Comments on: Sundown Treatments

By: Paula

Paula — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 04:34:14 +0000

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.

By: judy

judy — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 23:52:39 +0000

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.

By: belove

belove — Wed, 26 May 2010 11:39:14 +0000

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.

By: cindy

cindy — Mon, 17 May 2010 03:08:13 +0000

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.

By: Renee

Renee — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 03:47:30 +0000

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!

By: Melanie

Melanie — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 00:25:30 +0000

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?

By: MARY MITCHELL

MARY MITCHELL — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 00:06:51 +0000

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.

By: Chad

Chad — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 17:14:28 +0000

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

By: Janet

Janet — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 22:52:17 +0000

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.

By: kim

kim — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 03:58:31 +0000

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