Comments on: Symptoms http://sundownerfacts.com a resource for Sundowners Syndrome Wed, 08 Feb 2012 21:43:12 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Mona http://sundownerfacts.com/_symptoms/comment-page-1/#comment-21285 Mona Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:33:28 +0000 http://www.sundownerfacts.com/?page_id=18#comment-21285 I only wish meds were causing the sundowners with my 93 year old mother in law! Her personality did a flip right around the holidays and continues to get worse. She has no concept of time, we recently replaced all of her dial clocks with very LARGE digital wall clocks with p.m indicators, thinking this would help. But we find her sitting in her apartment just staring at the clock waiting for the digits to switch. The other day she was so confused about the p.m. dot that we had to hide it with tape that matched the color of the clock. She has always been such a sweet sweet woman. Now she is a vile monster after 3:00pm each day! She screams at everyone like something out of a horror movie. I think the paranoia is the worst. She is so suspecious of everyone, hiding things and accusing others of stealing them. She ransacs her own apartment and blames her care givers for the mess. She no longer recognizes her own handwriting. She writes ugly notes and then later thinks someone else wrote them about her. As I said, this is my mother-in-law. My husband, as wonderful as he is, is in denial. His father died after 10 years of Alzheimers. I know watching this happen to his mother is more than he can bare. The assisted living facility where she lives says she will be allowed to stay there as long as she doesn't cause physical harm to herself or others. I fear she is moving over the line ... Recently she threw/pushed her walker into one of the care givers when her yelling at them to leave her room wasn't working. The care givers are supposed to ensure she takes her meds each evening, but with the sundowners, that is getting harder to accomplish. Most days we can hardly bring ourselves to answer the telephone, knowing its either my mother-in-law screaming about how much she hates one of her care givers, or else the care givers calling to tell us some horrible thing she has done. Reading all of these true stories of everyone's experiencing lets me know that what we are going thru is very widespread and very real. Somehow I cannot find comfort in that. I wish the night mare would end. I only wish meds were causing the sundowners with my 93 year old mother in law! Her personality did a flip right around the holidays and continues to get worse. She has no concept of time, we recently replaced all of her dial clocks with very LARGE digital wall clocks with p.m indicators, thinking this would help. But we find her sitting in her apartment just staring at the clock waiting for the digits to switch. The other day she was so confused about the p.m. dot that we had to hide it with tape that matched the color of the clock.
She has always been such a sweet sweet woman. Now she is a vile monster after 3:00pm each day! She screams at everyone like something out of a horror movie. I think the paranoia is the worst. She is so suspecious of everyone, hiding things and accusing others of stealing them. She ransacs her own apartment and blames her care givers for the mess. She no longer recognizes her own handwriting. She writes ugly notes and then later thinks someone else wrote them about her.
As I said, this is my mother-in-law. My husband, as wonderful as he is, is in denial. His father died after 10 years of Alzheimers. I know watching this happen to his mother is more than he can bare.
The assisted living facility where she lives says she will be allowed to stay there as long as she doesn’t cause physical harm to herself or others. I fear she is moving over the line … Recently she threw/pushed her walker into one of the care givers when her yelling at them to leave her room wasn’t working. The care givers are supposed to ensure she takes her meds each evening, but with the sundowners, that is getting harder to accomplish.
Most days we can hardly bring ourselves to answer the telephone, knowing its either my mother-in-law screaming about how much she hates one of her care givers, or else the care givers calling to tell us some horrible thing she has done.
Reading all of these true stories of everyone’s experiencing lets me know that what we are going thru is very widespread and very real. Somehow I cannot find comfort in that. I wish the night mare would end.

]]> By: Jane http://sundownerfacts.com/_symptoms/comment-page-1/#comment-19778 Jane Thu, 19 Jan 2012 13:32:41 +0000 http://www.sundownerfacts.com/?page_id=18#comment-19778 The problem MeMe I have is that he calls a locksmith that makes him a key for his van. And to disable it, means he calls a tow truck for someone to come fix it! He understands he should not be driving, so he rarely will get in the van in the early hours (3 or 4)of the morning and go for a ride. I had left the van there because my sister drives him around and her car is old and not safe. But I realize that as he becomes more brave about driving that there is an increase in a accident happening. I have sent a letter to ask to revoke his license. I am not sure if he has gotten that letter yet. I hate to become his enemy! Any other suggestions of ways to get that done. The problem MeMe I have is that he calls a locksmith that makes him a key for his van. And to disable it, means he calls a tow truck for someone to come fix it! He understands he should not be driving, so he rarely will get in the van in the early hours (3 or 4)of the morning and go for a ride. I had left the van there because my sister drives him around and her car is old and not safe. But I realize that as he becomes more brave about driving that there is an increase in a accident happening. I have sent a letter to ask to revoke his license. I am not sure if he has gotten that letter yet. I hate to become his enemy! Any other suggestions of ways to get that done.

]]> By: MeMe http://sundownerfacts.com/_symptoms/comment-page-1/#comment-19693 MeMe Wed, 18 Jan 2012 17:02:45 +0000 http://www.sundownerfacts.com/?page_id=18#comment-19693 It's really very simple... just take the keys away, and then she can't drive anymore. Then talk to someone about support for you, so that you can continue to do the right thing. It’s really very simple…
just take the keys away, and then she can’t drive anymore.
Then talk to someone about support for you, so that you can
continue to do the right thing.

]]> By: Jane http://sundownerfacts.com/_symptoms/comment-page-1/#comment-19537 Jane Tue, 17 Jan 2012 00:26:55 +0000 http://www.sundownerfacts.com/?page_id=18#comment-19537 Hi Javabean, When my dad (88) started having problems, he was examined and put on anti-depression meds with a sleeping aid for his sundown symptoms. I would check in your area for an Alzheimer's group or the department of aging. They have resources and can lead you to doctors that can help with your dad. Hi Javabean,

When my dad (88) started having problems, he was examined and put on anti-depression meds with a sleeping aid for his sundown symptoms. I would check in your area for an Alzheimer’s group or the department of aging. They have resources and can lead you to doctors that can help with your dad.

]]> By: Jane http://sundownerfacts.com/_symptoms/comment-page-1/#comment-19536 Jane Tue, 17 Jan 2012 00:14:34 +0000 http://www.sundownerfacts.com/?page_id=18#comment-19536 Scott, I was just wandering if your mother got better?! Sometimes medications given in the hospital can mess a person up especially after surgery. Hop she got better : ) Scott, I was just wandering if your mother got better?! Sometimes medications given in the hospital can mess a person up especially after surgery. Hop she got better : )

]]> By: javabean http://sundownerfacts.com/_symptoms/comment-page-1/#comment-17409 javabean Sat, 31 Dec 2011 11:20:14 +0000 http://www.sundownerfacts.com/?page_id=18#comment-17409 My Dad is 91 and is getting more and more confused. He is getting very rude and paranoid. He tells me that his dreams feel so real and he wakes up but is still in a dream state. His mood changes like the wind. One minute he seems fine and the next minute he is is filled with fear. He has plenty of money but constantly is in fear about his money. He looks at his watch every few minutes and as soon as he is somewhere he has anxiety about leaving. He is in a constant state of anxiety. I find it very difficult to be around him. I feel guilty for feeling this way but I know I have to take care of myself. My mother died four years ago and I have been the daughter to handle everything for him. He is still driving and I am very worried about this. There have been several incidents. I have tried to talk to his doctor about his nervous condition to see if there was a medication that would help but his doctor said my Dad is fine, the doctor will not listen. I noticed his condition seems worse later in the day. Morning time seems to be the best for him. He lives in independent living in a senior place. He refuses to cook for himself and complains about the food there. He eats lots of his meals out at restaurants. He found a lady where he lives that seems willing to cook and talk with him. He wants to be served. I am worried about his future with his nervousness getting worse. Does anyone here have any tips for me? I am his POA. My Dad is 91 and is getting more and more confused. He is getting very rude and paranoid. He tells me that his dreams feel so real and he wakes up but is still in a dream state. His mood changes like the wind. One minute he seems fine and the next minute he is is filled with fear. He has plenty of money but constantly is in fear about his money. He looks at his watch every few minutes and as soon as he is somewhere he has anxiety about leaving. He is in a constant state of anxiety. I find it very difficult to be around him. I feel guilty for feeling this way but I know I have to take care of myself. My mother died four years ago and I have been the daughter to handle everything for him. He is still driving and I am very worried about this. There have been several incidents. I have tried to talk to his doctor about his nervous condition to see if there was a medication that would help but his doctor said my Dad is fine, the doctor will not listen. I noticed his condition seems worse later in the day. Morning time seems to be the best for him. He lives in independent living in a senior place. He refuses to cook for himself and complains about the food there. He eats lots of his meals out at restaurants. He found a lady where he lives that seems willing to cook and talk with him. He wants to be served. I am worried about his future with his nervousness getting worse. Does anyone here have any tips for me? I am his POA.

]]> By: kelly http://sundownerfacts.com/_symptoms/comment-page-1/#comment-17298 kelly Fri, 30 Dec 2011 13:55:39 +0000 http://www.sundownerfacts.com/?page_id=18#comment-17298 my mother in law just had hip replacement surgery eleven weeks ago .the gave her oxycontin for a pain killer my husband and i not very happy about it. but she is showing almost all of the symptoms of sundowners . she refers to a fourth woman and at night there is little man sitting in the corner sticking his tongue out. she decorated the house for christmas but dosen't remember it.i'm not quite sure if it is the drugs or if it is something else. she also is up all night pacing she has mood changes she has a lot of the symptoms but is it the oxycontin or could it be dementia? i would appreciate some feed back. my mother in law just had hip replacement surgery eleven weeks ago .the gave her oxycontin for a pain killer my husband and i not very happy about it. but she is showing almost all of the symptoms of sundowners . she refers to a fourth woman and at night there is little man sitting in the corner sticking his tongue out. she decorated the house for christmas but dosen’t remember it.i’m not quite sure if it is the drugs or if it is something else. she also is up all night pacing she has mood changes she has a lot of the symptoms but is it the oxycontin or could it be dementia? i would appreciate some feed back.

]]> By: Gladys http://sundownerfacts.com/_symptoms/comment-page-1/#comment-16810 Gladys Tue, 27 Dec 2011 03:05:23 +0000 http://www.sundownerfacts.com/?page_id=18#comment-16810 My grandmother who is 83 years old has in the past couple of weeks begun to talk about another home that she says she has and wants to go to. She lives in her own home with my great aunt. My mother has been taking my grandmother to the doctor and caring for her and recently hired a lady to be there during the day to help out with my grandmothers personal needs as my grandmother cannot walk. As I mentioned, my grandmother has been talking about a house she wants to. No one knows about this house. My grandmother has lived in her present home, which she built, for about 30 years. She does not recognize her home anymore. At first we would answer "what house are you talking about" or "there is no other house" because we did not know what what she was talking about. She began to feel that we all thought something was wrong with her. We have always talked to her in a respectful and caring manner. Now we agree with her and when she asks to go to the other house, we tell her ok, but right now it is too cold to go out. She even asked me what was the reason she was here at this house. I answered, "grandma, this is your house". Three days ago she became upset that no one would take her to her other house and was sad. Of course we do not want to see her like this. We have tried saying to her that everything she needs is here at this house and there is nothing over in the other house. We even tried telling her that the lady who takes care of her during the day comes to this house and she would get lost if we sent her to the other house. Can anyone offer any suggestions on how to answer her? Thank you, Gladys My grandmother who is 83 years old has in the past couple of weeks begun to talk about another home that she says she has and wants to go to. She lives in her own home with my great aunt. My mother has been taking my grandmother to the doctor and caring for her and recently hired a lady to be there during the day to help out with my grandmothers personal needs as my grandmother cannot walk.

As I mentioned, my grandmother has been talking about a house she wants to. No one knows about this house. My grandmother has lived in her present home, which she built, for about 30 years. She does not recognize her home anymore. At first we would answer “what house are you talking about” or “there is no other house” because we did not know what what she was talking about. She began to feel that we all thought something was wrong with her. We have always talked to her in a respectful and caring manner. Now we agree with her and when she asks to go to the other house, we tell her ok, but right now it is too cold to go out. She even asked me what was the reason she was here at this house. I answered, “grandma, this is your house”. Three days ago she became upset that no one would take her to her other house and was sad. Of course we do not want to see her like this. We have tried saying to her that everything she needs is here at this house and there is nothing over in the other house. We even tried telling her that the lady who takes care of her during the day comes to this house and she would get lost if we sent her to the other house. Can anyone offer any suggestions on how to answer her?

Thank you,
Gladys

]]> By: judy hull http://sundownerfacts.com/_symptoms/comment-page-1/#comment-14710 judy hull Thu, 08 Dec 2011 23:57:14 +0000 http://www.sundownerfacts.com/?page_id=18#comment-14710 just got back from my moms dr. he said she has vascular dementia. can anyone tell me about this please..!!! she also has had a heart attack, which within two months was walking but has had 3 or more uti's. shes not the vibrant spunky mom I use to have but I am blessed to have her at all. She has been pacing confused and irritable more now than in July. any input would be helpful. thank you, God bless!!! judy hull just got back from my moms dr. he said she has vascular dementia. can anyone tell me about this please..!!! she also has had a heart attack, which within two months was walking but has had 3 or more uti’s. shes not the vibrant spunky mom I use to have but I am blessed to have her at all. She has been pacing confused and irritable more now than in July. any input would be helpful. thank you, God bless!!! judy hull

]]> By: judy hull http://sundownerfacts.com/_symptoms/comment-page-1/#comment-14636 judy hull Thu, 08 Dec 2011 02:55:09 +0000 http://www.sundownerfacts.com/?page_id=18#comment-14636 my mom had. heart attack in July, she was in 2 convelesent homed and she was not eating, telling strange storeys etc. she has been home now since sept and was doing good with a cna 7 days ask 10 hrs a day. as of yest. she has been very agitated confused and anxious. I think she night have a uti. she was prescribed ativan 2 days ago and has gotten worse. can someone give me dome suggestions please!! thank you god bless you all!! Judy my mom had. heart attack in July, she was in 2 convelesent homed and she was not eating, telling strange storeys etc. she has been home now since sept and was doing good with a cna 7 days ask 10 hrs a day. as of yest. she has been very agitated confused and anxious. I think she night have a uti. she was prescribed ativan 2 days ago and has gotten worse. can someone give me dome suggestions please!! thank you god bless you all!! Judy

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