A daily routine really is so beneficial to seniors. I found this blog post that may be helpful to explain more: https://www.careworkshealthservices.com/daily-routine-for-seniors/

This is so very timely for me to read.

Our parrot died two nights ago. My husband (diagnosed with dementia in 2017) has been very rigid about uncovering the parrot in the morning and giving him food and water and a kiss goodnight in the evening. When we travel (necessary, my dad lives five hours away), he still said "Good night, Conner. Give me a kiss. XX " A little while after he did the goodnight routine Monday, the bird acted strange and I had to lower him to the bottom of the cage. I awakened my husband to tell him that something was wrong and by the time I got back to the cage, Conner was dead.

My husband has been inconsolable, sobbing and wailing all night Monday and all day Tuesday. He finally slept last night but woke up sobbing this morning. I know part of it is because his routine has been upended and there is no way to change it back. At least when we traveled, he knew he'd pick back up with his routine, now he doesn't have that. He's still very independent, very early in this dementia journey, but situations like this serve as a reminder of what the future holds.

GREAT ARTICLE.
I so agree on many relevant points.
i've posted here alot since my beloved father is now one with stages of the dementia/alz, and the first is short-term memory loss is what he is going through.
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But, i have posted prior citing, we always are doing things together,and i love it. There is not a day that goes by, for which he is active and i will list again what that is, for which is truly helpin' him my dad dr. says often, and that is even a simple "walk around the block!" more drives we take, blocks away the park area, to a store! To different other places.
1 to 2 hour drive, per every "other day."Shorter distance 1x a day yep and
me, dad, mom love it.mom only has high blood pressure praise God. He and mom love going out still,and when dad has his bouts few x a day with "short term memory loss/dementia, he bounce right back with a smile when we just simply "remind him gently"of what he is going thru,
so he understand,and again he love driving his entire 82 years almost 83.Now, he is 84, and still hangin in there, dr. say, he has such a healthy body still,strong heart,and it's nice to see him get out still/doing things
he is still "able to do,and it truly helps."I moved out here to ensure dad
has a great 80s(doing things some can't do)and seeing him smile and help 24hrs.a day mom and dad, where the other children are not at all that way, and all are older than me, but dad go out regularly and even again a simple walk, and drive 1 mile away to further drives are helping
dad so so much, the grocery store he still go to, with mom, and i let them go in together, all of the time,and their own banking,where dad smile at the teller asking, "How are you?"and dad start chit chatting again."He love going out still and i make sure no matter what his health
and his outdoor activity come first, as they go hand and hand,and truly is helping him much the dr.says.Then he take a nap at 4 or 5, and get up and eat dinner laughing talking and watching tv with his beloved wife of 62 yrs.almost, my mother.
God bless you all.
adios.

I put together a one-page list of things he needs to do each day and made copies to put around the house. He will troll the house picking up paper and reading it, so he finds these and seems appreciative of the reminders. I also have a one page (multiple copies) of phone numbers so he can reach (and remember) people that are regularly in his life. We have given up notifying him of things that will happen more than a day in advance as he worries about them until they occur.

Nadia5 - there are good articles under the caregiving tab at the top of this page. https://www.agingcare.com/bathing-hygiene

How to convince dementia person to eat if he refuses to eat or drink for days?
How can we convince him to shower, cut hair and change clothes? Please advise

Thanks for posting. My husband has finally understood that a schedule is good for his mom. The main schedule is in the evening, watching a Columbo, which signals bedtime. She may not sleep immediately, but at least it sets the mood and calms her down enough to take medication and go to bed and "read" or watch TV.

My siblings live somewhat spontaneously and don't understand the importance of routine and scheduling for my father. They call up and schedule with my father who may or may not write it down on the calendar or a piece of paper he has since lost. They don't always tell me or the PCA so we can ensure he is ready on the right day at the right time. One day he waited hours for my brother to pick him up - my brother had changed the date.

My mom was such a creature of habit before my dad had his heart attack that when I moved in to help with his recovery it completely threw her off and unfortunately became unable to handle during this very difficult time. I took her to a facility (which was not my finest hour) thinking it would only be for a few weeks. Here it is 5 years later. She is not in very good condition but stable. Has gone downhill very, very slowly. Her last fall was her last and is now in a wheelchair. Doesn't communicate very often but at least she knows me and my dad most of the time.....I think. Saw her today and I think it took her a while to remember who I was but at least we just sat and I could hold her hand and talk TO her about well, things. I don't want to tell her important things just in case she has a lucid moment OR she is really in there somewhere and just can't communicate. I don't want to think about that but I do. ANyway, yes, routine is very, very important for dementia/Alz. patients. God Bless to all

These articles are extremely helpful!! My mother was placed in a care facility that does not particularly know how to care for a person with dementia/Alzheimer's. At least through these articles, I get the added advise and help I need so that when I pick my mother up and bring her home with me for visits that we have a pleasant time. This is such a cruel disease, and all the help one can get is such a blessing!

Thank you for this excellent article. After raising 2 children as a divorced mom while being a Realtor where both required flexibility in my daily life, I am caring for my mother (87 with dementia) in my home. One of the hardest challenges I personally have faced is adapting to a regular schedule based on her needs. It took me awhile to understand that eating by the clock, and some of the other seemingly inflexible habits, were her way of maintaining control. It really does help her maintain calm in her life that must be very unsettling at times. This has underscored the importance routine has for her. Thanks!