Dementia causes cognitive decline. This can affect your loved one’s memory, problem-solving abilities, ability to understand speech and communicate, and their sense of independence.

Over time, your loved one may become increasingly more frustrated, confused, or overwhelmed. When they aren’t able to communicate properly or understand their surroundings, those feelings may magnify.

While routines are an essential part of your loved one’s dementia care plan, introducing new routines can cause dysfunction, anger, and frustration. Here is a closer look at the reasons why that happens and how you can introduce a new routine without causing frustration.

Importance of Daily Routines in Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care

Daily routines are a crucial element of Alzheimer’s care and memory care. A routine provides your loved one with independence, stability, structure, and a sense of familiarity and security.

Establishing a solid daily routine is not only good for your loved one’s physical and mental health but it can also enhance their mood by reducing anxiety, confusion, and agitation.

Routines and daily care plans also ensure your loved one’s needs are being met. Planning out each day carefully can prevent things from falling through the cracks or being forgotten.

A routine also allows you to plan for the unexpected and make time for activities that enhance enjoyment, comfort, and health.

Common Challenges to a Daily Care Plan or Routine

Even if you establish a thorough, thoughtful daily care plan or routine, it may not work well for your loved one each day.

Your loved one’s environment, health, mood, and other factors will affect how interested they are in sticking to a daily routine.

Some common challenges that family members and caregivers face when trying to adhere to a daily routine are:

Health issues, illness, injury, and medication side effects
Mood swings and personality changes
Fatigue, low energy, and lack of sleep
Memory loss
Impaired judgment and executive function
Mobility problems
Agitation and restlessness
Paranoia and delusions
Sundowning symptoms
Communication problems

None of these challenges are your fault or the fault of your caregiver. Your loved one will have good days and bad days. When they act resistant to a routine or don’t want to participate in a planned activity or everyday task, it is not your fault.

While it can be hard to stay patient and not take setbacks personally, it’s understandable to feel stressed, isolated, and angry. Speak with others who are in your situation, prioritize self-care, get support from friends and family, and ask for help when needed.

The Benefits of Hiring a Skilled In-Home Caregiver

Acting as the sole family caregiver for your loved one can be challenging. It’s important that you take the time needed to support yourself physically and mentally and take care of your own needs.

When you hire an in-home caregiver who has experience in Alzheimer’s care and dementia care, you can get a much-needed respite from caregiving.

You can take breaks to work, go grocery shopping, meet a friend for coffee, run errands, or practice self-care. Some of the biggest benefits of hiring a skilled in-home caregiver are:

Expert knowledge and guidance in assessing your loved one’s symptoms, condition, and needs
Collaboration with your loved one’s physician and medical team
Preparation of a daily care plan that prioritizes your loved one’s health and happiness
Companionship and reduced risk of isolation and depression
Assistance with everyday tasks like bathing, toileting, grooming, dressing, meal preparation, and medication reminders
Controlled memory care and cognitive stimulation
Reduced stress, anxiety, and frustration
Increased safety and reduced risk of wandering, a fall, or an accident or injury
More time for you and other family members to manage your own needs and health

Tips for Creating and Introducing a Routine and Minimizing Stress

The best way to introduce a new routine to a loved one who has Alzheimer’s or dementia is to progress slowly.

You must be patient, flexible, and gentle. Here are some tips you can follow:

Get advice from your loved one’s physicians as well as experts in Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Work with your family and your loved one’s caregiver to make sure everyone understands the routine.
Make sure everyone understands the overall mission and purpose of creating the routine.
Go over potential challenges and solutions you might face.
Create a routine that is tailored to your loved one’s abilities and interests.
If possible, involve your loved one in the planning process.
Schedule the routine for your loved one’s highest functioning times.
Keep the routine short and simple.
Introduce changes gradually, explaining the purpose of each change as you go.
Use positive language and provide ongoing reassurance and comfort.
Keep things as familiar as possible.
Allow your loved one to retain some independence and autonomy.
Communicate clearly and use visual aids if helpful.
Break down more complex or trying tasks into multiple parts.
Adapt the routine as needed and be perceptive of your loved one’s mood and energy levels.
Rest when needed.

What to Do if Your Loved One Resists Their Routine

The best way to handle it when your loved one resists their routine is by staying calm. Keep your voice soft, low, and neutral.

Avoid whining, yelling, speaking harshly, or using aggressive body language. If possible, let your loved one voice their concerns, and let them know that they are heard and understood.

Try to determine the root cause of the resistance. It could be fatigue, stress, anxiety, too much stimuli, or confusion. Adapt your approach to find solutions to the reasons for resistance.

Break down the routine into smaller parts that are more easily manageable. Use visual cues to communicate, or demonstrate each part of the routine.

Offer your loved one some choices as you adapt the routine. Try to be calm, patient, and flexible. If your loved one still does not want to participate, table the discussion to another day.

Try distracting them with a more enjoyable activity to ease their stress and discomfort.

Schedule a Consultation for Memory Care in Arizona

Placita In Home Care offers professional, personalized in-home dementia care and Alzheimer’s care in Southern Arizona.

Our experienced caregivers are compassionate and dedicated, and work hard to ensure each patient’s needs are met.

We offer assistance with the activities of daily living as well as companionship, memory care, medication reminders, meal preparation, light housework, and transportation to community events and medical appointments.

We strive to make it safer and easier for loved ones to remain in the comfort of their own home rather than moving into an assisted living Alzheimer’s care facility.

To schedule a consultation for in-home memory care in the Tucson or Phoenix metro area, call us today or fill out our contact form online.