What Do I Do?

Help families of institutionalized elders with this compassionate and practical manual.

Katherine Karr

Contents Introduction How to Care for, Comfort, and Commune at the Physical Level Checkpoint: Clothing Needs and Clothing Care Checkpoint: Skin Care Checkpoint: Other Physical Considerations Checkpoint: Teeth and Denture Care Checkpoint: Eye Care Checkpoint: Ear Care Checkpoint: Hair Grooming and Cosmetology Needs Checkpoint: Nails-Manicuring and Pedicuring Checkpoint: Bedsores Checkpoint: Monitoring Medications Checkpoint: Dietary Awareness Checkpoint: Special Feeding Considerations Checkpoint: Restorative Therapy How to Care for, Comfort, and Commune at the Emotional Level Checkpoint: Understanding Feelings and Developing Empathy Skills Checkpoint: Using Touch to Communicate Care Checkpoint: Overcoming Discounting Behaviors Checkpoint: Patronizing Behaviors Checkpoint: The Role of Music in Caring Checkpoint: Special Seasonal Considerations How to Care for, Comfort, and Commune at the Mental Level Checkpoint: Differentiating Between "Diversionary Activities" and Those Which Encourage Wholistic Creative Growth Checkpoint: Personalizing Activities Checkpoint: Reality Orientation Checkpoint: Remotivational Therapy Checkpoint: Resident Councils Checkpoint: Family & Friends Councils How to Care for, Comfort, and Commune at the Spiritual Level Checkpoint: Special Times for Spiritual Life Checkpoint: Visits From Church Members, Ministers. Priests? Checkpoint: Preparing for Death IN CONCLUSION Reference Notes Included