A daily routine can help caregivers cope with the stresses of caring for someone with dementia. Activities that make up day-to-day living such as dressing, grooming, bathing and eating can be made to form a pattern. Everyone will feel more in control and successful about the day's activities.

A schedule will keep the person better oriented to time, lessen their frustration and help maintain independence.

Plan schedule carefully
Use early memories of experiences if possible; if the person showered at a certain time, try to keep to that time. Assess which time of day the person is most capable of performing a certain activity.

Use a calendar to keep track of activities
By writing down your schedule you allow yourself and others who assist you to see how time is spent. Make notes of appointments, special events, visits, outings etc. on the calendar.

Simplify routines
Most tasks involve a series of smaller tasks; break each major task down so the person can manage each step. Give one instruction at a time so the person can feel a sense of achievement, no matter what he may or may not accomplish when the task is done. You can help a person with dementia by laying out their clothes each day so they don't have to make this decision; provide them with finger foods if they eating coordination problems; choose a simple hairstyle.

Use reminders
Put notes on the fridge; pictures can be used if the person no longer understands words. Lay the toothbrush out to remind then to brush their teeth; remind them to go to the bathroom if they are capable.