my questions get answered. It’s made for a better doctor-patient experience.”... Read more
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Home Hairdresser Visits
August 06, 2012
“Washing mom's hair is such a chore, so I called her hairdresser and asked if she might come to the house. She agreed, and she now comes every other week! It's so, so wonderful to have mom right at home and not stress her out. I even gave her hairdresser the names of three other women in our area.””...... Read more
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Sweater Clips
July 30, 2012
“Mom is forever putting on and taking off her sweater. It gets crammed down in her wheelchair or whatever chair she's sitting in, so we went to the vintage store and found sweater clips. They're really pretty, and now she can slide her arms out but not ‘lose’ her sweater! I even bought one for mysel myself...... Read more
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Grannywear
July 23, 2012
"Whether she's standing or sitting, it's really difficult to get my grandmother in and out of her underwear, so I cut up one side and put in a couple of small pieces of Velcro (I tried to find the softest kind so it isn't scratchy). It's so much easier to undo one side rather than have her step out of them or have to lift both hips in the air...... Read more
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Bedtime Tunes
July 16, 2012
"One night when my grandmother was having a difficult time going to sleep, I asked her to sing me a song she sang when I was a child. I acted like I didn't know all the words, and before long she filled in the blanks. Now, we've moved on to show tunes...... Read more
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Feathered Friends
July 09, 2012
"My mom is recovering from back surgery and spends most of her time in bed, which gets boring. There's a nice window she can look out, so we placed large blocks under her bed to raise it to the right height, and then bought some bird feeders that affix to the window by suction cup. She enjoys a daily parade of warblers, cardinals, sparrows, and meadowlarks...... Read more
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Memory Books
July 02, 2012
How photo books can help loved ones connect with new friends.... Read more
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Map-Happy Pappy
June 25, 2012
Caregiver's tip for dads who love maps.... Read more
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Safer Supervising
June 18, 2012
“Dad is always right behind me when I'm sweeping and mopping or bringing in groceries, so I bought a baby gate and place it higher on the doorframe (so he won't topple over). I also brought in a camper chair and put it right on the other side. He can sit and watch me mop without risking a fa...... Read more
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Flower Power
June 11, 2012
“Mom has breast cancer and has to have chemo every other week, which she dreads. She loves fresh flowers, so I've started buying her African violets as a treat on the day we go to the cancer center. She loves having these happy little flowers to set around her room, and I bought her a spritzer (whicich she overuses, but that's okay)...... Read more
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Talk Therapy
June 04, 2012
“Mom's best friend, Helen, is now in a care facility across the country. They really miss each other, so I called Helen’s care home and arranged for them to talk every Sunday afternoon. Both ladies seem to really look forward to it. I set up the speaker phone and help Mom get comfortable, and they gey gab for over an hour...... Read more
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Jack Is Back
May 28, 2012
“I found out that for years and years my mom used to exercise to Jack Lalanne. So I bought a few of his videos and now Mom and I work out with Jack every morning. She modifies her movements, but she's always ready to go right after breakfast -- and I'm working out 30 minutes a day! (I think she has s a crush on him...... Read more
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Great Gift
May 21, 2012
“My out-of-town sister is always asking how she can help care for our mother -- so I've started suggesting gift cards -- for me and for mom. It's so nice to get a coffee, get a manicure, or go out to lunch without putting out any money, and mom feels like we have to spend it, so it really is a gift!t...... Read more
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Going Green
May 14, 2012
“I recycle a lot of plastic grocery bags (to throw away my mother's diapers/pads), so I've started keeping them in empty baby wipe containers because it has that ‘mouth’ where I can pull out one at a time. One container holds about 100 bags!”... Read more
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An Adult Bib
May 07, 2012
“Dad is a messy eater, so I made a 'grown-up' version of a bib by covering the back of an oversized bandana with contact paper and putting a small piece of Velcro on two corners to connect it. I throw it in the washer, dry it on cool, and replace the sticky back about every third or fourth use.”... Read more
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Lap Desk
April 30, 2012
"Grandpa practically lives in his Lazy Boy, so I started using my laptop board (which I already had) to give him extra surface. Now he has a place for his crossword puzzle, to play a game of solitaire, and even to make phone calls and check on bills and things. He likes it!"... Read more
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Cranberry Cocktail
April 23, 2012
"Mom tends to get UTI’s and spikes a fever, so I’ve started putting cranberry juice in her water and in other juices or teas. She gets several servings a day, and I think it’s helping."... Read more
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Be a Sport
April 16, 2012
"Dad does better with his own sports bottle. He was having a difficult time with cups (spilling, his shakiness), so I bought him a sports bottle -- one with a built in straw. There are less spills and he tends to drink more because it’s easier."... Read more
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Lots of Clutter? Try Baskets
April 09, 2012
"Mom has lots of 'stuff' sitting around my house (her glasses, books, tissues, snacks, mail, her watch, etc.) so I went to the thrift store and got her a basket. She likes having a place to keep all her items, and I like having one place to collect it all when she’s changing rooms or I just want to o see a clean surface...... Read more
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Gossip Gals
April 02, 2012
"Mom loves the tabloids! I picked one up a few months ago, just to flip through it, and my mom seemed to be interested, so now I pick up a copy at the grocery store every few weeks. We spend an hour reading all the crazy stories that can’t possibly be true. I like how her face lights up when she heaears about Angelina Jolie...... Read more
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Give the Gift of Music
March 26, 2012
“For my grandfather’s birthday I got him a harmonica. I remember as a child that he had one I used to play with, and I can’t tell you how much he enjoys figuring out a tune. The other residents at his care home even make requests.”... Read more
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Keep 'Em Busy
March 19, 2012
“Dad and I go to the local farmer’s market every Saturday morning. We get a coffee and a pastry, and I always make sure Dad has money in his wallet -- and a list of what we need. He’s now made friends with all the local vendors and we’re supporting our community!”... Read more
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Walk the Dog
March 12, 2012
“Mom really thrives on routine, but she doesn’t like folding clothes all day (who would?), so I put her in charge of our dog, Rex. She walks him inside from room to room, brushes him, gives him treats, and throws the ball every day. I think she likes having someone to take care of—and Rex is enjoyinnjoying all the attention...... Read more
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You've Got Mail
March 05, 2012
"My dad has dementia and needs a reason to move (or he won’t), so we "go get the mail" several times a day. I leave in (or sneak in) pieces of mail so that we always have a reason to take a short walk to the mailbox—and while we’re out we enjoy the birds, wave to the neighbors, and get a bit of sunsf sunshine...... Read more
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Lost Remote? Use Velcro!
February 27, 2012
"Dad was constantly losing the remote, and I'd have to tear apart the couch and entire room to look for it. So I decided to get some sticky Velcro and place a piece on the back of the remote and on the arm of his recliner. I made the strip on his recliner bigger -- in case he might miss it. It's really helped...... Read more
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Name Prompt Buttons
February 20, 2012
"Mom's starting to forget people's names, but she can still read. I went to a party store and bought some big buttons and labels. Each morning I put on my button (and I got a couple for home care helpers as well -- I just put a new label on it if there's a new person). I write very clearly, BARB -- and under it, DAUGHTER...... Read more
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When Are You Coming Back?
February 13, 2012
"Need a ten-minute nap? Need to make an important call? Want to step outside for a quick break? I was surprised at what security my egg timer gave my mom. I took it out of the kitchen drawer one day -- when I was tired of being asked when I'd be back (I was taking a shower)...... Read more
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Family on the Go? Pack a Box Lunch
February 06, 2012
“Between doctor and physical therapy appointments, adult day care, and errands, our days get really busy. I’ve found that packing Dad a ‘lunch box’ allows him to have snacks and drinks any time he wants. I think he likes the freedom to choose when he wants to eat. I pack string cheese, pudding, juicng, juice boxes, and even a few M&M’s, which he loves...... Read more
