7 Simple Tips for Creating a Calming Daily Routine for a Loved One with Dementia
Submitted by –
By Tyler Zanini,
Co-founder at Memoryboard
When caring for a loved one with memory loss, dementia, or Alzheimer’s, one of the most powerful tools at your disposal is a simple, consistent daily routine.
When caring for a loved one with memory loss, dementia, or Alzheimer’s, one of the most powerful tools at your disposal is a simple, consistent daily routine. Routine provides structure, reduces anxiety, and brings a sense of familiarity to an otherwise confusing world. It’s not about strict scheduling or perfection—it’s about creating comforting rhythms that gently guide each day.
Here are seven practical tips to help you build a routine that works for you and your loved one.
1. Start the Day the Same Way
The way a day begins sets the emotional tone for everything that follows. For someone living with dementia, consistency in the morning can reduce disorientation and create a calm, reassuring start. Try using the same morning ritual daily: open the curtains to let in natural light, share a simple greeting like “Good morning, it’s time to start the day,” and ease into breakfast or hygiene routines.
These small cues signal that the day is beginning and offer a sense of continuity from one morning to the next. Even if sleep patterns vary, gently guiding your loved one back into a steady rhythm helps create emotional stability.
2. Keep Meals on a Schedule
Mealtimes are a natural anchor for the day, helping break it into manageable chunks and creating familiarity. When meals are served around the same time each day, it can reduce agitation and support healthy digestion. Your loved one may be unable to tell time consistently, but their body can still respond to regular patterns.
Keep meals simple, nourishing, and familiar. Sit together, avoid rushing, and use these times to connect—conversation, smiles, or even silence can offer a grounding presence. If your loved one struggles with appetite or food confusion, consider offering smaller, more frequent meals or incorporating finger foods that are easy to manage.
3. Create Time for Meaningful Activity
A calm routine doesn’t mean an inactive one. Small, familiar tasks can give your loved one a sense of purpose and satisfaction. These activities don’t need to be complex—they can include folding laundry, watering plants, listening to music, or flipping through old photo albums.
The key is choosing things that feel familiar and manageable. You might notice certain times of day when your loved one is more alert or engaged—schedule activities during those windows. Don’t worry about the outcome of the task; what matters most is the process and the moment of connection it provides.
4. Plan for Rest Periods
Fatigue and overstimulation are common in dementia, and too much activity—even when it’s enjoyable—can lead to frustration or confusion. That’s why building in moments of quiet rest throughout the day is essential. This could be as simple as sitting in a favorite chair with a blanket, listening to gentle music, or watching birds out the window.
Try to schedule rest after meals or busy periods. Dim the lights, reduce noise, and offer comfort without expectation. These restful moments help reset the nervous system and prevent meltdowns or emotional fatigue later in the day.
5. Use Visual or Verbal Cues
Transitions between parts of the day can be difficult for someone with dementia. Clear, kind, spoken, and visual prompts can help guide your loved one smoothly from one activity to the next. This could include a written schedule on a whiteboard, a printed checklist, or simply repeating short, reassuring instructions.
Technology can also help. Tools like Memoryboard allow family members to send personalized messages, reminders, or prompts directly to a screen in the home. Whether it’s a gentle note saying “It’s time for lunch” or a loving message like “Thinking of you,” these cues provide reassurance and structure, even when you can’t be there in person.
6. Keep Evenings Calm and Predictable
Evenings can be a sensitive time for people with dementia. As the day winds down, confusion or agitation can increase—a phenomenon often called “sundowning.” To ease this, it helps to keep evening routines quiet and low-key.
Turn off loud or overly stimulating media, avoid caffeine or sugary snacks late in the day, and begin a gentle wind-down routine around the same time each night. This might include turning down the lights, playing soft music, reading together, or simply sitting quietly. A short, familiar bedtime routine—like brushing teeth, changing into pajamas, and hearing a comforting phrase—can help signal that it’s time for sleep.
7. Be Flexible and Forgive Disruptions
While routines are valuable, rigidity can create stress for you and your loved one. Some days, things won’t go as planned. Moods may shift. Energy may drop. What worked yesterday may not work today. And that’s okay.
Approach each day with flexibility and grace. If a scheduled activity isn’t working, let it go and move on. If you’re running behind, reassure your loved one calmly. Above all, remember that your presence and attitude matter more than the schedule. A calm, compassionate response in the face of disruption helps your loved one feel safe and supported.
Final Thought
Daily routines offer more than structure—they create an emotional foundation that can bring calm, confidence, and connection into each day. It’s one of the simplest yet most powerful ways to care for someone living with dementia.
Looking for tools to help support a calm routine, even when you’re not nearby? Memoryboard can display messages, reminders, and daily structure, offering peace of mind for both you and your loved one.
You don’t have to do this alone. One steady step at a time is enough.
By Tyler Zanini, C0-founder of Memoryboard
Tyler Zanini is the co-founder of Memoryboard. With a background in healthcare innovation and entrepreneurship, Tyler created Memoryboard alongside his father-in-law, David, after their personal experiences caring for loved ones with memory loss. Together, they’re on a mission to help families and their loved ones stay connected. Check out Memoryboard, or contact Tyler via email.
