Routines, reminders help those living with Alzheimer’s disease

HUDSON — For people living with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, routines and reminders can be critical for helping them to live their best life possible.

Because of COVID-19, unpaid caregivers are spending more time with their loved ones and possibly more time doing direct care. Creating a daily care plan for someone with Alzheimer’s disease can provide needed structure and allow more time to spend on satisfying activities for both.

"Establishing a daily routine or plan for care can be a really effective way to manage the behavioral symptoms of Alzheimer's disease and dementia- symptoms like restlessness, agitation, and sundowning," said Karen Elliott, program director of the Alzheimer’s Association Greater East Ohio Area Chapter.

"However, it's important not to be too rigid and to allow for some flexibility," Elliott said. "Just like we all do, people living with dementia have good days and bad days. It's also important to remember that every minute of every day does not need to be filled. Caregivers and people living with dementia alike need a good balance of rest and activity."

In the United States, 83 percent of the help provided to older adults comes from family members, friends or other unpaid caregivers. Nearly half of all caregivers who provide help to older adults do so for someone living with Alzheimer's or another dementia.

Cheryl Kanetsky, executive director of the Alzheimer’s Association Greater East Ohio Area Chapter, said a daily plan could consist of:

• Social time, such as having tea together or watching the person’s favorite old shows together.
• Cognitive engagement, such as word search, puzzles or anything that keeps the mind busy.
• Physical activity, based on ability, like taking walks or senior sittercise activities.
• Hobby time, which depends on the person’s direct interests (remember they may need to be modified based on current abilities).
• Meal time, which can be important markers in a person’s day.
• Nap time, because it is important to give them time to relax.

Caregivers should also remember what times of day the person functions best, to leave ample times for meals, bathing and dressing and regular times for waking up and going to bed, she said.

During this pandemic, written or verbal reminders about things like the need to wash your hands thoroughly and why social distancing is important could help everyone in the household to stay healthy.

The National Institute on Aging suggests the best way to help someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia take their medicine safely and correctly is to understand the medicines they take, track the amounts, watch for side effects and use pillboxes with alarms that remind a person to take the medication.

Alzheimer’s disease is a fatal brain disease that cannot be prevented, cured or slowed. As the disease progresses, the abilities of the person will change. As that occurs, creativity, flexibility and problem solving, will be important as caregivers adapt their daily routine to support these changes.

For more information about how to write a plan, go to https://www.alz.org/help-support/caregiving/daily-care/daily-care-plan.

"If you would like help developing a care plan for your loved one living with Alzheimer's or dementia, our staff can assist you," Elliott said. "Help is always available 24/7 at our Helpline 1-800-272-3900."

This story was originally published April 28, 2020 at 9:38 AM with the headline "Routines, reminders help those living with Alzheimer’s disease."