The stimulation of fresh ideas can have positive effects, but too much change in her life can be confusing and disorienting. Familiarity is very important to someone with Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia. The stress of having to cope with sudden or significant change can make symptoms worse. (Note: Stress doesn't cause Alzheimer's, but it has been shown to worsen symptoms in those already affected.)
What you can do:
Try to give her day a regular rhythm, with meals, sleep, outings, and bathing happening at about the same times each day. Schedule all doctors' appointments at roughly the same time if you can, such as first thing in the morning or right after lunch. It's not unlike the way a new parent organizes the day around a baby's sleep-wake cycle.
The catch with routines:
A good routine is one that's healthy to begin with. Examples of negative routines worth trying to change: If she's staying awake later and later and rising later, or if she's dropped all former social connections and rarely sees anyone.
