Daily Routine
Excerpt from The Activity Planning
Workbook by Teresa Shanahan, PhD.
Building a routine for each day is a source of comfort and familiarity
for many people. For people with Dementia, routine provides them additionally
with a sense of safety. As you build a routine for daily activities,
consider the inclusion of these five important components.
1. Orientation to the World
Reading the morning newspaper
helps many people to gain orientation on a daily basis.
Simplify orientation to what is positive and relevant.
Offer limited information, while at the same time assisting
the person to keep in touch with the world.
Use phrases and words to include place and
time, such as: “What a beautiful Monday!” “I love
these days in August.” “San Diego is a great place to
live.”
2. Making Plans
Making plans within our day and our week
provides us with enjoyment associated with feelings of anticipation
and expectation. When offering choices, offer the person two choices
of activities and let them choose one, if they are able. It is important
to remember that the ability to initiate is impaired for people with
Dementia.
Set the mood with simple statements to demonstrate
enthusiasm, such as, “I am looking forward to going to the
zoo today,” or “It is a pleasure to find family pictures
together.”
3. Expressing Gratitude
Find one reason to be grateful each day.
Write the reason to be grateful down in a notebook or onto the calendar.
Talk about and write down each simple gratitude, such as, “There
was a beautiful breeze today.”
4. Exercise
Exercise may include walking, sports activities,
yoga, or chair exercises to music. Exercise needs to include aerobic,
strengthening, and stretching. Finding simple new equipment can add
fun and variety. Theraban, a rubber resistance band, is one great
tool.
5. Family Review
Reviewing pictures of family and important
people can be an important daily routine for some people. Let the
person’s responses be your guide for frequency and all daily
routine selections.
