A Sample Daily Routine
- 8:30 am: Wake up and have breakfast. For the first six years, she prepared her coffee and a simple meal like a healthy cereal or microwaved one of the breakfasts we meal-prepped for her.
- 9:30 am: Take morning medicine and relax.
- 10:30 am: Walk on the treadmill.
- 11:00 am: Shower and get dressed for the day.
- 12:30 pm: Lunch, which she helps prepare.
- 1:30 – 5:30 pm: Free time. We’ve built in these hours for her to use however she likes. She often watches TV, naps, works on art projects, or spends time in the yard when the weather’s nice. She also enjoys chatting with family and friends on the phone or through video calls. Early on, she loved tackling word puzzles independently. On laundry day, she helps fold clothes and change the sheets in her bedroom.
- 5:30 pm: Start preparing dinner as a helper.
- 6:30 pm: Eat dinner and assist with cleanup.
- 7:30 pm: Get ready for bed—change into pajamas, brush teeth, wash face.
- 7:45 pm: Watch TV with Dad (always with subtitles!).
- 9:30 pm: Take evening medicine and continue watching TV until falling asleep around 11:00 pm.
Adapting Over Time
For the first three years, our mom managed this routine independently. By year four, we streamlined certain tasks and added cues to help her maintain her independence. Here are some practical adjustments we made:
- Bathroom: We simplified her skincare and makeup by organizing a small, clear container with only essential items: one moisturizer, foundation, blush, lipstick, and eyeshadow.
- Bedroom: We reorganized her closet and drawers to include only seasonally appropriate clothes and shoes, ensuring her choices were always suitable.
- Kitchen: We stored her coffee creamer in a glass milk bottle labeled “Milk for coffee” and always kept it in the same spot in the fridge. Minor adjustments like this made tasks more manageable and stress-free.
When she started needing more help, we didn’t take over entirely. Instead, we offered guided repetition and step-by-step instructions, allowing her to stay as involved as possible. She didn’t want us to do everything for her, and we knew that maintaining her independence was crucial for her well-being.
Practical Tips for Caregivers
If you want to help your loved one stay high-functioning despite cognitive loss, work together to create a daily routine. Be flexible and ready to evolve it as your loved one’s needs change. Remember, minor tweaks and consistent habits can make a big difference over time, so don’t be afraid to adapt as necessary. This adaptability is key in the caregiving journey.
Seven years in, our mom still handles many tasks independently, though she now benefits from a bit more guidance. The more independence your loved one retains, the easier it will be for both of you—and the more fulfilling their daily life can feel. This independence is the ultimate goal of our caregiving strategy.
