Consider how you organize your own day when planning the day for the person with dementia. There are times when you want variety and other times when you welcome routine. The challenge for caregivers is to find activities that provide meaning and purpose, as well as pleasure.
Begin by thinking about last week:
Which activities worked best and which didn't? Why?
Were there times when there was too much going on or too little to do?
Use what you've learned to set up a daily plan. A planned day allows you to spend less time and energy trying to figure out what to do from moment to moment. Allow yourself and the person with dementia some flexibility for spontaneous activities.
Oftentimes, structured and meaningful activities reduce agitation and improve mood. The type of activity and how well it's completed are not as important as the joy and sense of accomplishment the person gets from doing it. So, remember, it?s not about the end product, it's about having fun, doing something your parent remembers doing, and giving him/her the feeling of being needed again.
The success of an activity can vary from day to day. In general, if the person seems bored, distracted or irritable, it may be time to introduce another activity or to take time out for a rest.
An example of a daily routine:
Morning
- Wash, brush teeth, get dressed
- Prepare and eat breakfast
- Have coffee and make conversation
- Discuss the newspaper, try a hobby, reminisce about old photos
- Take a break, have some quiet time
- Do some chores together
- Take a walk, play an active game
Afternoon - Prepare and eat lunch, read mail, wash dishes
- Listen to music, watch TV, do some puzzles together
- Take a short break or nap
- Do some gardening, take a walk, sand some wood, play a few holes of golf, or visit a friend
Evening - Prepare and eat dinner, clean up kitchen. Be social during this time
- Reminisce over coffee and dessert
- Play cards, watch an old movie, visit with family
- Take a bath, get ready for bed, read a book, or watch an old TV show (I Love Lucy, Bob Newhart, etc.)
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