The Importance of Routine for Seniors with Alzheimer’s and Dementia

Learning your loved one has Alzheimer’s or some other form of dementia can create a lot of unknowns. How quickly will their condition progress? What’s the best way to care for them now and in the future?

While everything may suddenly feel up in the air, research has shown that one of the best cognitive health strategies for seniors is maintaining a daily routine as part of their dementia care. That’s because having routines and schedules as part of your family member’s dementia management can help them thrive and even have far-reaching psychological benefits.

It’s key that any Alzheimer’s care routines include activities within your loved one’s ability level. to create a predictable environment that brings some comfort and understanding in their now confusing world. Offering your loved one a day without surprises as is the best way to help them expend energy, relieve anxiety and minimize undesirable behaviors.

The Benefits of Daily Routines in Alzheimer’s Care

The biggest advantage of having a daily schedule is less stress for your family member and you. Memory loss and other changes to the brain caused by dementia can cause your loved one to feel stress and anxiety. Routines work to reduce stress and anxiety because they help everyone know what to expect.

Your loved one with dementia thrives on familiarity because dementia gradually impairs their ability to plan, initiate and complete an activity. By establishing a familiar routine and a consistent list of activities, they’ll be able to feel more comforted and calmer. If they can still perform certain activities, let them. This will help them retain their sense of control and independence. Plus, creating a predictable pattern of events (A follows B follows C) can help transfer the schedule of a daily routine into the long-term memory portion of their brain.

How to Create a Routine

If your family member is in the early stages of dementia, pay close attention to their current routines. At this stage, diligently observing what they do, like, and dislike can help them maintain their schedule and come in handy later. As their dementia enters the later stages,  the more activities that resonate with your loved one’s pre-dementia life, the better. Pay attention to the familiar activities and interests that are important to your family member like:

·      At what time of day or where in the house do they take a bath, get dressed, eat and use the bathroom?

·      Do they have favorite articles of clothing or colors?

·      What are their favorite foods or beverages?

·      What types of music (or specific songs) do they like?

·      What are their favorite television shows and movies? Do they have hobbies or leisure activities they like to do?

The more you can engage your loved one in these activities, the more secure and comfortable they’ll feel. Remember, it’s important your family does as much as they can for themselves, for as long as they can. Doing everything on your own may be easier, but it isn’t the best approach. As their dementia progresses, it’s still vital for them to try and maintain their routines.

Dedicated to Helping Families

When someone you love is diagnosed with dementia, it affects the whole family. We’re here to help. If you’re exploring your senior memory care options in Olathe, consider dementia care at Santa Marta. Our memory care uses innovative, evidence-based activities to create a whole-person program designed to empower and engage your loved one. To learn more, contact one of our helpful senior living counselors.