Routines Help With Alzheimer’s Care
Your mom has Alzheimer’s. You’re not sure what to do first. It’s important to set a routine as soon as you can. When there’s a routine involving her care and help with daily activities, it provides her with a level of normalcy and few surprises.
An Alzheimer’s care plan also helps you. You’ll have a daily to-do list that you can hand off to others if you’re not feeling your best and need a day off. It also helps you arrange the day so that you’re spending quality time with your mom as well as getting things done.
Organize Her Daily Schedule
Go over the tasks your mom has to do each day. Jot those down on a list. Add things you know she loves to do. If your mom’s always gone for a walk after lunch, keep that in her daily schedule. Things you need to make sure you’ve included are:
- Medications
Home Care Springfield, VA: Alzheimer’s Care
- Shower/grooming
- Meals and snacks
- Daily exercise
- Bill paying/money management
- Pet care if she has pets
- Appointments
- Fun activities
- Housework/laundry
Some of those activities do not have to be daily chores. Laundry, vacuuming, and dusting may only need to be completed once a week. Others are done multiple times a day. Allow for those differences.
Get Her Used to a Routine
Make sure your mom has a routine to follow. Don’t let her sleep all morning and nap more in the afternoon. It will make it hard for her to go to sleep at a normal hour that night. Shoot for a 10 p.m. bedtime and make sure she’s out of bed at 6 a.m.
Let her have coffee while she listens to the news or her favorite music while you make breakfast. Cook things you know she’ll eat. If she loves sugary treats, fresh fruit and toast with preserves is a good start. After that, get her into the shower. It can take longer for her to shower and dress, so make sure you’ve allowed extra time.
Work with a home care aide as soon as you can. When you need a break from your responsibilities as a family caregiver, it is less stressful for your mom if she has some level of familiarity with the person taking over for you. Introduce home care in the early stages of the disease to achieve this familiarity.
When you get her used to a professional caregiver for years, it helps her with adjustment. Plus, it allows the caregiver to get used to your care routine. By establishing home care in the early stages of Alzheimer’s, you won’t be nervous taking days off for self-care. Your mom won’t be agitated with a strange person in her home while you’re away.
If you or an aging loved-one is considering Home Care in Springfield, VA please contact the caring staff at Thrive Health Care Services today. (703) 992-0484