LLT# 209 - "Sundowning" : Why Do Persons with Dementia "Change" When the Sun Sets?👵🏽👴🏽🌇😕
#sundowning #dementia #dementiasupport #dementiacaretipsandtricks #delirium #moodchange #alzheimerawareness #elderlycare #healthyaging #brainhealth #seniorcare #familycaregivers #mindfulness #habits
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"SUNDOWNING" : a term that can cause confusion as much as it causes distress in both the person with dementia and the entire family!
This term "sundowning" refers to a state of increasing confusion that occurs in the late afternoon and lasts into the night.
Some symptoms can be more distressing than others: as it seems that your loved one goes from baseline Dementia or Alzheimer's disease to plain bizarre behaviour - almost everyday at sunset!
🌇😕Is THIS your reality?
🌇😕Why does it happen?
🌇😕What can you do?
The good news, if you can call it such, is that - SUNDOWNING is NOT a disease, and although it has no known cause/source, there ARE ways to recognise signs and mitigate the daily disruption.
Some causes:
🌇😕Suddenly changing environments, such as the doctor's office or visiting relatives , or transitioning to another care facility
🌇😕Low lighting in the day, can increase shadows, which may cause the person to become confused by what they see and what time of day it actually is. This can be harsh enough to cause hallucinations and increased agitation
🌇😕Trouble separating reality from dreams
🌇😕infection, such as a urinary tract infection , pneumonia
A mixed-up "internal body clock." Often the person living with Alzheimer's may feel tired during the day and awake at night.
🌇😕Pain or boredom
Common SYMPTOMS:
🌇😕Confusion aggression
🌇😕Anxiety
🌇😕Aggression or
🌇😕Ignoring directions.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
😊🌇✅Keep a predictable routine for bedtime, waking, meals and activities --HABITS
😊🌇✅Limit daytime napping
😊🌇✅When /if possible, spend time outside in the sunlight during the day, or open the curtains to let sunlight in : reduces day/night confusion
😊🌇✅Listening to calming music and looking at older photographs (TV is generally a distraction)
😊🌇✅Talk to the person's doctor about the best times of day for taking medication.; some calming teas or natural herbs or traditional medication may help - (THIS CHANNEL DOES NOT ENDORSE ANY SPECIFIC MEDIACL THERAPY)
Observe, Seek help, Ask questions!
One day/hour at a time
From my heart to yours always💗
Dr. Lana
LLT #203 - What Is DELIRIUM? How Is is Different from Dementia ? 👴🏽👵🏽😕😕
#delirium #moodchange r #alzheimerawareness #elderlycare #healthyaging #brainhealth #seniorcare #familycaregivers #mindfulness
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👴🏽👵🏽😕😕What is DELIRIUM?
👴🏽👵🏽😕😕How is it different from DEMENTIA?
👴🏽👵🏽😕😕How can you tell?
👴🏽👵🏽😕😕What can be done?
While the journey through caring for loved ones with Dementia, it can be absolutely distressing to see a person previously 'OK", behaving in a bizarre way.
Take courage! It may "just be DELIRIUM" .
According to many medical sources, Delirium is a fast-developing type of confusion that affects your ability to focus the person's attention (notably) and awareness
Why?- When there is a disruption in brain activity, for any reason, there is a definite change.
Delirium is more common during long (or short) hospital stays or persons transitioned to long-term care facilities., but even at home or in daily living, a "simple fall", may cause damage to brain cells and even bleeding on the brain (from a smaller brain size and more tendency to injury.)
The most common concern relatives /carers say is:
“That’s NOT the person I know.”
While it is good to know that most causes of Delirium are transient and reversible, the reality is some may be a precursor to (especially , underlying Dementia).
Jojn me in a discussion on 5 main changes that can help you to identify/distinguish between these 2 "cousins".
Observe, Seek help, Ask questions!
One day/hour at a time
From my heart to yours💗
Dr. Lana
Main research:
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15252-delirium
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Overwhelmed? Let's connect: 📧lana@lanaannemd.com
For more insights and connect for a FREE face-to-Face 15 minute Zoom call, and a place where we can connect as physicians on my website:
lanaslittlethings.com
If you're a Family Caregiver at your wit's end, needing a different perspective, set up your free 15-minute coaching call-also by email -lana@lanaannemd.com - or on www.lanaslittlethings.com
I always look forward to meeting Fellow Family Caregivers- we gotta stick together!💯
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