We all have a certain structure to our days. We get up in the morning, brush our teeth, dress, eat breakfast, and start our day. There is a complementary structure to the evening when we come home from work or school.
We have a routine for our week also. Monday through Friday, most of us are at our jobs. Saturday is the day we set aside for chores like mowing the grass, grocery shopping, and household repair and maintenance. Sunday morning is for reflection, and the rest of the day is set aside for family time.
We even have a structure to the year. Maybe you’re a football fan, so the fall season will include as many games as possible. Even a tradition like a birthday celebration or an annual event such as a Christmas concert gives structure to the year. These routines are important to keep us organized and give us a sense of control. They help connect us with our environment, the people in our lives, and the events of the world around us.
People with dementia are losing that connection. Their sense of time is diminished. They are losing their independence and require increasing amounts of assistance. The memory loss and increasing anxiety experienced by the people you are caring for will impact how you care for them. In the cases of Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia, short-term memory is the first to diminish, while long-term memory remains intact. You can capitalize on this by returning to and maintaining the routines that your loved ones had established in their lives prior to developing dementia.
- Bath time. Did Dad always take his shower first thing in the morning and start his day invigorated and ready to go? Did Mom like to take a leisurely bath at night that made her feel relaxed and warm and ready for bed? If you can plan the day to accommodate their preferences, it will evoke those long-term memories and help them to feel less anxious.
1 Meals. Most of us serve our main meal in the evening. That’s when we have time to prep the meal and sit and enjoy it. However, Meals on Wheels serves the main meal at noon, as do assisted living and nursing homes. It makes sense for you to also serve the main meal at noon and give the seniors you are caring for the time to adjust to the change. If you have access to the recipes for food the way they prepared it, you will also bring back memories.
2 Exercise. Establish a scheduled time for exercise. Watch and participate in an exercise program each morning. If you do it together, it will be more fun! Go for a daily walk every day before lunch. A walk will get both of you out of the house and provide a welcome break.
3 Spiritual Care. Part of your responsibility as senior care provider is spiritual care. If your family members are still able, take them to church on Sunday. Not only will it continue a routine they established, but it will provide an opportunity for them to interact with their friends and neighbors from the congregation. If your family members are no longer able to attend church, there are many services available on TV and radio. Some local churches record the Sunday service for viewing by the homebound members.
4 TV Movies. Perhaps there is a show on TV that the person you care for loves. Make that a part of your weekly schedule. Or declare Tuesday as movie night, freshly made popcorn included.
5 Respite. You will need respite. There will be times you will need someone to take over as the senior’s caregiver while you complete tasks such as grocery shopping. This is probably a once-a-week task that you should make a part of the weekly schedule. Whether you use a home care service or call on another family member to take over, try to schedule for the same time and day each week so your absence is predictable and the people you care for know you will be back shortly. This will help to relieve any anxiety they may feel. You also will need time off for yourself, especially if you are providing someone who needs Alzheimer’s in-home care. You need to take care of yourself also. Providing senior care can be stressful. Take adequate time off to recharge.
Try to keep your daily and weekly schedule as consistent as possible. It will decrease the anxiety of the people you care for and, in turn, decrease your stress and keep your life as a senior caregiver more organized.
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