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10 Caregiver Tips for Your Daily Memory Care Routine

As a caregiver to a loved one with dementia, you know very well how important routine can be. For your loved one, having a daily routine keeps confusion and agitation to a minimum, giving them confidence and avoiding any unpredictability as much as possible. For you, having a routine allows you to get everything done that you need with a minimum of fuss and wasted energy.

As dementia progresses, you will end up managing more and more of your loved one’s daily tasks, which makes having a predictable daily routine that much more critical for everyone. We recommend even going so far as to create a daily checklist that shows you at a glance all the tasks that need to be performed (including opportunities for fun). Having structure that is put in place but is flexible enough to adapt to your loved one’s changing needs and interests will help improve the well-being of you and your loved one.

Tips for Creating a Daily Routine That Works

1. Consider all the factors.

When you sit down to create a routine for you and your loved one, you’ll want to consider a variety of factors, including your loved one’s current abilities, their interests and preferences, their strengths as well as down time for both them and you. Remember that rest is a very important part of everyone’s schedule, including yours.

2. Don’t reinvent the wheel.

Think about how your loved one spent their days before they were diagnosed with dementia. Did Dad enjoy sitting on the porch with a cup of coffee before starting his day? Did mom go to the post office first thing in the morning and then hit the grocery store to pick up things that were needed for dinner? Creating a daily routine that follows a familiar pattern will help your loved one get on-board with your decisions.

3. Know your loved one’s best time of day. 

Does your loved one function better at certain times than others? When it comes time to plan things like doctor’s appointments, activities or personal tasks, choose to do them during the best time of day for your loved one. He or she will be the most alert and functional, making the task that much easier.

4. Plan for a regular sleep schedule.

We all function better when we have a set time to go to bed and get up. Make sure to establish a sleep pattern for your loved one so they’re getting enough rest, which will help to curb disruptive behaviors, make them feel better and overall improve their health.

5. Resist the urge to over-schedule.

While you want to be sure that you’re getting everything done that you need to, and that your loved one is staying engaged, entertained and using their abilities, remember to take your time. Regular, everyday tasks may end up taking longer than you anticipate. Schedule enough time to get tasks done without rushing, and be sure to allow time to take breaks in-between appointments and tasks.

6. Let your loved one do as much as he or she can. 

Even though your loved one may not be able to perform certain tasks, that doesn’t mean he or she can’t handle any tasks. It’s actually very good for your loved one to be able to perform tasks that he or she has the ability to accomplish – it fosters confidence, provides a sense of well-being and actually can help them keep their abilities for longer. You can lead your loved one if needed, but then step back and let them accomplish what they can. For example, your loved one may not be able to put toothpaste on their toothbrush, but they have no problem actually brushing their teeth. Perform the first part for them and allow them to finish up on their own.

7. Provide simple choices. 

This goes along with the above point – giving your loved one a choice and allowing him or her to make a decision improves their mood and makes them feel happier overall. Be sure to provide some choices for your loved one every day. Open-ended questions can be too overwhelming (so don’t ask “What do you want to do today?”), so instead, provide a choice (“Do you want to watch a movie or take a walk?”).

8. Break tasks down into simple, easy-to-follow instructions. 

This can help with routine as well as giving your loved one a sense of purpose. Think of it as a step-by-step instruction. For example, if your loved one is getting dressed, lay out the clothes in the order in which they’re put on. If your loved one is helping make dinner, give them directions one step at a time and give them time to complete that task before moving on to the next one.

9. Keep distractions to a minimum. 

It’s hard for your loved one to filter out other conversations and noises, such as the radio or television. During mealtimes or while you’re doing tasks, reduce distractions as much as possible so your loved one can better focus on what they’re doing.

10. Be flexible.

Schedules will change, things will come up and a routine that works now may not work tomorrow. In order to reduce your frustration, be flexible and understand that routines will need to change up now and then. Ask yourself: is it absolutely necessary to fight this particular battle? For example, if your loved one keeps wanting to wear the same clothes over and over, consider buying identical outfits so you can rotate clean ones in and out.

Caregiving a loved one with dementia is a big task, but planning, flexibility and an open mind – plus an organized routine – can help you provide a safe, happy environment for your loved one while giving you the structure you need to be the best caregiver possible.

Enhancing Quality of Life

Bridges® by EPOCH memory care communities have been developed from the ground up to anticipate, meet and exceed the needs of our residents and their families. Our team of remarkable people, the exceptional care and services we offer, and the purposeful design of our buildings all combine to create the most rewarding, secure and nurturing lifestyle possible for our residents.

Bridges® by EPOCH communities are located in Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Hampshire, in the following towns: Norwalk, CT; Stamford, CT; Trumbull, CT; Andover, MA; Hingham, MA; Lexington, MA; Mashpee, MA; Pembroke, MA; Sudbury, MA; Westford, MA; Westwood, MA; and Nashua, NH.

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