Care Techniques
Introduction: Appreciating the Value of Shared Time
There are moments in life when we feel the usual flow slow down or take on a completely new shape. Taking on the care of a family member diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Lewy body dementia, or another type of cognitive impairment is exactly such a turning point. In this journey, which is sometimes filled with anxiety and fatigue, and at other times love and solidarity, as a caregiver, you feel the importance of daily organization and quality time spent together much more keenly. Sharing caregiving responsibilities increases the quality of life for both the person living with dementia and the caregivers themselves. At this point, creating a shared calendar not only makes tasks easier to manage, but also strengthens our sense of belonging, togetherness, and security.
What Is a Shared Calendar?
Put simply, a shared calendar is a schedule accessible to everyone involved in providing care to a loved one with dementia. It includes the division of duties and responsibilities among caregivers. This can be a traditional wall calendar, a notebook, a digital application, or an online platform that can be accessed collectively. The aim is clear: All caregivers can track duties, participate in planning, and prevent possible setbacks.
The Role of Time Management in Dementia Care
The needs of people with dementia change over time. Basic daily activities, medication schedules, routine doctor visits, exercise, or nutrition are often overseen by more than one person. Moreover, small mistakes in timing can sometimes have significant negative impacts on the patient’s balance, comfort, and safety. Research shows that effective time management within the caregiving process reduces the burden of care and significantly lowers stress levels (Alzheimer’s Association, 2021).
The Scientific Basis for Creating a Shared Calendar
Reducing Uncertainty: For most family members, dementia means struggling with the anxiety and stress of uncertainty. Scientific studies show that transparent and predictable scheduling processes have positive effects on caregivers’ mental health (Brodaty & Donkin, 2009).
Medication Adherence and Medical Monitoring: According to the Alzheimer’s Association in the U.S., shared calendars increase medication adherence by up to 30% among people with dementia who are often challenged in taking their medicines consistently.
Social Sharing and Distribution of Responsibility: Sharing responsibilities among family and friends, rather than leaving them to a single person, not only reduces the risk of caregiver burnout but also strengthens relationships.
Contributions of a Calendar to Daily Life
A shared calendar is not just a "to-do list." It is also how a family brings meaning to seasons and days together, organizing life and regaining a sense of control.
Maintaining Routines: Routine and repetition are crucial for people with dementia. Doing activities such as meal times, walks, bathing, and medication in order and with familiar faces increases a sense of security for the person living with dementia.
Increasing Harmony Among Caregivers: Seeing on the calendar who will take your mother for a walk, when your father will take a bath, or which week your brother will bring milk and bread helps reduce both confusion about duties and the worry of forgetting something.
Being Prepared for Emergencies: When something unexpected happens (such as a sudden doctor visit or seizure), the calendar allows those involved to coordinate quickly, helping both the person being cared for and the caregiving team manage the situation more easily.
Small Joys and Celebrations: Adding simple events like birthdays, anniversaries, or "tea time together" to the calendar brings value to togetherness and helps build shared memories.
Important Considerations When Creating a Calendar
Easy Access: Choose a method accessible to all caregivers. Digital platforms are very handy for family members living far away. If older adults are less comfortable with technology, classic paper calendars can also be useful.
Flexibility: Overly rigid plans may backfire. Including "modifiable" and flexible slots in the calendar provides comfort during unexpected changes.
Feedback: Holding regular family meetings (virtually or face-to-face) allows you to review calendar challenges, needs, and shifting priorities.
Involvement of the Person Living with Dementia: Depending on the level of dementia, involving the person in the process (such as letting them decide on simple activities) can strengthen their sense of empowerment.
Psychosocial Benefits: Not Just Practical, Also Emotional Solidarity
Sometimes, the main weight in the caregiving process is not about "sharing responsibilities," but about dealing with feelings of guilt or loneliness. A shared calendar can provide support in the following areas:
Shared Responsibilities, Less Loneliness: The feeling of “I’m the only one doing this” is reduced, as other family members also become part of the process.
Transparent Communication: Misunderstandings are prevented. Instead of “Why weren’t you there that day?” it’s “I took care of this, would you like to handle that?”—fostering real solidarity.
Strong Family Bonds: Planning and recalling time spent together increases emotional resilience within the family.
Not Overlooking Your Own Needs: Some caregivers neglect taking time for themselves. Scheduling “me time” into the calendar helps prevent caregiver burnout.
Care Partner and Calendar: A Practical Example
Imagine a family handling a heavy care load: one person is responsible for medication, another for meals, and someone else for doctor’s appointments. Even with everyone doing their best, there is always the anxiety that “someone will forget something.” The family creates a large handwritten wall calendar. Each morning, all tasks for the day are listed in order, and as each task is completed it is crossed off or checked.
After a while, tasks start to rotate. The load is noticeably lighter. As caregivers begin to schedule in their own small requests (a walk, a coffee break), burnout decreases. It's also noticed that the person living with dementia feels more at peace among familiar faces and consistent routines.
Coping with the Challenges of Dementia: What Can a Calendar Provide?
Challenge | Benefits Provided by a Calendar |
|---|---|
Forgetfulness and confusion | Visible routines prevent confusion and foster a sense of security. |
Unequal distribution of responsibilities | Sharing duties balances the load and reduces conflicts or resentments. |
Lack of preparedness for emergencies | Emergency task lists, contact information, and the ability to shift duties as needed. |
Social isolation | Planned and shared social activities increase the sense of connection. |
Essential Reminders
Every caregiving journey is unique: Don’t hesitate to adapt shared calendar models to fit your own family’s routines and habits.
Sometimes mishaps, missed events, or changed plans are "just part of being human." Accept them as natural.
Every seemingly ordinary new day actually holds small moments of joy, peace, and pride from living together.
"A calendar hanging on the wall shows not only the past or the future, but the value of the moments we share together."
Conclusion: Weaving Time Together
Providing care is not, and should not be, a process that falls to one person alone. A shared calendar can make this journey—woven with solidarity, sharing, and love—more peaceful and safe. Be transparent and gentle with yourself and your family about your expectations. By taking the step to create a shared calendar, you pave a simple and powerful way to share both responsibilities and life itself.
Resources
Alzheimer’s Association. (2021). Caring for a Person with Alzheimer’s Disease.
Brodaty, H., & Donkin, M. (2009). Family caregivers of people with dementia. Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience, 11(2), 217-228.
World Health Organization. (2017). Dementia: A Public Health Priority.
Bir Sonraki Okuma
