Dementia Routines

It is thought that routines are a vital part of a dementia person’s care and really it makes sense. As a dementia patient’s cognitive function becomes impaired, the dementia patient will find it more difficult to try out something new. Anything that they find confusing or distressing can only add to anxiety and the potential for difficult dementia behaviours. To find out more about difficult dementia behaviours, read our article here. Some of the difficult dementia behaviours include:

• Anxiety or anxious episodes

• Aggression or agitation

• Sundowning

• Hallucinations or delusions

• Wandering

• Soiling or incontinence

What sorts of routines are we talking about

The short term memories are the initial cognitive functions that are impacted. However the medium term memory stays in tact for some time, so sticking to daily routines that have always been done, makes sense. It also means there is less likelihood of anxious behaviour if the dementia patient doesn’t understand why they are being asked to do something. 

So routines can be anything from:

• The time they have breakfast, or if they eat a certain food at breakfast

• Sitting to read the daily newspaper

• Regular weekly hair appointments

• Bedtime routines - times, bathing habits, cleaning habits

• Exercise - daily walk or other weekly activity

• Putting the washing away, setting the table or washing up together

How to construct a routine

When the care of a dementia patient is being decided, a full history is usually taken about the patient. This might be carried out by the healthcare professional who will be in charge of their care. The reason for doing this is to ensure that a dementia patient receives a patient-centred care plan, can be provided for them. The more history the care team has about the patient, the better care plan can be, which uses elements from their history. Even things such as their music tastes or hobbies are important. It is at this point that information on routines and regular activities should be gathered. 

Routines should be simplified. The cognitive decline in a patient makes it more difficult for them to approach everyday tasks. Tasks will take longer too and if their motor function is impacted, this could complicate more fiddly tasks, such as tying shoe laces. 

Ensure that the patient has control and independence and work a routine that they can adapt to and be happy with. If you need to redo something that they have done, try to do it discreetly or don’t make a fuss about it. Keeping the patient calm is important and maintaining low stress levels also.