Comments on: Sundown Treatments http://sundownerfacts.com a resource for Sundowners Syndrome Fri, 10 Feb 2012 02:25:42 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Dawn http://sundownerfacts.com/_treatments/comment-page-1/#comment-21327 Dawn Wed, 08 Feb 2012 05:44:42 +0000 http://www.sundownerfacts.com/?page_id=20#comment-21327 My grandmother is 88 and I've been caring for her for the past 4 years in her home where she has lived for 53 years. She was diagnosed with Dementia just before I moved in to help her, but I saw evidence of it many years before (she would do things backwards). My mom and aunt died of cancer about 15 years ago. I'm 43. Fortunately grandma has financial resources and one son who lives out of state. Her son has wanted to place her in a facility since diagnosis but is very willing to let me do what I can to keep her at home. I made a promise to grandma (I will NEVER make another promise as long as I live!) when I was about 17 that I would make sure she stayed at home and never went into a facility. I may not be able to keep that promise. Grandma is still ambulatory and relatively self-sufficient with assistance (knock on wood) but Sundowners has just begun over the past few months. It started with, "when is someone coming to pick me up to take me home" and variations of that on a regular basis around 7-10pm. I have seen her standing at my door or in the middle of the room, not saying a word, and waiting for me to acknowledge her. It really scares me. I told her one time that it scared me and she said that if it scared me how did I think it made her feel. Wow. She isn't usually with it enough to come up with that. Made me think. I have to say after reading several sites I am lucky in some respects; she goes to bed around 8pm-10pm and I wake her up by 9am. She usually sleeps through the night but we have some nights of pacing the house and standing at my door, or her usual rummaging through her drawers at all hours of the night. I was having a lot of trouble with her wanting to go to bed the moment the sun went down so her son told me to let her go to bed when she wanted. I tried that but she would wake up during the night and keep me up. Now I let her go to bed at 6pm where she watches an old movie until 8pm or so. So far it seems to be working but who knows how long it will last, as I can continuously see changes in her functioning/behavior. Before she goes to sleep I tell her that she is home, in her own room and in her own bed, and most of the time it works. If I forget to tell her she walks down the hall to ask when someone is coming to take her home. I don't know how it works because she doesn't remember anything. Maybe on some level things with an emotional component sink in. She has had mini strokes in the past and has vascular issues and is on multiple meds including Coumadin. Personally I think the medication is what caused the strokes and subsequent Dementia. She has had A LOT of complications from her medicine, including fainting spells from her Aricept, which I finally took her off of. It seems everyone knows that Aricept can cause fainting except the doctors and the hospitals even though it's listed as a side effect. Thank God for the internet. I know her condition will deteriorate even more and I've already warned her I may not be able to keep my promise. I'm already tired. I feel I've sacrificed so much already, as I have no life whatsoever. I've given up almost everything. I know I don't have it as hard as many people so I guess I should be grateful. I feel resentful sometimes, very sad, scared that it may happen to me and I have no one to care for me, depressed, a lack of motivation and am apathetic about most things in life right now. Grandma was there for me when I ran away from an abusive home at age 17 and she let me live with her until I graduated high school and left for college. I feel I need to be there for her but am not sure at what personal sacrifice. I'm also caring for a 22-year-old cat with kidney disease whom I've had since college. It seems a bit overwhelming at times and then I feel selfish and guilty, especially after reading other people's stories. I've never felt guilt before in my life, I always try to do what I feel is right. Now I live with it daily. I do think diet plays a role in her functioning, I know she does better when her emotional needs are met, lots of attention, kindness, music from her era, dancing, old movies, photo albums, and picture books (she likes Norman Rockwell art). She also reviews the family geneology booklet EVERY night and sleeps with the booklet and her purse by her side. I've tried some alternative methods of healing and now I'm trying deer antler velvet. I do believe the body has the capacity to heal itself if given the proper tools. I think it will not be possible as long as she's on multiple meds, and her dr's are adamant about keeping her medicated. I have read that b vitamins, especially b-12, help with Dementia but I've also read that seniors don't absorb it well. Doesn't seem to do anything. I tried Lecithin and fish oil. Lecithin doesn't seem to do much alone but the fish oil helps and maybe both help in combination with each other. She has a mouthful of mercury fillings, drank tap water for years filled with flouride, and used aluminum pans. She was an alcoholic for years and never drank water. Dehydration can cause all sorts of brain malfunctions. I wish I could find a solution. I feel the health care and pharmaceutical industry make too much money on this problem, just like cancer, and there's more money without a resolution so I don't ever expect them to find one. Maybe it's those vaccinations...they cause autism in children, why not Dementia in the elderly? Flu shot anyone? I'm not sure of the purpose of writing this and I apologize for it being so long. My friends don't want to hear it anymore. I thought it might make me feel better to write it but it doesn't. It did help me to read other stories and I identified with many so maybe this will be of help to someone else. Thanks everyone for your contributions. My grandmother is 88 and I’ve been caring for her for the past 4 years in her home where she has lived for 53 years. She was diagnosed with Dementia just before I moved in to help her, but I saw evidence of it many years before (she would do things backwards). My mom and aunt died of cancer about 15 years ago. I’m 43. Fortunately grandma has financial resources and one son who lives out of state. Her son has wanted to place her in a facility since diagnosis but is very willing to let me do what I can to keep her at home. I made a promise to grandma (I will NEVER make another promise as long as I live!) when I was about 17 that I would make sure she stayed at home and never went into a facility. I may not be able to keep that promise. Grandma is still ambulatory and relatively self-sufficient with assistance (knock on wood) but Sundowners has just begun over the past few months. It started with, “when is someone coming to pick me up to take me home” and variations of that on a regular basis around 7-10pm. I have seen her standing at my door or in the middle of the room, not saying a word, and waiting for me to acknowledge her. It really scares me. I told her one time that it scared me and she said that if it scared me how did I think it made her feel. Wow. She isn’t usually with it enough to come up with that. Made me think. I have to say after reading several sites I am lucky in some respects; she goes to bed around 8pm-10pm and I wake her up by 9am. She usually sleeps through the night but we have some nights of pacing the house and standing at my door, or her usual rummaging through her drawers at all hours of the night. I was having a lot of trouble with her wanting to go to bed the moment the sun went down so her son told me to let her go to bed when she wanted. I tried that but she would wake up during the night and keep me up. Now I let her go to bed at 6pm where she watches an old movie until 8pm or so. So far it seems to be working but who knows how long it will last, as I can continuously see changes in her functioning/behavior. Before she goes to sleep I tell her that she is home, in her own room and in her own bed, and most of the time it works. If I forget to tell her she walks down the hall to ask when someone is coming to take her home. I don’t know how it works because she doesn’t remember anything. Maybe on some level things with an emotional component sink in.

She has had mini strokes in the past and has vascular issues and is on multiple meds including Coumadin. Personally I think the medication is what caused the strokes and subsequent Dementia. She has had A LOT of complications from her medicine, including fainting spells from her Aricept, which I finally took her off of. It seems everyone knows that Aricept can cause fainting except the doctors and the hospitals even though it’s listed as a side effect. Thank God for the internet. I know her condition will deteriorate even more and I’ve already warned her I may not be able to keep my promise. I’m already tired. I feel I’ve sacrificed so much already, as I have no life whatsoever. I’ve given up almost everything. I know I don’t have it as hard as many people so I guess I should be grateful. I feel resentful sometimes, very sad, scared that it may happen to me and I have no one to care for me, depressed, a lack of motivation and am apathetic about most things in life right now. Grandma was there for me when I ran away from an abusive home at age 17 and she let me live with her until I graduated high school and left for college. I feel I need to be there for her but am not sure at what personal sacrifice. I’m also caring for a 22-year-old cat with kidney disease whom I’ve had since college. It seems a bit overwhelming at times and then I feel selfish and guilty, especially after reading other people’s stories. I’ve never felt guilt before in my life, I always try to do what I feel is right. Now I live with it daily.

I do think diet plays a role in her functioning, I know she does better when her emotional needs are met, lots of attention, kindness, music from her era, dancing, old movies, photo albums, and picture books (she likes Norman Rockwell art). She also reviews the family geneology booklet EVERY night and sleeps with the booklet and her purse by her side.

I’ve tried some alternative methods of healing and now I’m trying deer antler velvet. I do believe the body has the capacity to heal itself if given the proper tools. I think it will not be possible as long as she’s on multiple meds, and her dr’s are adamant about keeping her medicated. I have read that b vitamins, especially b-12, help with Dementia but I’ve also read that seniors don’t absorb it well. Doesn’t seem to do anything. I tried Lecithin and fish oil. Lecithin doesn’t seem to do much alone but the fish oil helps and maybe both help in combination with each other. She has a mouthful of mercury fillings, drank tap water for years filled with flouride, and used aluminum pans. She was an alcoholic for years and never drank water. Dehydration can cause all sorts of brain malfunctions. I wish I could find a solution. I feel the health care and pharmaceutical industry make too much money on this problem, just like cancer, and there’s more money without a resolution so I don’t ever expect them to find one. Maybe it’s those vaccinations…they cause autism in children, why not Dementia in the elderly? Flu shot anyone?

I’m not sure of the purpose of writing this and I apologize for it being so long. My friends don’t want to hear it anymore. I thought it might make me feel better to write it but it doesn’t. It did help me to read other stories and I identified with many so maybe this will be of help to someone else. Thanks everyone for your contributions.

]]> By: Deb http://sundownerfacts.com/_treatments/comment-page-1/#comment-20917 Deb Thu, 02 Feb 2012 19:29:00 +0000 http://www.sundownerfacts.com/?page_id=20#comment-20917 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!!! 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!!!

]]> By: Debbie http://sundownerfacts.com/_treatments/comment-page-1/#comment-20428 Debbie Thu, 26 Jan 2012 21:40:10 +0000 http://www.sundownerfacts.com/?page_id=20#comment-20428 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. 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.

]]> By: Debbie http://sundownerfacts.com/_treatments/comment-page-1/#comment-20427 Debbie Thu, 26 Jan 2012 21:38:22 +0000 http://www.sundownerfacts.com/?page_id=20#comment-20427 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. 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.

]]> By: Sharon http://sundownerfacts.com/_treatments/comment-page-1/#comment-20309 Sharon Wed, 25 Jan 2012 05:13:04 +0000 http://www.sundownerfacts.com/?page_id=20#comment-20309 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. 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.

]]> By: Carol http://sundownerfacts.com/_treatments/comment-page-1/#comment-20303 Carol Wed, 25 Jan 2012 03:17:09 +0000 http://www.sundownerfacts.com/?page_id=20#comment-20303 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! 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!

]]> By: Esther Zaragoza http://sundownerfacts.com/_treatments/comment-page-1/#comment-18301 Esther Zaragoza Fri, 06 Jan 2012 04:36:18 +0000 http://www.sundownerfacts.com/?page_id=20#comment-18301 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. 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.

]]> By: John http://sundownerfacts.com/_treatments/comment-page-1/#comment-16528 John Sat, 24 Dec 2011 18:32:50 +0000 http://www.sundownerfacts.com/?page_id=20#comment-16528 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. 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.

]]> By: Karen http://sundownerfacts.com/_treatments/comment-page-1/#comment-13839 Karen Fri, 25 Nov 2011 18:48:04 +0000 http://www.sundownerfacts.com/?page_id=20#comment-13839 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. 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.

]]> By: Kimberlee http://sundownerfacts.com/_treatments/comment-page-1/#comment-13312 Kimberlee Mon, 14 Nov 2011 04:06:37 +0000 http://www.sundownerfacts.com/?page_id=20#comment-13312 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? 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?

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