I am living with demented parents, Mom moreso than Dad. I'm finding after living here 3 months, that Mom gets "bad" when she has nothing to do. I think some sort of routine or daily structure of time will help but living in her house I don't know where to begin. I don't even know if Mom would even cooperate with a routine. Some times she is sort of normal, but not that often. Most of the time is spent in delusional thinking which gets really bad. I need a very simple but continuous routine to get her into. One that she can easily follow. Any suggestions? I'm afraid at the rate the dementia is progressing this may be the last chance for any kind of normalcy here at home. Otherwise i will be the one to join them in the mentally unstable condition!!!
I do have to watch the TV. My mother likes to watch shows that upset my father. For the most part she now understands he cannot watch them. We bought him a TV so he can watch Andy Griffith & westerns. She now watches TV in the living room. When he goes to the living room we turn off her TV and turn on the music.
Think about your folks likes/habits. Puzzles (simple ones) are big at my Mom's AL. Playing cards adapted. Sort the cards into suits or colors. Games like war if they are able to play that. Sing a long, my Mom remembers the words to songs we sang growing up. Going through small photo albums. It depends on your folks level of functioning. Can she help in the kitchen? Setting the table? Folding napkins? Clearing the table? Measuring out ingredients for cooking/baking? Simple crafts? Decorations for the holidays? They may not make Martha Stewarts' table but this is where your family is now. If mobility is all right, a walk outside can be good. Just choose the location for safety.
So here is the typical schedule: 7-8:30 up and dressed. Have them bathe on different days so you can help just one at a time. 8:30 breakfast. 9:30 exercise. 10 am beverages and possible snack (especially if they didn't eat a good breakfast) 11 - review of newspaper or magazine. 11:45 toileting, noon meal. 1 pm activity/game. 2:30 music or walk; 3 - hydration/snack; 4 clothes folding, toileting lighter meal @ 5 . 6 pm wind down, tv, etc.
No caffeine! I don't care for the typical late morning schedule at my Mom's so that is when I come over. I do face and hand creams, take my Mo outside on the walking paths, etc. As you can see this is a 24/7 job! Think about what your folks can do for themselves so that you have some time on your own! Good luck