In-home routines help make life predictable and reliable. Even those without Alzheimer’s can appreciate how predictability can have a calming effect. Sometimes we take those things for granted, but many every day actions rely on routine. You grab your car keys off the hook on your way out the door without even looking. You open a kitchen drawer to fetch a spatula to turn the pancake in the skillet.
But what happens when you reach for the car keys and they aren’t there? Suddenly, your heart beats a little faster. Your boss’s face flashes before your eyes if you arrive late for work, because you couldn’t find your keys. You frantically struggle to recall the last place you had them. Now imagine opening a familiar drawer and finding something completely unexpected inside. Confusion sets in, followed by anxiety and self-doubt.
Maybe that’s what it’s like for someone living with Alzheimer’s. Rather than helping, constant unpredictability can worsen anxiety and agitation. In-home routines are one way to reduce uncertainty and provide stability for a person who may feel increasingly unsteady.
A Home for Everything
Routines aren’t just about activities. They also involve knowing where things are. Perhaps, each day at 3 p.m. you have a routine of watching a favorite TV show, but if you can’t find the remote the routine is disrupted. For people with Alzheimer’s, it’s essential to have a home for every item, even if that home doesn’t make organizational sense.
Bear in mind that things don’t always have to be “put away.” The phrase “out of sight, out of mind” is especially relevant when it comes to Alzheimer’s. For instance, a jar of instant coffee may be easier to locate if it stays on the counter in the same spot each day instead of being stored behind a cabinet door. When items remain in predictable locations, individuals with Alzheimer’s are more likely to find them independently.
In other words, sudden or unnecessary decluttering the Alzheimer’s patient’s home can cause confusion. If they can find it, then it’s best to keep an item in plain sight, in the same spot.
Activity Routines
You don’t need an elaborate system here. Start with the basics that already happen every day: waking up, eating meals, personal hygiene, taking medications, and going to bed.
Practice consistent times for these activities. If breakfast happens at 8 a.m. today, make it 8 a.m. tomorrow and the day after. Even as explicit memory declines, the brain often retains the ability to recognize patterns. The body remembers patterns that the mind can’t consciously recall anymore, similar to what we call muscle memory.
Incorporating Predictability
As Alzheimer’s progresses, many people become fearful when they don’t know what’s going to happen next. Their fear of the unknown can feel very real and can contribute to paranoid behavior in response to what they perceive as a threat. Incorporating predictability helps alleviate this kind of anxiety.
One strategy is to talk about what’s happening now and what’s going to happen next. For example, “We’re brushing your teeth now, and then we’re going to go and get dressed.” Then, as needed, as they finish brushing, you could say, “You’re done brushing your teeth, and now it’s time to dress.” Repeating this information as needed can be reassuring.
Take Advantage of Conveniences
Leaving the familiarity of home for errands or appointments can be unsettling for people with Alzheimer’s. Whenever possible, taking advantage of services like doctor house calls for seniors, grocery deliver, and prepared meal deliveries can help maintain consistent routines and reduce stress for both the individual and the caregiver.
When outings do occur, they are often most successful when they focus on relaxation and enjoyment, such as spending time outdoors or taking a short walk, rather than navigating crowded environments or waiting rooms.
Simple, reliable routines can foster independence, reduce caregiver stress, and promote emotional stability for both the individual and the family unit. Take a look at daily life with your loved one and see how you can incorporate in-home routines. Routines don’t require prescriptions or special equipment, and while results may vary depending on the stage of the disease, many caregivers notice meaningful benefits over time.
