Most of us have busy schedules in our daily lives. Going to work, raising kids, keeping the house clean, paying bills, etc. Keeping track of all the responsibilities of our daily lives can be challenging and difficult, especially when unplanned things happen. A flat tire can ruin anyone’s day, but a flat tire on the way to an appointment is even worse. One of the best ways to stay on top of all our responsibilities and things we must do during the day and during the weeks and months is keeping a schedule. Especially for Elders, having a schedule to refer to can make life much easier and less stressful.
As we get older, our memory and quick-thinking skills may fade with time. The ability to improvise a solution to something you may have forgotten about earlier gets less potent over time. For example, forgetting to pick up milk at the store can be solved by having a spouse or an older child pick some up. But for older people, who may live alone, forgetting something can often mean going without it for a while. Having and keeping a schedule can help offset some of the mental workload of keeping track of everything, and can make life much easier, especially for Elder persons. Below are a few different things keeping a schedule can help with.
Appointments
We all know the reality of getting older, and the increased number of appointments, health or otherwise, that we need to keep track of. Work meetings, appointments at the bank, support groups, and doctors’ appointments all cram themselves into our already busy lives. Having a schedule to keep track of these important events can make a big difference in our stress levels. For Elders especially, who already may have a full schedule or may not be as “sharp” as they were when younger, having a set, written schedule can make a big difference. Even something as simple as a calendar on the fridge where appointments and times are written down can have a great benefit.
Prescriptions
Unlike our bodies in our younger years, when a glass of water and a piece of toast was often all we needed to get outside and play with our friends, we often need a little bit more to stay healthy during our day. This includes healthy meals, vitamins, and especially prescriptions. Especially with multiple medications, it can be overwhelming to remember all the different meds we need throughout the day, when to take them, and how to take them. One of the simplest ways to keep track is to use a pill dispenser, which marks the days of the week on small compartments. Once a week, dispense all the meds you or your elder relative would need, and you can rely on it for 7 days. The most important thing is having a system in place.
Life Events
As we get older, we may lose touch with some of our friends and relatives just from the reality of aging out of the workplace or moving to a different location such as a retirement community. When you don’t get as much face-to-face contact with your friends and family, you lose the minor reminder of important events that would trigger you to remember “oh it’s so-and-so’s birthday this month!” Having a schedule or a calendar to keep track of these important days can make a big difference in the overall well-being and happiness of an elder person. Remembering important events such as birthdays and graduations is an important part of feeling connected with friends and family and having a schedule or calendar as a reminder of these important dates can help elders feel closer and less isolated from their peers and families.
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