Establishing a Routine

Often, changes in your loved one’s mood or personality such as suspiciousness, combativeness, or resistance, can be overwhelming and cause the most stress to the caregiver. 

The following recommendations may help decrease the chance for behavioral disruptions in your loved one:

• Remain calm, and speak in a relaxed manner to your loved one

• Provide regular structure to your loved one’s routine including toileting

• Provide simple routines that include some physical and social activity in small groups

• Provide simple choices for your loved one

• Include periods or rest and/or naps in the routine

• Minimize changes to the daily routine

• Be aware that behavioral changes may be due simply to hunger, bathroom needs, other illness, changes in vision or hearing, pain or medication side effects

• Remove excess noise or stimuli

• Help with their daily activities by using bright lights

• Walking with your loved one

• Playing music during meals or bathing