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Posted on: 17.12.2021

Top Tips For Establishing a Routine

One of the most common fears associated with Alzheimer’s and Dementia is the eventual loss of memory: the idea that you will, one day, lose your independence. While the future is uncertain at this point, and it’s unknown how severely anyone will be affected by the illness, there are numerous techniques you and your loved ones can use in order to exercise and extend your memory. 

While these techniques are not a cure for Alzheimer’s Disease or a sure fire way of halting dementia before it starts to interfere with your memory, they are a way of maximising your quality of life while you’re living with Dementia. 

Establishing a routine can help to maintain your day to day memory and independence — which by itself is a perfectly valid reason to establish one.. 

How To Establish a Routine

Because Dementia is primarily a short term memory disorder, routines stored in the long term memory will mostly be unaffected once you’ve established familiarity with your routine. Not only does this mean you’ll experience less anxiety and have a better experience in your day to day life, it’ll also mean you’ll be able to live independently. 

Invest in a Digital Clock

As such, your first investment should be in a digital clock — preferably one with date and 24 hour functions. This will allow you to keep track of the time and date, and allow you to quickly remember them if you become confused. For extra security, you might also consider making sure that you pick up a solar powered or rechargeable digital clock that you can plug in and recharge every so often. This will ensure that you never forget about buying batteries. 

Invest in a Diary or Calendar

Next, you should look at investing in a diary or calendar. This will allow you to keep track of useful or important information — IE due bills, important appointments, etc and make sure you don’t miss them. It also serves as an indication of past events if you can’t remember what happened. 

Use Checklists

Related to the above, another great piece of equipment you can use in order to establish a routine is a checklist. Your checklist can be as simple or as complicated as you want it to be. For example, you might not feel comfortable using a digital checklist in order to check off tasks and prefer to use a paper and pen.

At the same time, you can have more than one checklist if you feel the need to keep track of multiple tasks, such as bills you have to pay and groceries to buy. Once you’ve established your checklist as part of your day to day routine, it’s easy to keep to it. 

Use a Black or Whiteboard For Reference

Related to the above points, you may wish to invest in a white or blackboard that you can attach to somewhere easily viewable — such as the outside of your fridge/freezer or on a kitchen door. Wherever you place it, you should make sure that it’s easily viewable without any extra work on your part. Not only can you write important notes and messages to yourself, but you can also write your checklists on them. 

Declutter Your Environment

Next, you should look at decluttering your environment. The idea behind this is that you are getting rid of anything that may cause injury or harm later on — for example, this might mean just getting rid of that old ottoman that just sits in the middle of your living room. Alternatively, it might mean undertaking a total decluttering of your living space. 

It’s important to remember that you are only getting rid of things which may cause injury — not a total removal of all personality from your space. You should make sure your personal space is safe, not that it’s sterile. 

Invest in a pill box

Our last recommendation for you in regards to establishing a routine is  to invest in a pill box. This will allow you to keep track of your medication on a day to day basis, making sure that you don’t take too much or too little and that you take the right medications on the right day. By doing this, you will be able to manage your illness and maintain a semi-independent lifestyle. 

Contact Charlotte House Today

A care home in Wirral, Charlotte House Care Home is a member of the Lovett Care Group of Care Homes, The Lovett Group provides first-class residential and respite care in Cheshire, Wales, and throughout the English West Midlands. We offer personalised care plans for our residents and their families, allowing for people living with dementia to live good, relaxing lives  in our high quality care homes. 

For more information about our services and homes, get in contact with us today.