The Advantages of a Daily Routine for Dementia Patients: Things You Should Know

• By Jean Nesian
• December 28, 2022

Dementia impacts anyone in a big way. What makes it such a terrible condition is the fact that you’ll have to deal with its effects in all the waking moments of your life. From the beginning of its diagnosis, it already delivers a significant blow on one’s quality of life. 

Is it any wonder then that senior care that focuses on Alzheimer’s or dementia often concentrate on strategies that enhance the quality of life of the elderly afflicted by these conditions? It’s precisely why experts recommend establishing a daily routine for patients with this dementia. 

Below, we’ve outlined the exact reasons why habits should be encouraged. We’ve also shared some of the best practices done by assisted living communities.

The Proven Advantages of Establishing Routines for Dementia Patients

Daily practices benefit all of us. It’s especially beneficial for people with dementia because of the following facts:

• Think of routines as a way for seniors to remain engaged in day-to-day activities. It immerses them in life, in short, which is what this condition affects the most.
• It’s also been scientifically proven that people that suffer from memory loss can profit from doing familiar activities. Familiar routines stimulate two forms of memory: long-term and procedural. 
• Another important fact to point out is that dementia typically affects short-term memory. Since habits don’t fall under that category, they won’t be forgotten by the patient as quickly as other forms of memory. 
• The repetitive nature of routines is also beneficial. It gives a calming effect to patients. If you’re caring for someone who is prone to sleep problems, mood swings, and agitation, this may be especially advantageous to them. 
• These activities can be seamlessly modified to focus on improving cognitive function. It doesn’t have to be about repetition as well. These routines can immerse them in new experiences and social connections as well.
• Speaking of focus, without a doubt, it also provides that much-needed touch of organization in their life. Stability means control and a better sense of security, which almost all dementia sufferers can’t get enough of. 
• Last but not least is the feeling of productivity it imparts, that feeling that paves the way to gratification. Positive energy can make all the difference in the world, and once we couple it with creativity, it pretty much makes adopting these habits all the more desirable.

Customizing the Routines Is Just as Pivotal

If you look at the memory care programs of assisted living facilities like Lantern communities, you’ll see that not only do they immerse their residents in daily routines, but they also tailor their programs to each person. Personalization is crucial because, at the end of the day, dementia patients are seldom alike. 

• Each person’s energy level varies a lot. 
• There are also individuals who are more of an early bird, while others are night owls. 
• We also can’t deny the fact that each individual in a community senior living has different hobbies and interests. 

It’s also important to take note that these communities also focus on restoring self sufficiency. After all, dementia patients should be afforded all the dignity that is rightfully theirs. Supporting and encouraging them to perform these routines by themselves serves as a good step toward that direction. 

Tips to Set Up Routines Properly

If you pay a visit to a long term memory care facility, you’ll more than likely be able to witness firsthand how these communities set these daily routines for their residents. 

Since everyone’s different, what can you do to make sure that the patient will always be able to handle the routines?

1.  Always base the activities on the abilities of each individual

Not only will this guarantee that they’ll actually want to perform them regularly, but it will also ensure the overall safety of the patient. Also, it will be easier to teach them these activities if they actually show an innate interest in it. Of course, this entails knowing who you’re caring for. 

     2. Keep it slow and creative

Don’t rush. Slow and steady is the way to go then gradually introduce changes to the activity as you see progress. In senior care facilities like Lantern, you’ll notice that plenty of the group activities involve something creative like painting. This is because not only does this activity stimulate one’s aesthetic sense, but it also gives one a sense of achievement. 

     3. Focus on games and activities that involve thinking

There’s no better way to tackle dementia directly than this. And there’s no limit to your options as well. You can ask them to regularly take part in games like board games and puzzles. You can get the entire community involved and foster friendly competition by allotting a day for trivia, too. 

     4. Encourage them to keep moving. 

Homes for senior living that have facilities in place to motivate their residents to exercise will always be preferred by many. Walking every day can already do wonders for patients with dementia. There’s no room to doubt the healing powers of the outdoors, after all, and any form of movement is without a doubt equally beneficial. Gardening is no exception.

     5. Don’t forget self-expression

We’ve mentioned painting before, but we also can’t forget that there are other ways to express oneself. Anyone in senior living understands the importance of being able to form connections through other mediums like singing or music in general. 

Even floral arrangements, knitting blankets, and other craft activities serve as a great way to exhibit one’s aesthetic sense and personality. 

Conclusion

With all the facts mentioned above, almost any senior living facility that cares for dementia patients should consider daily routines as a necessity. It already arguably falls in the category of therapeutic activities for people with dementia as the condition mainly impacts their cognitive abilities. 

To make the most out of these benefits, though, it’s less about following a specific set of guidelines and more about taking the time to truly know what senior community residents with dementia want. 

Once you pair them with the routines that fit them, you’ll see positive results before long. The feedback we’ve received in our Lantern communities serve as a testament to it.