One of the results of Alzheimer's disease is that the person is unable to plan how to spend her time. She is also unlikely to initiate activities and reach out to friends or family. She often spends much of the day napping and pacing, which results in what others would judge to be an "empty day." She may also forget to have meals, toilet herself, and conduct other routine activities. That is why it is important for you to set up a plan for day-to-day activities that can be followed on a regular basis. In time, the person will become familiar with the routine you have set up, and will feel reassured by knowing what to expect. When you need to change the plan, for special occasions or unusual occurrences, try to go back to the regular routine as soon as possible. In the early stage of AD, people may need to have activities suggested to them, and be reminded to take medications on schedule and to keep important appointments. In the middle stage, a more formal structure should be established by the caregiver. In the late stage, the routine will have to be modified to take into account the person's declining functional abilities, remembering the remaining strengths.