Want To Have a Better Day? Plan It!
Dear Caregivers,
Time can be your enemy--or your best friend. For a caregiver of a loved one suffering from Alzheimer’s, finding enough time, making sure that things get done on time, and managing time can all be a challenge. But if it’s done right, planning and scheduling time can be one of the most powerful tools in your caregiver kit.
First of all, time-planning reduces the load of stress, emotion, and mental work you need to do on an ongoing basis. Once you have a plan, you can relax more, and be more “present” in the day, because you worry less about what is coming next. That in turn lowers your stress, which is good for your health and well-being.
At the same time, time planning and regular scheduling means more predictability for your loved one. People suffering from Alzheimer’s have a heightened sense of anxiety, making them more fearful of unpredictability. Having a regular pattern to their day gives your loved one a pattern of activity that their brains can grow accustomed to, and can even help them maintain their self-sufficiency in some tasks over the long run.
When thinking about your time management, keep the following principles in mind:
BUILD AROUND EXISTING HABITS: If you and your loved one already regularly do a task during the day, week, or month, such as meal times, or a visit to a friend, or an evening walk, take advantage of that existing timetable and make it an anchor in your schedule. Don’t introduce any changes if you don’t have to!
MATCH YOUR ENERGY: Schedule energetic times when your loved one (and you) are typically feeling energized, such as mid-morning. Consider scheduling calming, wind-down times for late afternoon or evenings.
SET THE SCENE: Use non-verbal cues as signals for an upcoming activity. Visual and auditory cues such as pulling the curtains closed for resting time, or putting a kettle on for afternoon tea, can act as non-verbal, reinforcing cues to your loved one that a next step in the day is coming.
MOVE: Make sure that every day has movement for you and your loved one, as even just a few minutes a day of chair yoga or walk helps set the stage for better sleep and health overall.
SCHEDULE YOURSELF FIRST: As you all are aware by now, I’m a big believer that caregivers need to “Take Your Oxygen First,” because if you don’t make time to care for yourself, you risk losing your abilities to help your loved one. Don’t make your personal time an afterthought for the day.
Here is some more guidance on making the best of your time:
Want to Have a Good Day? Schedule It!
When activities occur at about the same time each day, your loved one will often feel an enhanced sense of comfort and security. Keeping a daily schedule can be helpful for family caregivers, too. Here’s how to do it.
Time Management for Caregivers:
While there isn’t a way to create more time in the day, there are methods that can help you get the most out of every minute. Here are some strategies to help manage time effectively and free up time for yourself.
The Benefits of a Daily Routine:
A consistent daily routine provides structure and comfort for people suffering from dementia and their caregivers. Plan to continually explore, experiment, and adjust the activities based on the mood and the abilities of your loved one with dementia. Here’s an overview and sample daily schedule.
Best,
Rosemary D Laird, MD, MHSA
Founder and Chief Medical Officer
“The bad news is time flies. The good news is you're the pilot."
— Michael Altshuler
