Why Having a Routine is Important For Seniors in Memory Care
Life is filled with evolving routines. For seniors in memory care, routines hold more value than familiar surroundings and actions. Routines offer seniors numerous benefits that all contribute to an improved quality of life.
The Importance of Routines for Seniors
Seniors living with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia often struggle with time and memory. These two missing factors can make it harder for seniors to navigate the passage of time successfully. Without the ability to place themselves in time, seniors can experience elevated stress and anxiety levels that can further disrupt their well-being.
Memory care services support seniors by instituting routines that they can use for reference. A common example of this type of approach is waking up and going to bed at the same time each day. These routines surrounding sleep can often help orient seniors before they go to bed and shortly after they wake up.
How Do Routines Benefit Seniors in Memory Care?
Implementing a routine offers several benefits to seniors in a memory care community, all of which contribute to a greater quality of life. Routines can help reduce overstimulation, which often stems from new events, people, or circumstances that can cause seniors to become disoriented or feel off-track. When seniors know what to expect, they become more confident in their surroundings and the people they know they’ll interact with.
In addition, routines can help strengthen seniors’ connections with family and their community. Familiarity breeds confidence, which can contribute to greater self-esteem and independence. Reduced stress and anxiety can also lead to emotional well-being and stability.
How Seniors and Caregivers Can Establish a Routine
Consistency and a recognizable structure are key to seniors’ routines. Create a monthly calendar to help seniors keep track of their obligations and refer to it if they have questions. When managing your aging loved one’s routine becomes too much, consider dementia care.
Create A Sleep Routine
Sleep remains vital to the body’s natural processes, regardless of age. Determine when seniors want to wake up and go to sleep, ensuring they’ve set aside enough time to get the rest they need. For example, seniors may need to lie in bed for a few minutes after waking up or want to rest in bed for 20 to 30 minutes before lying down and going to sleep.
Add in ADLs And Meals
Once you’ve set the sleep schedule for your loved one, block off time for meals and any necessary activities of daily living (ADLs), such as bathing, transferring, dressing, and toileting. Seniors who prepare their own meals may need extra time compared to those who receive caregiver assistance.
Schedule Hobbies And Activities
After caring for a senior’s basic needs, caregivers should consider activities that seniors want to participate in, such as physical fitness, classes, or hobbies. Many of these activities are recurring weekly or monthly, depending on the schedule. Caregivers should also include any upcoming or recurring medical appointments.
Integrate Flexibility
Regardless of what a senior integrates into their routine, they should allocate even a few minutes to transition between activities. This flexibility ensures seniors don’t become anxious about being a few minutes late to a class or missing the first few minutes of a TV show because dinner time was over precisely at 6 p.m. Caregivers should also allow time for transportation if the activity requires travel.
Ways Caregivers Can Support Seniors And Their Routines
When seniors struggle with their routines, caregivers are often there to help them find comfort. For example, family caregivers know their aging loved ones well enough to personalize their routines, setting aside time for a game of chess or watching a favorite TV show after dinner. Beyond custom-tailoring these routines to seniors in memory care, caregivers can also support their aging loved ones in the following ways:
- Simplifying decisions: Limiting choices to two or three options ensures seniors aren’t overwhelmed with decisions that could threaten their routine.
- Implementing time-based activities: Helping seniors associate certain times of the day, week, month, or year with a certain activity can add layers to their routine without overcomplicating the matter.
- Encouraging participation: Creating a routine isn’t solely the job of the caregiver; seniors should also be involved in the process as much as they want to be.
Beyond supporting seniors in their routines, caregivers can also develop strategies that they can turn to when seniors struggle to maintain said routines. For instance, caregivers may use a particular object, phrase, or activity to help reorient seniors to a certain task if they become agitated. These techniques can encourage seniors to return to a routine without causing undue stress.
Memory Care Supports Seniors in Maintaining Routines
Memory care communities offer specialized services tailored to address the needs of seniors struggling with dementia or Alzheimer’s. Highly trained staff ensure seniors receive the care and compassion they deserve and are experienced in redirecting seniors or assisting them with adjusting or maintaining their routines as necessary. Memory care staff recognize when seniors thrive with an active schedule and when they need more downtime between activities.
In addition, memory care staff help create a safe environment that’s also welcoming of social engagement. Seniors can enjoy familiar activities with people they recognize and share their hobbies with peers. Staff also support family members and friends, encouraging them to provide the same thing for seniors living with Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Discover How Landon Ridge Sugar Land Assisted Living & Memory Care Supports Seniors
Supporting an aging loved one in their routine can become challenging as their Alzheimer’s or dementia worsens. Reach out to a senior living community like Landon Ridge Sugar Land that recognizes and supports seniors in need of memory care. Contact us to learn more about our dementia care homes and schedule a tour.
