Managing Day-to-Day
For caregivers, managing day-to-day activities can be burdensome. Here are some strategies that can help make these tasks easier.
Dear Caregivers,
As we work our way through the final days of February, I feel as though the labors of getting through each day with a sense of accomplishment, or at least one little smile, can be a real challenge, though one that is offset by the knowledge that spring is just around the corner!
For caregivers, of course, managing day-to-day activities is even more burdensome. Everyday activities that seemed so simple perhaps just a short while ago now take on a new, Herculean dimension of effort.
But there are some strategies that can help make these tasks easier. Here are a few ideas:
Create a daily routine and maintain it: Creating a regular routine can help your loved one feel more secure and comfortable. Establish a consistent schedule for your loved one’s meals, activities, and bedtime. Write up this schedule in a highly visible way, and mount it in a place where your loved one can easily see it.
Provide step by step assistance for complicated tasks: Break down big, involved tasks into smaller, manageable steps. Provide simple, clear instructions, and give verbal assistance if your loved one is having difficulties. The key is to avoid overwhelming your loved one with multiple choices, or too much information.
Use visual cues: Help your loved one’s fading memory with visual reminders in all the day-to-day areas such as the bathroom, the kitchen, and their bedroom. For example, use pictures or colored labels to identify different items such as a toilet seat, or a coffee pot.
Maintain flexibility: Alzheimer's disease can make your loved one’s behavior unpredictable, so it's critical to be as flexible as possible, and adapt to changes in your loved one’s actions or needs. If something isn't working, try a different approach.
Encourage independence: While it's important to provide assistance to your loved one when needed, it's also important to encourage them to be as independent as possible. This will help them maintain a sense of self-worth and dignity.
Remember: Timing is everything! Keep in mind that your loved one is likely to have difficulties keeping track of time and can even lose a sense of the overall flow of the day, such as first, there is lunch, and then after lunch everyone will go out to the park. Use thoughtfully-timed comments to keep the day on track. For example, say something like “we will need to get ready now to go to the store.” You can adjust the timing of your comments to bring this up at the right time, depending on your loved ones' tendencies. Remember that your loved one may also have trouble moving as quickly and efficiently as they used to, and so patience is needed as you try to keep on track.
Give yourself a break: Caregiving can be exhausting, both physically and emotionally. So, it’s important to prioritize caring for yourself. This means maintaining a good diet, getting plenty of sleep, getting exercise, and practicing relaxation exercises such as meditation or yoga.
Here are some more ideas to explore:
Common Caregiving Challenges in Alzheimer’s:
The symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease affect your loved one, others who interact with them, and yourself. Here are some common challenges that you may face and the strategies we’ve found that can help.
Overcoming Difficulties in Bathing or Showering:
No personal care activity is more challenging than helping your loved one bathe or shower. Because bathing is such a uniquely private activity, your loved one may not want your help. But for most of our loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease, the time will come when they need some assistance. To ensure success with this important activity, tailor your support to match your loved one’s ability. Here is some guidance.
Managing Incontinence:
Many caregivers say that coping with incontinence is one of the most challenging parts of their duties. But with patience, compassion, and the latest tools, you can manage this challenge while preserving your loved one’s privacy and dignity. Here’s how to overcome these challenges.
Activity Ideas For Loved Ones with Low Vision:
There are two main reasons your loved one may be having trouble with vision. First, everyone has changes in their vision as they get older. Cataracts are the most common affliction and lead to “cloudy vision” with a slow reduction in people’s ability to see. Secondly, our loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease or related disorders (ADRD) are likely to lack the ability to understand what they see or remember what a particular item is used for. Given these changes, customizing enjoyable activities for your loved one with low vision abilities might take some trial and error to find the right fit. Here are some strategies.
Remember, if you can’t find the information you need on our website, you can always “Ask NAN” by clicking on this link.
Best,
Rosemary D Laird, MD, MHSA
Founder and Chief Medical Officer
“Put one foot in front of the other, no matter what.”
— Eleanor Brownn
