Routines
and Reminders
Activities
that make up day-to-day living, such as dressing, grooming,
bathing and eating, can be made to form a pattern. Routines
allow the person with Alzheimer's disease to know what
to expect and to continue to do things on her own. Doing
so will make her feel better about herself.
It
will be easier if you continue the routines that she
has been used to much of her life. For example, if she
is used to bathing in the morning it is best to make
morning bathing the pattern. Carrying out the activities
in much the same order each day will also help the person
know what to expect.
Reminders
will help, particularly during the earlier stages of
the disease. These
can be written notes on the fridge to remind her to eat
or signs on a cupboard to tell her what is inside. If
the person is living alone, see the Ethical
Guideline: Living Alone.
If
she no longer understands words, colour cues
or pictures could be used. Cues such as a toothbrush
on the counter will remind the person to brush her teeth.
Clothes laid out in the order they are to be put on will
make it easier for her to get dressed.
Regular
reminders might be needed to get the person to go to
the bathroom.
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