For a patient, a daily routine introduces familiarity into their everyday lives. In a way, this creates a level of expectation where they will be mentally prepared for their day
ahead. As a carer, you will be responsible for the daily routine, setting it up in such a way that it is convenient and easy for them to adapt without tiring them out completely and keeping them both physically and mentally stimulated.
In a care home setting, usually this is handled in a way where there are certain facilities within the care home where they can partake in. However, in a Home care/Domiciliary care setting, it will be up to the carer to set these up to help the patient. And that may call for ways one may not have considered. Here are some ways to achieve this.
Social interactions are one of the best ways to help the patient stimulate their minds. Family and Friend visits help with keeping their moods up, while community involvement such as getting involved in clubs and events will allow the patient to have some physical and mental stimulation on a regular basis. At the same time, if the patient feels rather something heavy weighing down on them, you can seek out some counseling and support groups to assist them, which helps improve their emotional state.
Pet involvement in their recovery is a great step into keeping them both mentally and physically stimulated as well. Having a pet means that something would have to depend on the patient, and this gives them a sense of purpose by having a responsibility. Having a pet requires doing physical activities such as feeding them, or taking them out for a walk. This also introduces a sense of routine for the patient.
Typically, cooking and preparing meals is a job done by the carer, keeping in mind what the patient is fit to eat. As a carer, you can involve the patient in meal preparation. This would also help them establish a routine while also keeping them in the know of their dietary situation, what they can or cannot eat.
These are only some ways of keeping life engaging for domiciliary care patients. There are also multiple other ways for a carer to keep their patient engaged, which will drastically improve their situation in ways more than one.