In the early stages of a person’s dementia, it may be possible to leave the person written notes or reminders, such as when to eat or where certain items can be found. Over time, written notes will become less effective as the person will gradually lose the ability to read and process information.
Try to help the person arrange their life so that they have a familiar routine, that you can both stick to. If you can’t avoid a change in the person’s routine on a given day, due to an appointment for example, allow plenty of time. The person may not want to do something different, and you may have to give them time and space to adapt to the change. Never try to rush the person. If they don’t want to do something then don’t try to force them. Give the person space and try again later.
The person you are caring for may want to remain as independent as possible for as long as possible. They may need you to help with certain tasks but may want to do things for themselves when they can. So leaving clean clothes laid out in the order they would be put on can be a good idea, and making sure their clothing is easy to put on (no awkward zips or buttons) is a good idea.
If you are helping the person complete a task, try to let them do as much of it as they can. Break the task down into sections. Even if the person can’t complete an entire task on their own, having the chance to do some of it may give them a sense of satisfaction.
Try to find out from the family what the person enjoys. Is there a TV show they like to watch at a certain time each day? Do they enjoy listening to the radio in the morning? The more you know about the person’s habits and preferences the better.
While routine is important, so is being in a familiar environment. Although it may sound appealing to take the person out for the day, taking them to an unfamiliar environment could cause them distress. <link here to environment article>.
Planning around holiday times can also cause stress if it involves a change of routine. The person’s family and relatives may want them to spend Christmas or Easter away from home. Although well-intentioned, being in a less familiar environment can be confusing for the person.
During the mid to later stages of a person’s dementia, it may be best for them to remain in their own home during family holidays. They will be less likely to be confused and may feel more secure. A holiday season that involves the person being in their own home and having their usual meal may be more suitable than a strange environment and a large Christmas dinner. Remember, it’s about making the person feel safe and comfortable, rather than changing their routine for a traditional celebration they may not even be aware of or interested in.
Resources:
https://alzheimersproject.org/the-importance-of-routine-and-familiarity-to-persons-with-dementia/