Flexible Routines for Mental Wellbeing in Alzheimer Care

Most people have heard of Alzheimer’s, but they may not know what to do when their senior gets this disease. What do you do when your senior starts behaving differently, has trouble recognizing people, can’t remember things or common routines and becomes stubborn about what they want and don’t want to do?

Being Flexible with the Senior

If the senior starts behaving differently, it’s good to think about whether their new behavior is, in any way, detrimental to their overall wellbeing. If it’s not, then it doesn’t hurt to let them go their own way. But if it’s necessary for the senior to do certain things which they are refusing to do, then there are certain tips and tricks you can use to make sure that they do those things.

The Senior’s Daily Routines

There might be certain times when an individual with Alzheimer’s only wants to wear one outfit. Obviously they can’t keep wearing the same outfit day after day, but you could invest in a few outfits which look exactly the same so that the senior can wear what they want.

Also, if the senior is resistant to bathing every day, then it wouldn’t hurt to have them bathe every second day. It’s also a good idea for the senior to avoid napping throughout the day or they may end up being unable to sleep at night.

The Senior’s Mental Wellbeing

It’s also a good idea to schedule the senior’s days in such a way that they don’t have to do too many frustrating things in one day. If certain things are proving to be a challenge, then schedule those as far apart as you can so that the senior doesn’t get too frustrated on the same day.

Day Care and Assisted Living

Overall, you may find that a senior with Alzheimer’s needs a constant level of care. This can be achieved by having a caregiver come over every day or by placing the senior in an assisted living facility where all their needs will be taken care of.

As a senior’s primary caregiver, you may not be sure of the level of care they will get from anyone other than you. But remember that every caregiver needs help; you can’t do everything on your own. So there’s no harm in having a daytime caregiver for your senior or admitting them into an assisted living facility.

Contact us to learn more about the options open to your senior who has Alzheimer’s.