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Regular routine

Why routine is important when you’re living with dementia

Creating a regular pattern to your life brings many benefits… and will help you in future too

Having a routine is great for us all – it anchors our lives and brings a sense of comfort in a world of uncertainty, reducing the potential for anxiety. And if you’re living with dementia, a regular routine is really important.

Many of the symptoms at the early stage of dementia can involve being forgetful and taking a bit longer to process information. Creating a routine really helps with this, as well as changes such as:

  • Not being able to recall what you did recently

  • Finding it hard to make plans

  • Not handling change very well

  • Losing interest in things

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Ready for routine?

While you may not feel you need a set routine just yet, by putting one in place now you’ll find life a lot easier in future.

Creating a routine also means you can be sure that life is balanced: making time for socialising, being sure there’s time to eat well, planning in exercise and opportunities to relax, too.

Here’s why:

  • A routine builds confidence and security – it’s reassuring to know what you’re doing and when.

  • Structure removes unnecessary distractions – it’s easier to focus when your day is mapped out.

  • A pattern to your life helps to manage symptoms (see above).

  • Planning your day and week means that both you and those who care for you know what you’re doing. It helps with communication and keeps things clear for everyone, avoiding confusion for all.

  • Creating a schedule for your days also means you have a say in how you spend your time and helps you to keep your independence.

Create a routine that works for you

Start creating a routine by writing down all the things you:

  • Need to do i.e. household chores, personal care, shopping, preparing food and eating

  • Like to do such as socialising, exercise, hobbies, interests

  • Wish to do for example, allowing time for being spontaneous or just relaxing

 If you need help with any of these things at the moment, talk to a friend or loved one and ask for their help: your schedule for creating a routine might depend on their availability.

Once you’ve written down your ‘to do’ list, divide the activities up between the week. You can use a diary for this, a blank sheet of paper or use our digital planner that you can share with others.

Although it may not seem necessary right now, it’s a good idea to add daily tasks to this list as it’ll help in future if you make your wishes known now about the order in which you prefer to do things.

Consider adding tasks like showering, hair washing/styling, shaving, brushing your teeth and include what time you like to get up, go to bed, have meals, read the newspaper, watch TV etc.

Keep your routine planner somewhere prominent where you won’t forget it, like on the fridge, on a door, or stuck to the wall near the kettle – and don’t forget to share it with those close to you and anyone involved in your care.

Creating a weekly plan means you make time for everything and you can tweak it, according to your changing needs.