Printable dementia care log
A printable dementia care log: one page per week to track meals, medication reminders, sleep, mood and changes, so everyone caring for your loved one sees the same picture.
A dementia care log is a simple daily record of meals, fluids, medication reminders, sleep, mood, bathroom patterns and any changes. Our free printable covers one week per page. Families use it to share care between helpers and to show doctors clear patterns instead of relying on memory. Print it below; no sign-up needed.
Why keep a daily log
Dementia changes slowly, then sometimes all at once.
A log turns fuzzy impressions (“she’s been off lately”) into facts a doctor can use (“she refused dinner four nights out of seven and woke three times a night”). It also keeps everyone on the same page when care is shared between a spouse, adult children, neighbors and a paid companion.
Print one page per week. Keep it on the fridge or in a folder by the medication organizer, with a pen tied to it.
Weekly dementia care log
Name: ______________________ Week of: ______________ Filled in by: ______________________
| Day / date | Meals & fluids | Medication reminders (taken? refused?) | Sleep (night & naps) | Mood & behavior | Bathroom | Notes / changes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon | ||||||
| Tue | ||||||
| Wed | ||||||
| Thu | ||||||
| Fri | ||||||
| Sat | ||||||
| Sun |
Doctor / nurse to call with concerns: ______________________ Phone: ______________________
How to fill it in
A few words per box is plenty.
- Meals and fluids: a quick note is enough, like “ate half of lunch, 3 glasses water.” Florida heat makes fluids worth tracking closely.
- Medication reminders: record whether a reminder was given and whether the dose was taken or refused. A log is not a substitute for the instructions from the prescriber or pharmacist.
- Sleep: bedtime, wake-ups during the night, and daytime naps.
The last three columns:
- Mood and behavior: note the time of day for anything new, such as agitation, tearfulness or pacing. Patterns around late afternoon may point to sundowning.
- Bathroom: changes in frequency, accidents, or signs of discomfort. A sudden change can be a sign of a urinary tract infection.
- Notes: falls, near-misses, new words or lost skills, visitors, anything that seemed to help.
What to watch for
Bring the last two to four weeks of logs to each doctor visit.
Call the doctor promptly if you notice sudden confusion over hours or days, a fall, a fever, refusing food or fluids for more than a day, or trouble swallowing. Sudden change can signal delirium or infection; see spotting UTIs, infections and delirium and the glossary entries on delirium and dysphagia.
What a filled-in dementia care log looks like
Short notes are enough. Here is part of one family’s week:
| Day | Meals & fluids | Sleep | Mood & behavior |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mon | Ate well; 4 glasses water | Up once at 2 a.m. | Calm; enjoyed music |
| Tue | Half of lunch; 2 glasses | Up three times | Restless from 4 p.m. |
| Wed | Refused dinner | Napped 3 hours | Very sleepy, mixed up about the day |
Read down the columns and a pattern appears: less to drink, worse sleep, then sudden drowsiness and confusion. That combination is worth a same-day call to the doctor.
Changes worth flagging the same day
Mayo Clinic describes delirium as a sudden change that develops over hours to days. It can look like restlessness and agitation, or the opposite: unusual sleepiness and withdrawal. Infections such as urinary tract infections, medicine changes and dehydration are common causes. Use the log to show the doctor exactly when the change began.
Using the log at different stages
Early on, the log may be mostly blank except for missed medicines or bills. The Alzheimer’s Association describes the middle stage, usually the longest, as the time when sleep shifts and bladder or bowel control can change, so the sleep and bathroom columns matter most then. In the late stage, when your loved one may find it hard to say they are in pain, the notes column becomes the place to record grimacing, guarding or refusing food.
Using the log with other help
If your loved one has a companion from Dementia Companions, you’ll also get a brief note after every visit. Many families clip those notes to the log so everything is in one place. The log pairs well with the daily routine planner and the hospital information sheet. For families coordinating from out of state, see help for long-distance families.
Want someone else filling in the log?
A consistent companion can keep the routine and send a note after every visit. See 3-5 matched profiles within 48 hours.
Frequently asked questions
Still have questions?
Talk it through with us. A free call about your family's situation, with no obligation.
Call (689) 333-6079Send us a message- Screened for dementia care experience
- Florida ADRD training before the first visit
What should I write in a dementia care log?
Short notes on meals and fluids, whether medication reminders were followed, sleep and naps, mood and behavior with the time of day, bathroom changes, and anything new such as falls or lost skills.
How long should I keep the logs?
Keep at least the last few months in a folder. Bring the most recent two to four weeks to each doctor appointment.
Can a companion fill in the log?
Yes. A Dementia Companions companion can add notes during visits, and you also receive a brief note after each visit.
Is there a digital version?
This template is designed for paper. You can also print to PDF from your browser and fill it in with a PDF editor.
What does it mean when dementia suddenly gets worse?
A sudden change over hours to days can be delirium, which Mayo Clinic says can look like restlessness and agitation, or the opposite: unusual sleepiness and withdrawal. Infections such as urinary tract infections, medicine changes and dehydration are common causes. Call the doctor promptly for sudden confusion, a fall, a fever, refusing food or fluids for more than a day, or trouble swallowing, and use the log to show exactly when the change began. See spotting UTIs, infections and delirium.
Don't see your question? Call (689) 333-6079 or send us a message.