Daily Structure Helps Decrease and Eliminate Behaviors

A structured, predictable environment helps relieve anxiety commonly known to trigger behavior issues in the memory impaired. Even in the home, a daily activity structure should be planned to help your family member better understand and relate to their environment.

Persons with a memory-impairing illness "live in the moment". They often have pent-up energy from inactivity. Their self-esteem is often damaged as they begin to experience the increased difficulties of daily tasks and their memory becomes further impaired. Having a predictable environment helps them understand their confusing world. There is a comfort in the familar. Offering them a day "without any surprises" is the best way to help them expend energy, relieve anxiety and avoid verbal and physical behaviors.

Remember - it isn't the outcome that is important - it's the process. In other words - if your family member is matching socks for you - but they fold a white sock with a black sock, do not correct them. The fact that they are completing the task at hand is what's important. They feel that they are helping you - which makes them feel good about themselves.

Use the following suggestions to set up a predictable, structured environment for your family member:

> Baths or showers should be on the same days of the week - around the same time of the day. For example: If your family member seems to accept a shower before breakfast, then try and keep that schedule for that task.

> After breakfast and dressing - encourage them to do the dishes for you. (Even if you have a dishwasher, save the plastic cups, spoons, pans.. for your family member.) After the dishes, offer them coffee or juice. Next ask them to do another task such as sorting socks, sweeping the floor, wiping the table... and when that task is complete, offer them another drink and a snack. The next task could be separating the silverware (mix them up in the tray before and without them seeing you do so)... and so on. Remember to give them "breaks" in between tasks so they feel relaxed while working.

Whatever is familiar and within their ability level is acceptable. Many times wives will say "He never did the laundry before he became sick, but now he'll fold towels all day long!" It is simply driven by the desire to be useful and helpful to the family. All of us want to be needed and appreciated. Creating an environment that is encouraging, familiar and a place where our loved ones feel needed is the best way to prevent anxiety.

The WNY Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association has a lending library with a variety of resources available to the community. (716) 626-0600

For more information about ElderWood Senior Care's Memory Care Programs and Services, please contact us at (716) 633-3900.