How Routine Helps Seniors With Memory Loss Feel Safer
Why Routine Is Important for Seniors With Memory Loss
Routine is crucial for seniors with memory loss because it helps to minimise confusion and anxiety. According to Age UK, for people living with memory loss, “A set routine can enable a sense of security, builds confidence and (makes it) easier to manage on a daily basis.”
Routine helps to bring a sense of normality to someone’s days and gives them purpose. This also helps the person feel like they are still in control of their days. This boosts wellbeing and means they will cope more easily. Age UK agrees. “Daily routines can be a vital tool that in turn gives a sense of worth, heeds embarrassment, (and) normalises the day.”
How Memory Loss Affects Daily Life
We all follow routines every day. If this suddenly changes it can make any of us feel unsettled, but this is even more polarising for someone with memory loss. This is because they may already be feeling anxious that their life is slipping out of their control and may be trying to hang on to their normal routine as something stabilising in their life. This is where having support at home from Helping Hands can make such a difference. Whether for an hour or two a week, every day, or around the clock, our carers will support your routine while making sure you remain in control of your everyday life.
The Connection Between Routine, Predictability, and Reduced Anxiety
There is a profound connection between routine, predictability, and reduced anxiety. Routine “provides a sense of safety and stability, which is crucial for emotional regulation” while predictability “helps to calm the nervous system, reducing stress hormones and promoting a sense of calm.” By reducing cognitive load, says Blue Squid Learning, it allows the brain to focus on more complex tasks. This means someone with memory loss can manage parts of their routine that they may not otherwise be able to.
Common Signs a Senior May Be Struggling Without Structure
Mental Health Issues
Such as forgetfulness, irritability, loss of interest, depression, or withdrawal.
Physical Health Decline
Pain, reduced strength, unwillingness to move around or go out.
Disinterest in Social Life
Withdrawal from social engagement, avoiding family & friends.
Becoming self-conscious
They may become embarrassed or lose confidence.
Key Daily Routines That Support Memory and Independence
Maintaining a daily routine will ensure that the person remains as independent as possible in the home they love. There are many ways to achieve this, such as:
Digital Day Clocks
Clocks with large displays can help seniors with memory loss to keep track of the day, date, and time.
Medication Dispensers with Alarms
Pill boxes or smartphone apps can be set to remind people when they should take their medication.
Daily Whiteboard Schedules
This can help someone keep track of their routine, especially if colours or visual cues are used.
Mealtime Visual Prompts
Pictures of food and drink can help someone to remember what they are doing at mealtimes.
Bathroom and kitchen picture prompts
Visual cue cards and signs in rooms can help to remind about eating, grooming, and toileting.
Motion Sensor Night Lights
Automatic lights help avoid accidents at night by lighting the way to the bathroom, stairs, etc.
Organising care for a vulnerable relative is daunting. Helping Hands were professional, friendly, and caring. They gave me peace of mind knowing that my aunt was being looked after responsibly and respectfully.
Karen, Customer
The practical benefits of care at home
Home care offers a number of unique benefits that residential care simply can’t give you.
You can remain in the comfort of your own home
You have full control over your meal times and preferences
One-to-one, 24-hour care from your own dedicated carer
You can continue with your preferred lifestyle and routines
Your friends and family can visit as much as they like
How Families Can Create and Maintain Consistent Routines
Family caregivers can help their loved ones to maintain consistent routines by the use of visual cues, remaining calm when talking to loved ones, and keeping living spaces organised and clutter-free. Visual cues, such as pictures on doors of rooms, can help the person to identify rooms in their house without having to rely on other people. Keeping their home safe and comfortable will also help people to continue living independently. Helping them to remove clutter and anything that could increase the risk of falls, such as loose rugs, will also be supportive. Keeping to a consistent time schedule will also help loved ones to maintain a routine. Calling on loved ones at the same time or for the same meal can serve as ‘anchor points’ in their day.
Adapting Routines as Memory Loss Progresses
It’s important that routines are flexible enough to be easily changed if memory loss progresses. Having a seamless plan in place will mean that daily activities are altered with the least amount of disruption to the person’s day-to-day life. Other ways that family can help the person is by focussing on emotional wellbeing. When a person’s memory loss is becoming extensive, they may not remember the people around them or their daily routine, but they will often maintain emotional connections to the people and objects around them. “This emotional memory can be triggered by senses, such as hearing a certain piece of music or smelling a certain fragrance,” says the Alzheimer’s Society.
How In-Home Care Provides Structure and Familiarity
Everyone who works for Helping Hands understands how memory loss affects each person differently. We never treat people in a ‘one size fits all’ manner, instead focusing on their abilities and what they can do for themselves. We promote indepdenece and support their routine, all the time encouraging them to undertake tasks for themselves so that they feel in control of their own life.
Having the same small team of visiting carers coming to their home will mean that they get used to the people coming to see them. This reduces anxiety and helps to avoid confusion. If they opt for live-in care they’re have the same carer living in their home for weeks at a time, which will mean their routine progresses seamlessly.
Helping Hands are a member of the Dementia Action Alliance which means that our carers are fully trained on supporting people with memory loss. We’re also fully regulated by the Care Quality Commission and Care Inspectorate Wales, so you and your loved one can have complete trust in our care delivery.
Discover Elderly Care support with Helping Hands
If you would like to learn more about elderly care from Helping Hands, on either a visiting or live-in care basis, we will be happy to guide you through your options. Talking to our friendly customer care advisors any day of the week ensures that your questions will be quickly answered. You can also pop into your nearest local branch, as we have 155 branches across England and Wales. Alternatively, request a callback for a time that suits you.
