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A Day in Their Shoes: Designing a Dementia-Friendly Daily Routine
For someone living with dementia, the world can feel disorienting, even overwhelming.
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Written by
Tyler Zanini, Founder at Memoryboard
But a consistent, predictable routine can provide a deep sense of comfort and control. It helps reduce anxiety, improve sleep, and support memory by reinforcing patterns and expectations.
In this post, we’ll walk you through a sample day tailored to the needs of someone with memory loss. Along the way, we’ll share ways you can use Memoryboard to help guide each part of the day with calm, clarity, and connection.
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Why Routines Matter in Dementia Care
Reduce confusion and decision fatigue by eliminating guesswork.
Reinforce time orientation (what time it is, what comes next).
Encourage independence with repeated, familiar tasks.
Provide stability during moments of memory fog or frustration.
And importantly, routines can benefit caregivers too, making the day more manageable and reducing stress.
A Sample Dementia-Friendly Day
8:00 AM – Wake Up & Morning Orientation
Start the day with gentle cues to create a sense of time and place.
Memoryboard reminder:
🟢 “Good morning! Today is Wednesday. Let’s start the day with breakfast and a smile.”
Tips:
Open curtains to let in natural light.
Play soft music or calming nature sounds.
Place familiar items (glasses, slippers, water) within reach.
9:00 AM – Breakfast & Medications
Meals are an ideal anchor point in the day. Keep them consistent in timing and location.
Memoryboard reminder:
🟢 “Breakfast is ready! Don’t forget your morning medication.”
Tips:
Use contrasting colors for plates and tableware to help with vision.
Avoid distractions (turn off the TV) and offer a choice between two familiar options.
10:00 AM – Light Activity or Exercise
Staying physically active, however gently, can boost mood and cognition.
Ideas:
Chair stretches or short walks.
Gardening or watering plants.
Fold laundry or sort objects by color.
Memoryboard reminder:
🟢 “Let’s move! Time for a little stretching or a short walk outside.”
11:00 AM – Music or Memory Time
Use this quiet block to engage emotionally and cognitively.
Memoryboard idea:
🟢 “Photo time! Look at today’s photo from your trip to the beach.”
🟢 “Music break: Play your favorite songs from the 1960s.”
Tips:
Display one familiar photo on Memoryboard each morning.
Pair with a playlist or sing-along session.
12:00 PM – Lunch
Keep lunch simple, consistent, and calm.
Memoryboard reminder:
🟢 “Time for lunch. Turkey sandwich and apples today!”
Tips:
Avoid overwhelming the plate with too many options.
Sit together and eat slowly—meals can be social time too.
1:00 PM – Rest or Quiet Time
Many people with dementia experience fatigue in the early afternoon.
Ideas:
Short nap in a quiet, familiar space.
Soft music or white noise.
Dim lights and close blinds.
Memoryboard reminder:
🟢 “Time to relax. Rest in your chair or take a nap if you’d like.”
2:30 PM – Creative or Sensory Activity
Afternoons are great for tactile, hands-on activities.
Ideas:
Folding towels or organizing drawers.
Painting or coloring.
Scented hand lotions or textured blankets for sensory comfort.
Memoryboard reminder:
🟢 “Let’s be creative! Painting, puzzles, or anything you enjoy.”
4:00 PM – Afternoon Snack & Connection
Use this time to reconnect and refuel.
Memoryboard idea:
🟢 “Snack time! Apples and peanut butter today.”
🟢 “Call with Emily at 4:30.”
Tips:
Offer hydration reminders throughout the day.
Include short video calls or photo messages from family.
6:00 PM – Dinner
Keep dinner earlier in the evening to help with sleep and reduce evening confusion (“sundowning”).
Memoryboard reminder:
🟢 “Dinner is served. Baked chicken and veggies tonight!”
7:00 PM – Wind Down with Familiar Cues
Reduce stimulation as bedtime approaches.
Ideas:
Listen to quiet music or read aloud.
Dim lights and turn off electronics.
Display evening photo or reminder to prepare for bed.
Memoryboard reminder:
🟢 “Let’s get ready for bed. Brush teeth, change into pajamas, and relax.”
8:00 PM – Bedtime Routine
A consistent, gentle routine helps ease anxiety and prepare the brain for rest.
Tips:
Use soft lighting and quiet voices.
Avoid caffeine or screen time.
Consider a memory cue like “Today was a good day.”
Final Thoughts
Designing a dementia-friendly day doesn’t mean scheduling every minute. It’s about creating a rhythm—a gentle flow that supports comfort, familiarity, and independence.
Memoryboard helps bring that rhythm to life with visual cues, personalized reminders, and meaningful moments shared by loved ones. It’s not just about keeping track of the day. It’s about making each day feel a little easier, a little calmer, and a lot more connected.
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