Sundown Treatments
Besides medications, there are a few treatments that can be tried for Sundowner’s Syndrome. Music has been used in nursing homes for many years to help calm agitated behavior. Other sounds that sometimes help are recordings of ocean waves or singing birds.
In studies where soothing touch was used to calm a person with Sundowner’s, it only seemed to work with those who were not angry or violent. You can try hand holding, hand massage, or affectionate touch if your loved one isn’t in an angry state.
Some people have even tried aromatherapy treamtents to calm agitation, and more and more nursing homes bring animals into the facility to interact with the patients. The results have been very positive. Reminiscing with your loved one may also be helpful as long as it evokes positive memories from the past.
Herbs such as Ginkgo Biloba and St. John’s Wort have been used to assist patients with dementia and Sundowning Syndrome, as well as Vitamin E, but these may or may not offer some subtle decrease in symptoms. Again, the treatment depends very much upon the individual.
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Light therapy can be especially helpful for people with Sundowning Syndrome, although again, it may or may not diminish symptoms, depending upon the individual. Lightboxes are available that mimic sunlight. The person with Sundowners must sit close to the light for a period of time, although they can do so while watching television, reading, eating, etc. The lightbox is probably best used in the morning hours and can make a big difference if the Sundown patient also suffers from depression.
When You Need Help
No matter how much you want to care for your loved one with Sundowner’s Syndrome, it may eventually become too difficult for you to do so. If that is the case, there are numerous wonderful facilities that will serve as a permanent home for your loved one. These facilities are well-trained to deal with dementia symptoms. In fact, there are special units for the care of Alzheimer’s patients. They are specifically designed to maintain safety and prevent agitation as much as possible.
The social interaction available in nursing facilities is often very beneficial to patients with dementia and Sundowning. Wandering becomes much less dangerous in institutional settings where doors are locked and staff is always available.
If your loved one has lost control of bodily functions, this is one of the hardest things to manage at home. If a person isn’t washed immediately after urinating or defecating, skin infections can develop quickly. There is also an enormous risk of life-threatening bed sores if a patient gets to the point where they are bedridden. In such cases, patients may need to be turned on an hourly basis to prevent bed sores.
If you need help but don’t want to place your loved one in a nursing home, you may be able to locate a home health aide for when you’re at work or even an adult daycare center, which are beginning to sprout up all over the country.
If money is an issue, check into government programs which might help you. Medicaid can often pay for assistance, even in the home.
Whatever you do, make sure you have a support system. Dealing with a person with dementia and/or Sundowning Syndrome is extremely stressful, and in order to take care of your loved one, you must also take care of yourself.
{ 61 comments… read them below or add one }
This is new for me my mom broke her ankle and had to go into a rehab center and I brought her to live with me after that now I feel she has some signs of sundowners I DON,T KNOW WHAT TO DO i HAVE TO WORK AND i HAVE NO REALATIVES IN
Ask for a consult with Hospice, they are NOT just for the ones are passing, they can help you. They were Angels for my and my Dad.
My mother has dementia and I have her living in a assisted living apartments in Phoenix, I live in tucson,Her sundowning has gotten worse since she has been up there. The doctor prescribed klonopin for sleep , has been taking it for 3 weeks off and on, (mainly on) also lexpro in the am . I think it is too much she is more depressed and confused and she said she wants to die, and she wants to come back to tucson and live with me or she wants to get her own apartment again but I know that will not work.
She can not live with me as I have to work and she is unable to stay at my house by herself. She is on goverment assistants. I do not know what to do with her. I love her so much but she does not understand about everything.
any suggestions PLEASE
You can contact a state agency in your area Ihss or adult services to get help
the state will pay for it. If she makes a certain amount you need to check with them it is usally 900.00 a month or less she can be making.
Go to SS, they will tell you if she qualifies for any help at your house, they can send somebody to take care during the time you are at work.
to sburrough,
dont wait until its to late !! godbless your home
Sharon:
Can you get your mother into a home closer to you? Please try not to feel guilty, you can’t bring her home, it is too much. We have my mom home because that is what we promised our dad before he passed. It is just too much. You can’t be everything to everyone. I know that you love your Mom and that it is very hard for you. Maybe if you could get her closer where you could visit more often and watch her care carefully, you would feel better.
Best of luck to you and your mother. My thoughts and prayers are with you, I know how difficult it is for you.
We just had to place my mother in a nursing home. My dad and my mother have been married for more than 40 years, but now they have to be separated because of this awful disease. I feel horrible because I know that when you marry someone it should be until death do you part, and now they are apart and she is aware of it, but she cannot go back home, its too much for dad. She won’t take her medicine and she won’t listen to anyone when they tell her that she is not remembering important things so that makes her dangerous to herself and everyone in the senior apartment complex.
Now she says she wants to come and live with me and my husband, but I know she can’t stay with us either. This is such a horrible feeling, and such a horrible disease. Does anyone else feel like the government knows the root of this disease and why it is affecting so many people? I feel betrayed just like the thousands of people who died from the Tuskegee experiment and other experiments the government secretly led. I feel like my mother is an innocent victim of some secretive experiment or something we have been consuming unknowingly. I’m angry and frustrated…I want my parents to be together until death do them part, I don’t think a nursing home should be the viable solution for our precious loved ones. Lord help us all…the number of people with this disease is said to increase dramatically by 2030. Integrity is in confession and it seems to me that someone needs to confess.
I am in a similar situation. My father just died and mother is alive at 88 year olds with Alzheimer’s. She has 24 hour care but the money is running out. I am trying to get my mother on medical . I live 8 hours away from her . My brother lives with her who is an alcoholic . This is the most heart breaking time of my life.
Sharon,
Sharon
Yes you will feel guilty about doing what is best for your mother. There were times shr felt the same about you. Yes you do want what is best for her and she wants what is best for you always. Yes you do Love her enough to protect her even from herself , I work in this field there should be an agency in your area that can help find a place closer to you.Check under Seinors or aging . Just getting her closer to you could help her out greatly , a cell phone with her will help also so she can call you when she is really scared, tell her in front of nursing staff she can call you anytime, let her know what days you will be there to visit her.Have staff mark off her calender days for her. You really are a special person if every parent had a child like you or even a friend like you it really would be a better world.
My husband had endovascular surgery for an AAA 8 days ago. 24 hours after
after surgery, without any prior problems, he went suddenly into
sundowners. It is so stressful now. Up 24 hours period at a time.
I, my daughter and son, along with their spouses are helping. Is
there any medication to help them sleep through night?
Karen
No the is nothing I have taken care of a person that had a bad case they tried adavan morphine but nothing works need to take it in shifts
We have been dealing with my mother’s Alzheimer’s Disease for almost
seven years. We finally had to switch her Dr. after the first two
years because her physician didn’t diagnose it. I am suffering
with my own health problems and so I can live in with my parents.
Recently my health became too much and now my son and his fiance had
to move in to pick up the slack. My mother’s sundown syndrome has
been an issue for the last four years. It seems like no matter what
we try, we just can’t avoid her agitation in the evening hours. She
is convinced that she is not at home and constantly irritates my
father with her urgency to leave.
This is a terrible disease and I want to cry every time I see my
mother in so much anguish. She was a highly intelligent woman and
you would never guess it to see her now.
I recently was able to make some connections with some of my old friends
from high school and I found it alarming how many of them are struggling
with the same problems. It does make you wonder what could be
causing this disease to be so prevalent in our society.
People are living such long lives these days, they didn’t have a chance to get into advanced dementia in the “old days.”
My mother is in the final stages of small cell cancer – it has entered her spinal canal and we believe it’s moving into the brain as well. She experienced numerous falls at home and wound up in the hospital as a result of a head injury…she has developed sun downing syndrome. We are bringing her home tomorrow, as we feel that this may help alleviate the symptons – it may or may not; we’ll see.
I watch her during “busy time”…eyes closed, doing “something” with her hands – possibly making dinner…not sure. She knows who we are; and to be honest, as sad as I am for her in her state, I am also very fascinated by what I am hearing and witnessing…she talks about things that are very real; just not current, in her life. I am learning a lot about my mom that I never before knew or probably would never have known were this syndrome not present. She is recalling events from her childhood and early 20′s…these memories are real, though not current. It’s a snapshot into her past and I am oddly grateful to be experiencing this with her. She has maybe a couple months left in this world and I’m still learning new things about her. She’s not scared; as a matter of fact, I caught her smiling with her eyes closed and hands feverishly working away (looked like she was getting things out of an imaginary cabinet)…she’s utterly adorable.
To all of you. My family and I have been living with Alzeheimers and are learning more about Sundoweners everyday. We still don’t understand it. My mother lives next door to me, we are in our 3rd year of knowing she has Alzeheimer’s. My oldest daughter is back home living with me due to a military family her being here has helped so much. I work full time and my sister who lives locally also works all the time as well. I have an intercom on lock down similar to baby monitors and I have one in my house so I can hear everything that goes on there all the time. The last several weeks I have been noticing several changes in my mom but I haven’t shared those things as I didn’t want to feel like I condemned her. I too promised my dad shortly before he died, even though he had been and still was in a como, that we would take care of her. He’s been gone for 17 years! The other night I must have died when I went to bed and was scared awake hearing my mother’s voice coming over the intercom saying mine and my daughter’s name and that she needed help up there and we needed to bring a key. Last night I heard her over the intercom repeating two numbers over and over and I realized they were the last 2 numbers of my phone number. I called her and she was trying to remember my phone number, my other daughter has her other phone programmed so all she has to do is push one button. I talked to a nurse that comes once a week and checks her out, she told me today that if I was asking her if we needed to put her in a home. She ended in saying that she’s not going to be able to live there through the end of the year. We had a family conference my sister, myself, and one brother. There is another brother and he has his own medical problems and has been back here a total of 3X since 1965, what do you do? We all have to stay strong and we all have to live, some days I which I could just visit my mother instead of having to do all the other things, but yet the thought of letting go and doing what’s right and safest for them is another thing to consider. She hasn’t forgotten who I am, and I assume that day will come and I’m sure I will be devestated. I know I have to work and no matter how you look at it, there’s a cost to care but there’s what’s right for the person as a human being as well.
I found out what true patience now that my mom has been hospitalized in the last 5 months. She is exhibiting signs of Sundowners but I am in the medical field and able to live with her. I care for her during the day but I work at night and family cares for her at night. I am already at odds with myself because I would only do the best for her but her whole condition is horrible to understand. Not only that I live in a small town with limited medical experts. Although she is treated i a large city there are no further answers. I say to all of you to trust in God. He has been here the last six months. I recall who true friends are and realize that a daughter and a mothers bond is priceless.
I am just learning of sundowners.It has come upon my mother very repidly.At the present time she is in Behavioral Center,but it unsure exactly how good the care is there.I am ready to bring her home,but unsure if I am able to take on the care alone.I am an only child,with no other family to help out.I am unsure what is the best care for her.
Does anyone know of medications that will help with the agitation other than Ativan?
Cheryl, My grandfather was on Ativan & Risperadol & they had a horrible adverse effect on him. The only med that gave him some help, not alot but some, was Haldol. The only problem with it is if you are looking at it for an elderly person is if that person is in a nursing home the nursing homes don’t allow them to have it! Sorry, Good Luck!
Greetings all.
My heart goes out to all of you. I know what you are going thru with the AD and the Sundown Syndrome. I just got a phone call from the nursing home yesterday saying that my mom is exhibiting symptoms of Sundowner’s. She has AD, for the last 14 years. They don’t seem to have any idea what causes it, nor does there seem to be an adequate treatment for it. Valerian or St. John’s wort are the two herbs suggested, light boxes (also used to treat seasonal affectedness disorder), closing the drapes, redirecting…all were suggested via information gathered on the internet. Factoids all and nothing in depth. I will need to do more research.
For those of you who “promised” a dying parent to “take care” of the remaining parent. Your dying parent would never have wanted you to die as a result of taking care of your remaining parent. Sometimes, you need to be realistic and many times, the caregiver DIES first. You will still be “taking care” of your parent, just in a different way. And yes, it is a lot of work having a parent in a nursing home because face it…you will NEVER find a facility who will give your parent the individual and KNOWING care that you can. That is why you NEED to go to the nursing home frequently, you need to call, you need to monitor their meds, you need to check for bumps, cuts, and bruises and if you find any, you need to ask how they occurred. You will need to advocate for your parent. Trust me, you will still be taking care of your parent. In more ways than you can imagine.
I am starting to think that the upsurge of AD has to be environmental. There are 8 people in my husband’s family who have AD, his mother and father included. So while it is on both sides of the family and COULD be genetic, for two of the siblings, their spouses also have AD. Now here’s the major thing…. They ALL grew up within 3 miles of each other, went to the same schools, went to the same church AND all ate vegetables from gardens planted in the same area. So is it consumption of produce grown in soil that maybe was tainted?? Was it some “thing” that was used during WWII?? Since it is generally more female than male, was it lead in the red lipstick they used?? And WHY is my mom the only one of her siblings with AD?? We don’t know yet. But I don’t think it is some conspiracy.
God help us all and pray for a cure. Volunteer for your local Alzheimer’s Association, find support groups, do your reseach, be informed and ADVOCATE ADVOCATE ADVOCATE!!
My dad(who is 86) recently had 70 percent of his bladder removed due to cancer. He was perfectly in his right mind before the surgery, but now, 9 days later, the doctor says he has sundown syndrome. I just cannot understand how this could happen so quickly and I can’t stand the thought of my father not ever being back in his right mind and possible even dying in this state. We have tried the ativan but it does not work…..has anyone had any luck with anything else?
Hi Cathy:
If you don’t mind me asking, what happened to your father over the last year-and-a-half. My mom had her bladder removed a few months ago at 72. It did affect her mind slightly, but she was still able to drive and live alone shortly after surgery. Then two months after surgery, she had her first chemo treatment. After the chemo, her mental facilities went down a little more. I took her to a routine doctor’s appointment a week ago, and she had very low sodium levels (118), and she was admitted to the hospital. We were in the hospital for a week, and this is when she started sundowning. Twice, she didn’t know where she was and couldn’t tell the nurse her name. But that hasn’t happened for several days. Now, she wakes up relatively normal, but starting in the afternoon she becomes confused. The doctors are waiting over the next few weeks to see if she “comes out of it” or continues to get worse. What happen to your father. Thanks Patti
Cathy,
I feel for you. I am going thru the samething with my mother after a hospital stay. She is also 86 and it seems to be the age most of our parents go through this thing. I’ve gone thru some difficult times since she developed sundowner’s. The http://www.caring.com site had some good ideas to try although like they say, they don’t know a great deal about this condition. I have increased her water intake, am in the process of trying the full spectrum lighting. Singing with her helps but that’s one tip I know can’t be helpful to everyone. She always sung in church and remembers songs. But the http://www.caring.com site does have things to try. I’m hanging in there for my mom and know what you have to be going through. It’s so very tough!!
My mom has just been diagnosed with sundowners. She has been in the hospital three times since July. She had a fall four weeks ago and has suddenly started exhibiting sundowner’s. She is very agitated and violent in the evenings. She does not know who I am in the evenings but knows me during the day. She has become so violent that she has attacked me and my siblings, not to mention the nurses who take most of the abuse. It is so hard to think of your own mother saying that you have ruined my life and if she had a hatchet she would kill you. She has tried to choke me and the nurses.
I believe the many years of taking cholesterol and blood pressure medicine have done this to her. Her first hospital stay was due to low sodium and pottasium levels which were caused by a blood pressure medicine that she had taken for over ten years. Her doctor failed to check her liver every few months. She is now under a neurologist care. He is trying to find a balance of medications that will help her agitation.
My siblings think that we should take her home to see if she would improve. However, I am frightened! It is so sad to be afraid of your own mother. She has always been such a loving and caring woman.
This is not who she is. This is the illness. Do not attach meaning to it.
The real mother loves you.
I am a grandaughter dealing with a grandpa who is old and tired of taking care of his wife….she took to the bed over 15 years ago–YEP—and now she has sundowners too…I have helped and helped and this is crazy stuff!! My dad (their only kid is far away and not much help)…I just wanted to vent. I didn’t have kids so I could avoid having to take care of anyone but myself–God had other plans!!! (: hahahahaha
Kim, if your grandparents could see what you are doing for them, with their faculties in place, they would be amazed and thankful for your loving actions and help towards them. No, you didn’t have children, but God, wise as He is, knows you have a nurturing heart, and worked that issue out for good. It is hard, especially in the midst of a seemingly non-ending difficult stage, but your grandparents are being blessed, and you will be through it all, too. You will come out being a more understanding, caring person with a wealth of information to pass on to others later on in your life. Get support from community services as much as you are able, or relief from a friend. Look after yourself, too, or you will have nothing left to give to others. It is good to vent – and I’m grateful to be here to “catch” and encourage you.
Needing any new inf. for my mom who has vascular dementia and now suffering from Sundowners which I need to learn up on. Also any help I can get with my Mom as many of you know care giving really takes a toll on one! Thanks
My mother is 81 years old. My husband and I are her only caregivers. We have been caring for her, for the last past 6 years. She has been diagnosed with alzhemeir. We have seen her go through many levels with this illness. Every evening she starts to pack many bags and purses. She then get very upsets with us, when she tells us to put all her packed items in the car, because she is going home. She has lived in the same house for the last 35 years. She demands then that we take her to the bus station, so that she can get a ticket to her home in Lubbock, which is where she already is. She gets very little sleep because we cannot redirect us. She ask questions over and over about deceased love ones and again get very upset when you dont tell her relatives just left the house. She is very agitiated in the evening. It breaks our heart to see her walking back and forth with these bags, upset that we are not helping her. She has become very depressed and cries a lot. She goes through old bills and papers over and over. She talks on going to pictures from magazines. She has developed friendship with different one from dress magazines. She tells the pictures her problems, and when she feels like the picture betrays her she will get very upset and tear the page up, with a speech why she cant trust them any more. My mother has no recent memories left nor can she receive any new information.
Before her illness she was very organized, was a mentor to many people, and such a people person.
My mother is 74 She. moved in with my kids and I this past fall. She was diagnosed with Sundowning. She does not understand it and is in denial. She was in a small apt alone for folks over 55. She thought her neibors were stealing stuff from her.. She would call the police repeatedly and even speak to them about this. It was nuts. We thought the best thing to do was move her in with us. The constant threats now.. She can remember anything from the best but at times can’t remember why she jut made me cry. We deal with the parnoia, and out bursts of behavior. I pray it does not rain or snow..
Any ideas?
My mother who is 99 broke her hip three mos. ago and now has sundowner’s. I did not understand this until I began reading more about it. I have tried every medication but nothing works and they all seem to have an adverse effect on her. I wish someone somewhere had the answer – I am alone and running out of energy to keep going night and day. God Bless all the caregivers here.
bless all of you who care for these people. ma is 81 and has sundowners. she stays at her apt (for people over 55) and with my husband and me sometimes. she smokes 2 cartons of cigs a week and is in a wheelchair. she is up all night long smoking and ramming her wheelchair into everything while she is here. my husband works first shift and i work third. i don’t know how she manages to get by on eatting and sleeping so little. i’ve never seen my mom cry in 50 years until now. it is so sad and i feel so helpless. she lies and makes up several ‘stories’ all the time. i spend several hours every day tending to her because she moves so slow. she can’t be trusted with her medicine or do any type of household activity. i want to keep her out of the nursing home, but i am running out of energy and am becoming increasingly frustrated, which makes me feel soooo guilty and sad.
Hello. I feel so sorry that you and so many of the others leaving the aboving comments including our family are having to go through this sundown syndrome. In our case my Father-in-law, one of the Best, Kind hearted Caring, Trusting People that anyone could have the Honor to met. He had brain surgery and since then starting that very night in the hospital that he had the surgery he started having sundown syndrome, But as I read YOUR comment I wanted you to know that your dear sweet Mother is NOT Lying to you , because in HER brain she honestly believes what she is tell you, and that can NOT be looked at as a lie, My Father-n-law can get by on 6 hours of sleep in 36 hours, he too is very slow at anything he is doing OR thinks he is doing,We too hope that his Doctors will atleast TRY to put in on some type of sleeping Medicine OR something, I Thank God for our family Support cause right now it, We take turns 2 of us watching him ALL night long IF he his manageable then 1 will watch him and the other can try to get a couple of hours sleep, when he is up in the night (AM hours) in the wheelchair we always walk behide him, yes that’s harder on us safer for him And for ALL that he has done for his family and for others, its HIS turn to be treated as he has treated others through out his whole life, We know one thing is for sure,”WE DO NOT KNOW WHAT HOLD TOMORROW BUT WE DO KNOW WHO IS ON CONTROL OF THE TOMORROW’s” and so We are ALL Depending on our LORD No matter what may happen. May GOD Bless and Strenghten Your Mother,You and Yours, Amen,
Sincerely, Mrs Carnes.
Has anyone had experience with phenobarbital being prescribed for sundowning in the elderly? We have tried many other things for the dementia, (adavan, respirdol, now hallidol) all worked during the day especially the hallidol. But nothing. nor dosage of, (even tried Thorazine) seems to help at all after dark. There just does not seem to be any thing that will shutdown her mind and give her a quiet peaceful night. Tonight will be of first night with the phenobarbital. If you have any information or ideas please forward.
My parents were just moved from a nursing (rehab) home last week into a very very nice board in care in my city. They were 50 miles away. My mom has dementia but dad doesnt. Mom is fine during the day but wakes during the night very agitated. Sleeping meds dont help. Does anyone know of anything that can? The care givers there are all ok with her getting up, etc., but my dad is very impatient and cant handle it. May have to move him to another b/c, but they have been married 58 years and need to be together at least during the day. If I have to move one of them to another place it will be more exhausting than it is already – I am about to lose it! and more expensive. dont know what to do.
believe me i understand my wife and i r currently live in caretakers for a sundowner and her daughter whos in denial about the whole thing. i can tell you this elderly lady is out of hand she gets violent, hallucinates, depressed, you name it she gets it. i dont know what to do for the lady. she gets xanax and ristoril and it doesnt fase her. the only thing that i have found to occasionally work is nyquil. but dont do it for more than 4-5 days at a time cause it can make the confusion worse. if anyone has anything else to offer please please let me know. her visiting physician says theres not much we can do and my wife and i are about to lose it. and that isnt fair to our 2 daughters. th sad thing is this ladys own family isnt even offering to help.
I have been experiencing symptoms of Sundowning Syndrome for a few weeks now. I usually wander off at night, but if I concentrate on something, it helps. Any other suggestions would be more than welcome for me and my wife. I am only 43, so this is confusing as all get out. Please help!
hi we have been caring for a lady whos sundowning has gotten worse and is currently in rehab for infections. but a few things have helped sometimes. try taking anythig that can make you agitated out of your sleeping area, nyquil is a good assist for sleep, as well as xanex. but otherwise we are in the dark aon th matter as much as anyone. hope this helps, and good luck
does anyone else have the sundown syndrome com e in spells? this lady will have 6 day spells and then snap out of it. does this mean shes on her way to having it permanently?
Could it be that our loved ones are over medicated? I really feel as though taking my mother off all meds will help. Has anyone suggested this to their loved ones doctors or actually done it? I honestly feel that Doctors over medicate…thoughts?
First off I would love to find this “fantasy” medicad or medicare that will pay for in home care. There is none. Sure they will send someone in to bath them twice a week and the nurse will come around once a week, other than that, we are on our own.
My dad has 4 stage prostate cancer and was receiving hormone injections before his stroke 5 weeks ago. Well, because he was in a rehab,his doctor refused to come to the rehab to administer this shot, but he was quick to say, if we wanted to bring him to the office he would do it, but we would have to pay 1800. because of the fact that my dad was still considered a patient at the rehab and medicare would not pay as long as he was there. What a great doctor and health care system we have. Now that he is home I have done nothing but argue with the VNA to get him back into the Palliative Hospice Care, which he had before the stroke. 5 days of going back and forth, today I finally got him back on that program.
If the cancer and stroke isn’t enough for this poor man to endure, he now has the sundowne syndrome. I have read so much about this and I don’t know what is worse, the cancer, the stroke, or this…..
Its all very very sad and I am now understanding just why so many take their own lives when a serious condition hits.
Watching my dad suffer through the tears and pain is more than I can stand and I would take every ounce of it on myself if I could,
It is said that we must all suffer to get into eternal life, I am starting to wonder on this one.
I just hope this newest sundowne will pass soon, the man has had enough and when he looks me in the eyes and cries that he’s had enough and prays to die, just what is one to do…..
Hi to all of your, I believe my mom, 77 yesr old, also living with me since last September 2010, has sundowners. She has a doctors appt. next Wed. in which they will check her out and hopefully give me conclusive answers. My husband and I take care of her, my grandchildren come by pretty
often, but I don’t want them to feel burdened, (they have families and work too). My sister and her “clan” do nothing more than call once in a blue moon. My question is this: How do I involve my sister as far as letting her know of Mom’s condition and what about her helping ot somehow, maybe financially? We need to hire someone to come a couple of times a week to help with bathing, etc. I know she will come up with some cock-eyed excuse, like her ailments, but it’s wearing all of us out. I have quit my job and my husband supports me all the way. This situationn has turned my life upside down. Mom takes Ativan at 5:00 in the evening and so far so good. She has started forgetting and asks me the same questions right after I have already answered them. She has always “collected” napkins and now is twisting them along with a host of other things. She uses a walker to get alittlle exercise, but otherwise just sits and watches TV in her pajamas, I gave up trying to help her do anything else for now. Anyone have any ideas about getting others to help? My mom and dad did so much for my sister; She really does owe something!!!!! Thanks, and God bless each of you.
My mom is 96, has had dementia for several years and now has severe sundowners syndrome and lives in Phoenix, AZ. After taking her to the ER and having her admitted into the hospital, the social worker told us we should talk to HOSPICE. We found out that they and Medicare are now recognizing dementia as terminal and life-ending as it is incurable and therefore take dementia patients. She is now a patient of HOSPICE and is given many benefits including visits from nurses, doctors, support staff to help bathe her, etc. They moved her into one of their facilities for a short period of time and are working on determining what meds will work with her and help her. We have found that when she starts becoming agitated, she needs something to do to help occupy her mind and hands. Staff at the HOSPICE facility suggested having her fold washclothes (they have a basket full of unfolded washclothes just for this) or even fold napkins (buy a new package at the store for this purpose). Hopefully the HOSPICE in your area is also moving this direction and can offer help.
Anne, which hospice agency did you speak with? My Mother has sundowner’s and is 92.
Hospice of the Valley. They are the best as they are non-profit and offer excellent care.
Anne,
My dad is 95 and just developed dementia after two bladder surgeries in Jan and subsequent UTIs. It’s been quite the ordeal over the past 6 months. I’m scared that this situation can last for years. It’s emotionally draining to be POA for healthcare and responsible for making decisions on meds. We’ve had hospice involved for the past 2 months as I really thought dad was going to pass away – he was totally out of it. He pulled through that period but have yet to find a way to control sundowners. A lot of nurses spoke about haldol but no dr. has prescribed it yet. Respiradol is the same family of drugs & tonight we tripled the dose and intend to also give respidol a sleep aid if needed. The caregiver has been instructed to do this. Dad is fortunate to afford 24 hour care in his home but it’s amazing to think about how many caregivers it takes to fill his needs. For being such an independent man that stayed to himself –he is so very needy now. Besides 24 hr caregivers, my siblings and our spouses all pitch in to keep him occupied and content. My brother lives on the same street and stops by every day practically. Having different care givers at night confuses dad. We’ve taken dad to the best geriatric psychiatrist in Cleveland who thinks he is doing well. That’s because dad enjoys doctor appointments and puts on a great show for them (and his family). Certain caregivers irritate him to no end and we have gone through many over the course of 6 months. I really can’t imagine this going on for years…..God have mercy on us all. Hospice says that he will be evaluated & may graduate out of their program. How is your mom doing now?
We had to put Mom in a group home that has knowledge of Sundowners and Dementia. The first group home was horrible – they said they knew how to handle Sundowners and Dementia and when she was up for 2 nights, they couldn’t deal with it and evicted her. Hospice stepped in and moved her to one of their facilities for a week and a half and then we just moved her to a second home. This was done just 2 days ago so she’s not comfrotable yet and hasn’t accepted it, but she doesn’t recognize her home and doesn’t know where her “property” is. She spends a lot of time living in the time of her youth – looking for people from her childhood and wants to see her parents and siblings. It’s so sad watching her slip away. All we can hope for now is that meds help control the agitation and wakefullness but from what I’m reading, that may not be the case. But at least the hospice nurse is working with the hospice doctor and he is prescribing them. So we make sure she’s in a good location where she’s safe and taken care of. Your father is very fortunate to be able to pay for in-home care. May God bless every one of us that are having to deal with this.
Read your last of May 18,2011. My gentleman friend is 83. Sundowners is not readily available to all searching for info. We do have health aides 3 times a week. He makes the bed with me in it! He also is folding and refolding all towels, etc……Larry keeps losing things in the bed. There is nothing to lose, he say’s things disappear.! Such a nice man and I love him, BUT, I hate this debillating disease. Respectfully request any further info. THANX…
My grandmother has demienta shes had it for a few years. she in the past 2 months has had a decline and now me and my mother are her 24 care unit. we are not trained nurses. i have noticed the past 2 weeks or more around 3 pm to about 8:30 pm she is angry and wants to leave swears her house isnt her house. she cant remeber who anyone is and when u tell her she gets angry. shes threatend us and has hit me before. she wants to leave any nothing we can do will calim her down. shes even on xanx to help sleep. they make her mader and more aggitaed. the nurse is saying she needs to go to a nursing home but it will be a few weeks before we get that help..but does anyone know any ideas or a different meds we can ask her drs about?
MIL fell and broke her femur. She was in rehab for 2 months. Every day we would go to see her and she would be agitated and talking about the night nurses. She would tell us all sorts of stories. Problem was, we believed her, then we were told she has sundowners syndrome. The things she’s saying are all lies but I’ve learned by reading the posts here that it’s what she believes to be true in her mind. She’s now home with an aide. There isn’t much money but we’re trying to keep her out of a nursing home as long as possible. We’ve been taking care of her for 15 years since her husband died. She lives 10 minutes away and I do everything for her. We knew she had dementia but this sundowners is new. Home health care is extremely expensive but we have to work and can’t be there 24/7. I think eventually we will have to succomb and place her in a nursing home. Not an easy decision to make. The aide called me at 6 A.M. asking me to come because she had kept her up since 3 A.M. She said she was talking crazy. After reading what everyone here is saying, it seems hopless. I can’t imagine why they don’t have a medication that would work for all of these people who are suffering. One would think that with so many people living far longer than they’ve lived before that research would be done to help with this debilitating illness. Especially since they’re predicting so many people will get it. The doc prescribed ativan but again from what I read here I don’t think it will be much help. MIL keeps exhibating very fidgety behavior. It’s like she can’t sit still. Very, very sad and it makes “us” the caregivers very nervous to watch someone twitching so much. Sometimes I think we should take the ativan
. I just needed to vent. Thanks to anyone out there who is listening.
I am interested in this apparent connection between surgeries and dementia. In the last six years my husband has had a prostate biopsy that led to urinary retention and a catheter for a week, green light laser surgery for BPH, a hernia operation, esophageal/stomach surgery for achalasia (swallowing disorder) and a partial nephrectomy for a spot seen on a CT scan done for something else. It was only a cyst. In the last three years he has developed signs of dementia, which his MD said are alcohol-related. He quit drinking, but is getting worse with numerous panic attacks and hallucinations of strangers in the house during the evening hours. The “visitors” are after his money, so he moves his wallet from place to place and can’t remember where he put it. I applaud all of the people who are dedicated caregivers, but I hate it.
I am an only child and my husband & I live with my parents because my father has Alzheimer’s. He will be fine all day. Quiet, easy going, watching TV: but around 4:00 he starts to get agitated and then the constant litany of “help me” begins. It drives the rest of us crazy! Who is the evil alien who taken possession of my father? He is like a whiny, bratty 2 year old! I find myself losing patience VERY quickly when it goes on & on & on……especially when he CAN get up by himself but is constantly asking my mother to do it. Neither my husband or I will allow this since she has had back surgery and is not strong enough to let him pull on her. We have had to resort to either my mother or me up with him all night, in addition to my husband staying up all night. The frustration level is high. I try to stay calm, but sometimes it is very difficult.
Hi, Victoria, first please excuse my English, I am not fully bilingual, I will try my best
. My Dad is 86, he has Lewy Body, which is a mix between dementia, Parkinson and hallucinations, and also he had a stroke exactly a year ago and with Sundowing extremely strong. I have no resources to put him in any nursing home or to pay anybody to take care of him. I work in a hotel as a secretary, I don’t sleep anything at all at night taking care of my “old baby” Thank God I have my husband and my kids, they help me a lot, my daughter take care of my Dad during the day so I can come to work and my son and my husband helped my at night. It is a long and very frustrated way to go. There is no medication that helped, nor the sounds of water or the light, not even trying to keep him awake all day long, actually that makes everything worst. The only thing you can do, is trying to be as calm as you can, never lose patient and always try to remember the wonderful Dad he was, also think that if the situation would be the opposite, you been the sick one, he would do the best for you, he would never leave you alone or let anybody to take care of you, at least my Dad wouldn’t. If you ever need to talk to somebody you can email me at d_barreiro@yahoo.com. Take care and I hope I could help you a little bit, we are not alone, and we are not the only ones that are turning the world upside down for our parents.
Sundowners was mentioned the last time i took my uncle to the ER but not stated concretely by a doctor. I was told that he needed to be placed into a nursing facility and he was taken from the hospital to one out of town, but i am not so sure that he is to that point yet. He first started out with severe insomnia, then he was hospitalized with critically low levels of sodium. He would become extremely active as soon as the sun would go down. He was taking ativan for anxiety attacks, which worked fine for him. My family blamed all his erratic behavior on the lack of sleep from the insomnia which no medication(about 10 different ones) seemed to help with. On the last visit to the ER he tried to put his feet into the oven to warm them up because “they were freezing” however, he knew his name, where he was at , his birthdate etc. He began to become increasingly agitated, shaking his legs and twitching his head, even high doses of ativan would not calm him down. From the beginning one of his first symptoms was constant pacing, at night he would not sit for more that 10 minutes. I went to visit him for the first time at the nursing home and it was horrible, he didn’t seem to fit in there at all because he is completely alert as a normal person. His episodes seem to happen every 9 to 12 days and in between he is somewhat manageable. Anyone else have a loved one whose symtoms are similar? If it is not sundowners and is something that can be helped with medication i would like to take him out the nursing home and bring him home. Knowing he is so alert and aware for such long periods of time makes me feel like he is suffering in a nursing home for no reason.
Hi. I’ve been reading all the posts here and I know exactly where each and everyone is coming from. It hurts my heart to say this but I’m 23 and my mother has been diagnosed with vascular dementia/Alzheimer’s since she was 51. She lost her job because she couldn’t remember how to work the new computer system. That is when we went to the doctor about her memory problems. She was then diagnosed with a thyroid goiter and thyroid cancer. She had a complete thyroidectomy. I stayed with her in the hospital then and noticed small signs of confusion and maybe sundowners. We later found out that the cause of her memory problems is mini-strokes. We have been caring for her since then and her memory has progressively deteriorated after the passing of our family dog three months ago. Within this past month she has forgotten my parents wedding anniversary even forgetting the year they were married etc. This evening has been eventful to say the least. She swears my parents aren’t even married and that I’m her daughter and not my fathers daughter. She is having frequent panic attacks and anxiety problems. We have a doctor appointment this Wednesday and I hope and pray we can prevent the inevitable for a little longer. It is putting me and my father is such a depressive and hopeless mentality I just don’t know what to do anymore. It’s just looking into her eyes and seeing the fear and confusion when she is like this it tears my heart out. Any suggestions or supportive advice?
Facing the decision of how to take care of a parent with dementia is one of the hardest things that can happen to a person. My father had to be put in a nursing home when I was only 13. Now, in Washington State there are Adult Family Homes where someone with dementia and even a couple (such as “K” mentioned above). All our resident’s families live very close by and visit daily. They are able to live in a home environment with people who care for them with love, while the family can enjoy the time with their parent when they visit. There is nothing that makes this horrible disease okay, but having this option definitely gives elderly people with dementia the dignity they deserve.
My mom lives with me and is 89 and has Sundowners and dementia. I am 60 and divorced with no siblings. She has no other relatives to care for her but me, as my son is married with small children and a career so it is just me. What keeps me sane? I have an 8 year old bijon frise dog that loves to sit in her lap and sleep. She talks continually and much of it does not make sense but she does this to the dog and the dog loves the attention. It is win-win-win for all three of us. I don’t know if it will work for you, but having that dog provide her with continual companionship is a life saver for me.
I am glad to have found this site. My husband has dementia and the sundowners hits everyday. He “wants to go home” but of course is at home. His beligerance has caused him to fall frequently as he wont let me assist etc. It is taking a toll on me but I am reluctant to find a home or hire anyone as the savings would be soon gone. He still knowa me but sees things and thinks things that don’t exist. I try to change the subjuect but that won’t work. I will look into any helps from local organizations. For the most part I am told to put him in a home. That is not an option if I am to have any resources for myself later. Thanks for all the comments. It has helped!
Since my last post my dad passed away. It was a blessing. In the end, he could no longer swallow but would tell us he was hungry. I would put his spoon with food to his nose or put the pureed food on his lips to satisfy him. A nurse scolded me for doing so as he “might choke.” She was clueless. The smell saisfied him! So what if he choked – he was dying & wanted food. There is something intrinsicly wrong with conventional medicine. A feeding tube would have been painful for dad. He wasn’t in pain & no way would I put him through it. He is so much better off now! A Dr. ordered a feeding tube & when I found out I couldn’t believe it. He was 95 yrs old. His last 3 weeks were spent in hospitals & a nursing home. Even with 24 hour home care, one person could not manage him alone. He no longer realized he was home any ways. I guess I just want to say that I continue to pray for you all that you find the strength to deal & care for your loved one and yourself! In the end, no medication really helped dad. It was just his time and way to go. I miss him but am also enjoying long overdue leisure. My prayer is that all of you be at peace with leisure time to care more for yourself.
My dad fell on January 1, 2012. He is 78 years old. He severed the quadracep tendon in his left leg and had surgery to repair it on the 13th. Prior to his fall, he had some “normal” forgetfulness and confusion for a 78 year old man. But prior to the surgery, just 13 days later, he was more and more confused. After his surgery, he became extremely confused, had halusinations and would get extremely beligerant. This behavior was as far from what my dad is normally like as it could be. He’s been in a rehab facility since January 17th. He needs physical therapy for the leg. His mind is better during the day. In the past week he has probably gotten to be at leas 90% himself. But between 5:30 – 6:30 pm…..he goes crazy. This doesn’t happen every night but more than not. He gets very strong, sees things that are just not there, believes things are true when they never happened and I feel sure could hurt someone if he had the chance. The nurse administrator told my brother yesterday that they feel sure he has sundowners. The worst news we could hear. My dad had a brother that developed sundowners after two major surgeries close together. My dad has told me many, many times that he sure hope he would never end up like his brother. And here he is. How do you take him home if he could be dangerous to himself or my mom? But how do you leave him in a nursing hom when is mind is great during the day? My brother, mother and I are rotating the care during the day. My brother usually stays every night until dad is asleep. The better dad gets during the day, the more he wants to go home. His therapy is going real good and physically, he could probably go him in a couple weeks. We feel we owe him the chance to go home and see if that will help him. Everytime he gets an attach of sundowners, he is begging to go home. So we’re thinking if we take him home and he can be with his dog and back in his own bed, maybe it will lessen the attacks. We’re scared he will hurt himself or our mom. My brother and I have decided when he does go home we will stay nights for a while. But we both work and I live about 70 miles away. We can not afford to hire anyone to stay with them. But I can’t stand the thought of putting him in a home. We are trusting the Lord to lead us and direct us in his care. But we would sure appreciate your prayers and any advice you may have!
Thanks and God Bless us all!!!