****not meant to replace Doctor’s orders or Speech, Occupational, or Physical therapies. Those come first!

****Hydration and oxygen can often cause or intensify confusion; be sure to regularly hydrate both patients and caregivers, regularly check oxygen, and rest if needed.

**** If you are currently an active older adult or the child of one, it could benefit to start incorporating some of these into your daily life and relationship prior to any incident. This could assist in creating more seamless transitions post-incident.

****primarily designed to support and encourage a spouse, adult child, or other family…someone that will be with the person daily. If family works with a paid caregiver, this is a great tool for them to decipher which activities the family would enjoy doing and which the caregiver can utilize to enhance quality of life.

When a diagnosis settles over a home, it can seem to touch every aspect of life. As a caregiver or loved one, it can be quite challenging to survive all the new responsibilities much less be creative and add in some fun. This framework will hopefully be a tool to peel back the corners and prompt some joyful moments each day to lift everyone’s spirits. Think of it as a scaffold to help your normally creative brain during a clouded season of life. It is simply an order of activity to stimulate both the brains of the caregiver and the one receiving care. It also will likely reduce boredom and increase connection! The schedule does consider “sun-downing” but different people function better at different times of day so adjust according to the person. Please don’t let this plan stress you and add pressure to do everything listed. It is meant to usher in some smiles…use what you like, ignore the rest, and brainstorm your own substitutions as the fog clears. Some of these ideas may be useful if people are asking to help or if other family members (i.e. grandchildren) are needing assistance processing the illness or decreasing feelings of awkwardness around someone who used to feel so familiar.

This is just a snapshot of the Daily Dozen Resource.

To request a more detailed download, click here & put “Daily Dozen request” in the comments section.

1. Prep Your Own Spiritual , Emotional and Mental State each morning. Anticipate seeing your loved one before you see them. Think of one favorite concept they have introduced to your life right before you enter their space.

2. Wake them for Water and Breakfast. (smile at them- a “preoccupied face” can come across as a mad face. They will automatically “reflect” your face with mirror neurons in the brain and then you two may be headed for conflict).

Hydrate even if they say they are not hungry. Dehydration can increase confusion and can often be misdiagnosed as something more major, but cognitive deficit can cause someone to forget they were thirsty- it can become vicious cycle. Smaller, sturdy cups are also less intimidating than large water bottles. Share a “toast” (and added prayer of thanks to God) for each other using small Dixie cup, medicine cup, or even plastic shot glass of water. Toast and pray between each activity throughout the day (thankful for day, movement, laughter, meals, rest, prayer, memories, meals, and entertainment) Thanks and water are good for the soul!

Use “respect” and “love” greetings. Key thought: “I respect how you tackle the morning/ gently approach the morning/ are cautious with new information.” or “Thanks for smiling at me!”

3. Link them to the environment, the present time, and to you. Connect with how they feel rather than diving into the day’s “to-do’s”. Calendars, white boards, journals, and get-to-know questions are great for this. Also taking a tour of the kitchen or room is good if they feel disoriented (even if you have to do this daily or multiple times in the day).

4. Active movement. Dress & self-care; then dance, walk, Occupational and or Physical Therapy “homework” or stretch if dressing doesn’t exhaust them. Ankle mobility exercises can be done seated and can be beneficial for stability as well as for possibly decreasing knee and hip discomfort. Neck stretches, shoulder rolls and arm lifts can be done in seated position.

5. Daily Laughter; begin with a joke. Google jokes that relate to their interests or former occupation. Then fun activity. Consider their personal temperament when determining “fun”. Detailed examples are provided in the download. Add in any cognitive exercises from Speech-Language Therapist.

6. Lunch & Hydrate (try to give them 2 choices; this stimulates their brain, giving them some control but does not overwhelm them with too much information)

7.Restful activity (i.e. Book, Podcast, Nap, Music, Hand massage, Crafting, Rocking chair, bird watching-live or online at www.cams.allaboutbirds.org)

8.Purposeful Task. (once again two choices for their involvement). Daily chore (examples in download) or care of plant or animal. Intercession- do not underestimate the powerful prayers of those with affected physical abilities or even memories/ communication. I have known many who couldn’t call you by name when seeing your face but they would remember to pray for you consistently if given time and space. If prayer intimidates them, check out prayer sheet resources from www.momsinprayer.org and encourage them to pray over the schools in your area.

9. Link memory of date with favorite object or picture from the day in previous years.

10. Journal (written or audio) some things to remember from the present day next year. If there is an appointment that day (i.e. doctor, going to library, walk in garden) ask about favorite/funniest experience in the past doing that. Jot down and use it to reminisce with them later.

11. Supper (remember 2 choices gives them some participation without overwhelming)

12. Evening fun. Can be scheduled by the day or earlier in the day to provide anticipation but they can also choose from 2 choices again. (i.e. TV, shared reading of one chapter of a good book, decaf tea-time snack, yogurt and graham cracker picnic inside or out, star gazing, and one question from the Q and U app)