What can you do without your usual routine?  Create new ones!

Life these days hasn’t been the same for anyone.  But for someone with dementia, the lack of routine can be very distressing.  Before social distancing, the person with dementia’s schedule may have included going to an adult day center, taking a walk in the park, or having dinner at the local diner with you as their caregiver.  While these activities are currently not available, think of what you can do to create and maintain a routine for you and the person with dementia.  It will help both of you know what to expect from the day which can reduce stress and anxiety for everyone, especially someone with dementia.

A few tips for creating a routine at home:

  • Try to have the person with dementia go to bed at a similar time every night.  You may even want to put his/her pajamas on the bed each night as a way of helping to signify bedtime without verbalizing it.  Using consistent prompts and reminders is a great way to help maintain independence for a person with dementia.
  • Designate a space in your home as an “activity corner” where you have various items set up for the person with dementia to complete either alone or with you (such as puzzles, towels to fold, art, large beads and thread, etc.).  You can even label the area with a sign that says something like “Activities Corner” or has the person’s name on it.   Guide the person to the activities area at a similar time every day.  However, remember that it is okay if he/she doesn’t want to go to the activity corner when you think it’s the right time.  He/she may find something else more interesting at that moment and you can direct him/her there again later.  Routines are helpful, but not always the perfect answer!
  • Have the person with dementia take a bath/shower at similar times throughout the week.  As referred to in Monday’s tip, people with dementia may be afraid of water which can cause bath time to be quite challenging.  If the time of day is consistent, this may help in managing the expectations of the individual and minimize her stress.  You can also play similar music each time you start the bathing process to maintain continuity.  Try playing some favorite songs to make bathing a more pleasurable experience for you and your loved one with dementia.
  • Look out your window at a similar time every day and talk about what you see.  You might see new flowers blooming, an interesting bird, or maybe that same pesky chipmunk that makes holes in your backyard.  You and the person with dementia might find yourselves enjoying this time to discover new sightings.  Don’t worry if the person with dementia isn’t talking much or even at all.  Often someone with dementia enjoys listening to other people talk and may be experiencing the joy of the moment in a way you can’t see.

Anything you can do to help make your days at home as consistent as possible will help the person with dementia feel secure and comforted, and therefore lead to moments of peace and calm for everyone in the home.   And remember…all you can do is your best at that given moment in time.  Be kind to yourself!