How Routines Can Help with Lewy Body Dementia
Lewy body dementia (LBD) is a challenging condition for both the person who has been diagnosed with it and for their caregivers. One of the things that makes LBD so difficult is that the patient may have differences in cognitive function from one day to the next. In addition, their physical abilities can change with no notice. This makes the tasks associated with daily living, such as dressing, bathing, eating, etc., exceedingly difficult to plan for and carry out.
The Importance of Routine
Sticking to a daily routine can make life easier and more meaningful for a person with LBD. This is because following a routine involves habits that the person has formed over years, and habit memory sometimes stays with a person longer than other memories. For example, if your dad always walked down to the mailbox at 11 a.m. each day to get the mail, he should be allowed to continue to do that even if he needs supervision from you or a home care provider to ensure he is safe. Following a daily routine can help give your parent a sense of purpose and help to maintain their dignity.
As your parent changes due to the progression of LBD, maintaining a routine in actions as well as in where things are placed in the home can make them feel more secure. Sometimes people with LBD find a simpler, quieter life easier and more peaceful. It may be necessary to limit the amount of stimulation your parent encounters, such as too many people visiting at one time or situations that may be loud or busy.
Establishing a Routine
The people who know your parent best, namely family members and close friends, are probably the best sources for determining what your parent’s normal daily routine looks like. It may be helpful to observe daily routines before the disease progresses to a point where your parent is severely debilitated. You may find it helpful to write down a schedule that can be passed on to other family caregivers and professional home care providers. The daily routine should include things like:
- Personal Hygiene: People follow certain patterns surrounding the way they take care of themselves. Some people may prefer to shower in the morning, and others at night. Perhaps your parent likes to eat breakfast in their pajamas and then wash and dress.
- Dressing: If clothing and personal appearance have always been important to your parent, allow them to continue to have some say in what they wear. You may find it helpful to limit clothing options by giving your parent a choice between just a few outfits.
- Household Chores: If your mom has always kept a certain day of the week as “laundry day,” continue to honor that tradition. You may wish to ask her home care provider to help her do laundry on that day, even if it means that she simply hands clothing out of a basket to the home care provider to put into the washer.
Family caregivers and home care providers will find it necessary to make some changes to routines as the disease progresses. It will probably become necessary to simplify some tasks as the capabilities of your parent change, but keeping to a routine can still be comforting and may make the job of all caregivers involved easier.
If you or an aging loved-one are considering home care in Ozark, AL, please contact the caring staff at Wiregrass HomeCare today. Call us at 334-539-5900.
Sources
https://www.lbda.org/content/understanding-behavioral-changes-dementia
https://www.nia.nih.gov/alzheimers/publication/lewy-body-dementia/caring-person-lewy-body-dementia
https://www.lbda.org/node/1308
https://www.lbda.org/node/203#Using_Routines
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