Helpful Tips for Being an Organized Dementia Caregiver

Juggling the needs of a loved one with dementia can be overwhelming at times. While there’s no magic formula that makes caregiving easy, staying organized can help you prepare for challenges, prioritize tasks and reduce stress.

Try these organizing tips for dementia caregivers:

Establish a Routine

A daily routine can benefit both you and your loved one. Knowing what to expect gives you a brief respite from planning and decision-making. Plus, you might enjoy a pleasant sense of anticipation as you look forward to your favorite parts of the day. Your loved one will benefit from the familiar structure, which can ease anxiety and reduce challenging behaviors in people with dementia.
When possible, let your loved one’s natural rhythms shape the routine. Do they prefer to eat breakfast before they get dressed for their day or after? Is there a certain time of day they like to eat a snack or go for a walk?

Make a Healthcare Binder

Use a binder to collect and organize important information related to your loved one’s healthcare providers, medications, and treatment plans. As with any of these tips for dementia caregivers, you can tailor this plan to your own style and preference, but here’s a basic outline for creating a healthcare binder:

• Gather supplies. You’ll need a binder and loose-leaf paper.
• Collect information. You’ll want a list of your loved one’s medications with doses and prescribing providers; paperwork related to their advance directive or power of attorney; and contact information for doctors, lawyers, family members, backup caregivers, clergy, friends, and others who play a significant role in your loved one’s life. Tuck this information in the front or back pockets of your binder.
• List diagnoses. On the first page of the binder, list each condition your loved one has been diagnosed with and the provider who handles their treatment.
• Create a page for each provider. List the provider’s name, contact information and specialty at the top of a page, using a separate paper for each provider. When you go to an appointment with your loved one, bring your binder and make notes on the appropriate page regarding key points covered during the visit. If you receive handouts, those can be added to the binder as well.
• Include other helpful information. Adding lists of allergies, food preferences, new behaviors, or favorite activities will make this binder a helpful resource for both you and other caregivers.

Prepare for Emergencies

Taking to heart the Boy Scout motto “Be Prepared” can help you cope with crises, whether your loved one has a health emergency or you’re sidelined by the unexpected. In addition to keeping the healthcare binder up to date, emergency preparedness might entail:

• Keeping a bag packed for your loved one, with supplies and instructions in case a back-up caregiver needs to step in for you.
• Stocking up on supplies—including medical supplies and household supplies like a first aid kit and batteries.
• Working with family and friends to organize a support network if you need help unexpectedly.

Keep a Calendar

When you’re juggling your loved one’s appointments and activities—and your own—having an up-to-date calendar can help you remember important dates and manage your time effectively. In addition to events like medical appointments and haircuts, block off time for routine chores, such as grocery shopping. Having an accurate picture of each day’s tasks, and how much time they take, will help you avoid overscheduling. Make sure to include time for self-care, too. Giving yourself regular breaks will help you avoid caregiver burnout.

Caregiver Support at Artis Senior Living

If you’re navigating the caregiving journey, you don’t have to do it alone. Artis Senior Living provides education and support for dementia caregivers that can help you cope with your loved one’s changing needs and find the best care options. Find helpful tips for dementia caregivers by exploring our caregiver support resources or attending an event for caregivers. Or contact us to learn more about our Assisted Living and Memory Care communities and our compassionate, individualized approach to dementia care.