:You have a great article about routine, When I think of routine, I also think of time and how so many people look at it and use it! I am an Activity Aide in a residential facility. All the people that live there are retired, are not going to school at this time, do not have to pick-up kids at school, run errands, attend a million committee meetings, etc., but they are so stuck on things starting on the dot for a program or expect immediately to be taken when they go to an appointment. Watching the clock and discussing what other peoplel's watches say have become a constant need. If an activity was to start one or two minutes late there are a few that moan and complain about the minute amount of minutes late we may start. I try to get them to be more flexible and look at the bright side hen we might run a speck late..first of all I tell that they don't have to worry about time constraints, They don't have a job, a class, or a doctor's appointment they are on their way to, at their age especially, they have earned the right to slow down and not rush throught life, Starting a couple minutes late means they get to socialize with each other longer, tthey have the opportunity to take time to get to the Activity Room, get comfortable and settle in. Late comers that may be a bit slower to get to the activity don't have to feel uncomfortable when people glare at them or make comments abvout being late! This all drives me crazy.
Why do people think it's such a bad thing to be impulsive, most times the things we do impulsively are things we want to do, and when we do these things they are often the most pleasurable. When I find out about something good going on close to the the facility last minute, I can manage to fill a bus and go, these times have proven to be some of the best! When i take the residents out on the bus I try to travel one route going to our destination and another one coming back! I tell them to try to use their opposite hand sometimes when theiy're eating, brushing their teeth or brushiung their hair . Breaking rountine also means giving the brain an opportunity to get some exercise!

If anyone knows of a poem about our elders not having to stick so close to a clock and time, I'd love to post it in my Activity Room. Thanks!