| There's nothing like sundowning to make caregivers | | | | becoming calm again at about 5pm -- just in time for |
| feel crazy. And, they aren't any better in care | | | | early dinner. Her sundowning involves weeping |
| facilities either. They deal just as badly or just as well | | | | insistence on seeing her mother. She berates her |
| with sundowning as you do at home. | | | | caregiver, sometimes she paces. |
| However, you can make a plan that works to reduce | | | | How could a caregiver help Mildred? |
| and even stop sundowning, or at least avoid it being | | | | 1. Ensure that Mildred has an after-lunch snack and |
| a nuisance. Try it. It works. | | | | drinks juice and water about an hour before |
| First, we have to be sure we are really dealing with | | | | sundowning begins; |
| sundowning. Normal sundowning is a period of | | | | 2. Calm the environment itself by diffusing pure |
| emotional agitation. typically lasting for a couple of | | | | essential oil of lavender throughout the afternoon. |
| hours and usually beginning towards the end of the | | | | This is notably successful in care units, failing only |
| afternoon. During that time, the person may be | | | | because staff do not consistently use it. It is also |
| tearful, sometimes angry, demanding, or just unhappy | | | | effective to have either age-appropriate music or |
| and a bit weepy. | | | | something very soothing playing. |
| If the caregiver stays calm, this helps the person | | | | 3. Apply the care-plan made for Mildred to help her |
| with dementia. Unfortunately, in some families, the | | | | through sundowning. This could be Kleenex and family |
| caregiver gets as upset as the person with dementia. | | | | photos, being taken for a drive, watching a favorite |
| Using behavior-modifying drugs is seldom necessary | | | | dvd, redirection to making cookies -- whatever |
| and their use often reflects the caregiver's problems. | | | | works. |
| Sundowning that is NOT normal needs further | | | | 4. If Mildred can't be calmed, redirected or bribed into |
| investigation by a psychiatrist. It is not unusual, alas, | | | | something else, then sitting with her or walking with |
| for elders with a lifelong, possibly undiagnosed, mental | | | | her while she vents her feelings is also fine. |
| illness to be tossed into the dementia classification. | | | | Is Mildred getting the rest she needs? People with |
| Such elders may have extended hours of so-called | | | | dementia are often exhausted and this may also be |
| sundowning. They may be wildly active all night long, | | | | why some of them don't sleep well. It's like when |
| violently breaking things, piling furniture up to | | | | over-tired children are too hyper to sleep. If this is |
| barricade themselves in their rooms., attacking their | | | | Mildred, she might need to go to bed earlier, get up |
| roommate or their caregivers. | | | | later or have an after-lunch nap or all three. |
| These abnormal behaviors urgently need expert | | | | This complex care plan can produce very good |
| investigation, because these elders are dangerous, to | | | | results. Some people stop sun-downing altogether. |
| themselves, their caregivers and other residents. | | | | Others become calmer and easier to manage. It |
| Normal sundowning responds well to a multi-faceted | | | | works in care facilities -- if staff are encouraged to |
| approach which is easy to put into place and rewards | | | | be consistent -- and at home. |
| consistency by working well. | | | | Nothing could be more worthwhile than building a plan |
| First, the caregiver notes the time and format of the | | | | to ease the emotional struggles of an elder with |
| sundowning. For example, suppose Mildred gets | | | | dementia and it's not hard to do. |
| restless and agitated each afternoon at about 3pm, | | | | |