Practical Tips for Creating a Daily Routine that Benefits Your Aging Parents

A structured routine improves your loved one’s sleep and reduces their stress and worries. It also keeps you prepared for future tasks and responsibilities, and you will have some time to spare with your family and friends. Now, you might wonder where to start and how to create a routine that reflects your loved one’s best interest. In this article, I will cover everything from the features of an ideal routine to creating a daily routine and how you can promote independence in your parents.

What to Consider When Creating a Daily Routine?

The purpose of considering these factors is to ensure the routine plan you are creating is comprehensive and easy on your loved ones. Let’s have a look at which factors you should consider before jotting down your loved one’s routine.

1. Routine must not feel like military training, Hence, it should be flexible enough to accommodate changes and their interests.
2. Create morning and nighttime routines separately, so your parents do not get confused ( important for those who have cognitive disabilities)
3. Make a routine with them not alone, and consider their suggestions.
4. Keep in mind their health conditions and design activities accordingly.
5. Make sure the routine you building is consistent.
6. Add break times in between activities (our goal is to promote independence not to exhaust them)
7. Regularly update and adjust as needed.
8. Use visual charts, and pictures to make your loved one understand their routine.

Daily Routine that Helps Seniors:

I have discussed the features of a good routine that will help you create one. Now, for your better understanding, let’s look at the structure of an ideal daily routine for the elderly.

1. Wake up in the morning around 6:30-7:30 (8 hours of sleep is crucial so to wake up at 6:30 start counting backward for your ideal bedtime)
2. Doing self-grooming tasks before breakfast.
3. Engaging in light workouts or yoga before and after breakfast (many experts suggest working out before breakfast improves metabolism, but seniors with health concerns such as diabetes should avoid doing a pre-breakfast workout)
4. Spend some time in hobbies or engage in indoor activities
5. Rest for some time read a book, watch TV
6. Before noon, run some errands i.e. light grocery shopping, etc
7. Spend time with friends in the neighborhood, if you have joined adult day care, be there consistently as it’s a good way of socializing
8. Have lunch on time
9. Take an after-lunch nap, but not too long as it will affect your sleep at night.
10. Involve in household chores like folding laundry, tidying up your room, etc
11. Game time with family (puzzles, card and board games)
12. Have dinner
13. Light physical activity after dinner (breathing exercises or meditation, if you have a pet take them for a walk)
14. Again spend time on creative hobbies or activities
15. Start performing bedtime rituals (doing relaxing activities)
16. Perform self-grooming tasks (changing into comfy clothes, brushing, etc)
17. Go to bed

Some fun activities can be performed at any time of the day whenever your loved one is ready. Try to keep mealtime consistent irrespective of their condition. However, if your loved one has a cognitive impairment such as dementia or Alzheimer’s, doing everything at the same time is preferred to avoid confusion.

Remember, it’s a structure that can be modified according to your loved ones’ personal and medical needs. For example, if advised by the doctor, you must reserve some time for appointments and therapies.

How Can You Promote Independence in Seniors?

Routines are for the support of your loved ones. If they feel like their independence is being threatened, try empowering them through these steps. Support is not about dictating them but facilitating “how they want to live.”

1. Let Them Make Their Decisions: 

You feel independent when making your own decisions, and so do your parents.

1. Allow them to make their own choices (whether it’s what they eat, wear, or when they want their doctor’s appointment to be).
2. Never assume they can’t make decisions just because they don’t have enough knowledge (present them with the information needed to make a good decision).
3. Giving them the power to decide will boost their self-esteem.

2. Promote Independence in Practice: 

The concept of promoting independence is simple and doesn’t require much except for the fact that you have to make them feel normal. As simple as that, making it practical becomes difficult.

1. Give them time to make a decision. So, they have time to think it through.
   Facilitate their decision so they feel confident.
2. One of the best ways to promote independence. Involve them in daily chores such as running errands, setting up the table, folding laundry, choosing their meals, or what fun activity to engage in.
3. Make the house hazard-free to make it safe for the. This way they can roam around and do stuff according to their liking.

How Do Our Caregivers Help Build a Daily Routine?

At considracare, our caregivers are experienced in building customized plans and putting them into action. The process our caregivers follow goes something like this;

At the start, we arrange a meeting between the family and caregiver, in this way both sides get to know each other. Most importantly, caregivers can better understand the condition of the person they will be caring for.

After that, they are responsible for;

• Getting your loved ones ready for the day
• Meal preparation and planning
• Medication reminders
• Companionship throughout the day
• Engaging in fun activities
• Getting your loved one ready for the night

Our team builds a detailed care plan that includes your loved one’s interests, hobbies, medications, and basically, every other thing our caregivers are responsible for. Moreover, the client portal allows you to get real-time updates on the care delivery process of your loved ones.

Contact us today for a free care assessment and learn how we can help in providing in-home care for your loved one.

Key Points to Remember:

A well-crafted routine can potentially enhance the quality of life of any older adult. If you want to see your parents satisfied and independent, consider building a simple routine for them. You can start from the basic framework of only essential activities and upgrade your way to extra activities that promote learning and relaxation. Do not forget that staying consistent and practicing the routine is as important as making it.

FAQ’s 

Q. Why is building a daily routine important for seniors?

Building a daily routine helps seniors maintain structure, reduces anxiety, and promotes independence. A consistent routine can improve their mental well-being by offering predictability, and it ensures that essential activities like meals, medication, and exercise are not missed, all while keeping them engaged and active.

Q. How can I create a routine that promotes independence for my parent?

Start by involving your parent in the process. Ask about their preferences for activities and daily tasks. Keep the routine simple yet flexible, incorporating activities like light exercise, hobbies, and social interaction. Make sure the routine allows them to do as much on their own as possible while providing support where needed.

Q. What are some key activities to include in a senior’s daily routine?

Include tasks that promote physical, mental, and emotional well-being. These can include:

• Light exercises like walking or stretching
• Cognitive activities such as puzzles or reading
• Social interaction with friends, family, or a caregiver
• Personal care tasks that allow them to maintain self-sufficiency (e.g., grooming or dressing)

Q. How can I help my parent stay consistent with their routine?

Consistency is key, but flexibility is important too. Use tools like visual schedules or reminders, and gradually introduce new activities to avoid overwhelming them. Regularly check in on how they feel about the routine and make adjustments as necessary. Involvement from caregivers or other family members can also help maintain consistency.

Q. How does a daily routine benefit a parent with dementia?

For seniors with cognitive decline, such as dementia, routines can provide comfort and reduce confusion. Familiar patterns and repetition help minimize anxiety by making their environment more predictable. Structured routines also ensure that essential tasks like medication management are performed at the same time each day, reducing the risk of forgetfulness or accidents.

Fakiha

Fakiha is an experienced writer at ConsidraCare with an optimistic interest in life. She has a proactive approach to improving health and wellness for seniors. She offers well-researched and thoughtful information to help individuals make informed healthcare decisions for themselves and their loved ones.