Routine Is One of the Most Important Parts of Dementia Caregiving
One of the simplest yet most important things to remember in dementia caregiving is that routine is critical. When their day is unstructured, it can feel unpredictable and therefore unsafe for someone with dementia. Routine can provide this needed structure, for both the individual with dementia and the caregiver.
Having a routine can:
– Reduce stress, anxiety and fear in your loved one
– Reduce caregiver stress and prevent burnout
– Allow you to schedule some time for self-care for you both
Creating a Care Schedule for Dementia
When you create your caregiving schedule, keep yourself and your loved one in a routine, but don’t forget – you’ll need to be flexible, too. Our days aren’t always predictable, and you’ll also need to have some extra time set aside in case you or your loved one needs a break or some extra self-care.