Assisted Living May Be the Answer When Sundowners Causes Frustration
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Sundowner’s syndrome is most commonly associated with Alzheimer’s, but it can be present among seniors who are dealing with other forms of dementia, too. It derives its name because most of the symptoms — most notably verbal or physical aggression — tend to happen during the later afternoon or evening hours. When considering the right memory care facility for somebody experiencing Sundowners syndrome, assisted living should be a consideration.
What causes Sundowners?
Memory Care Greenville SC – Assisted Living May Be the Answer When Sundowners Causes Frustration
Each situation is different, but for the most part, when a senior is trying to get too many things accomplished at the end of the day, especially when dealing with memory related challenges, it can feel overwhelming.
It can cause frustration. That frustration, coupled with expanding gaps in their memory, can cause verbal and physical outbursts. They might start yelling at their spouse, adult daughter, or another family caregiver, accusing them of some horrible things, or even lashing out physically.
One of the most effective ways to help diminish the risk of sundowners is to spread common tasks throughout the day rather than placing them all in the evening.
For example, if a senior is susceptible to Sundowner’s syndrome, instead of having them eat at 6 p.m. then clean up all the dishes, put everything away, then go take a shower, get dressed, brush their teeth, do the laundry, and so on, limit those evening activities to eating, assisting somebody with clean up, if necessary, and brushing their teeth and getting dressed for bed.
Why would assisted living be the memory care option to consider?
First and foremost, the senior would be surrounded by experienced staff members 24 hours a day, seven days a week. While many family caregivers might already be living with the senior dealing with Alzheimer’s or another type of dementia, that doesn’t mean they are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Also, many family caregivers have no idea what to expect as the senior progresses through various stages of these diseases. In the beginning, things seem relatively simple, but they get a lot more complicated and challenging with each passing year.
Having experienced staff members who have worked with many other seniors facing memory related challenges is a huge benefit. Also, memory care assisted living communities will often have activities specifically designed for those dealing with memory issues.
Some of these activities can help strengthen neural networks and help the senior stay sharp. Even if the senior is well beyond the stages of Alzheimer’s and progressing to the final months or years of their life, experienced staff members at assisted living can offer comfort, be a bridge or barrier between family and friends and the senior so they don’t have to deal with the emotional pain of those verbal or physical outbursts.
Do you have to commit full-time to assisted living right now?
Depending on the facility, no. Some offer respite care options, including overnight stays, just a couple of days a week, or even for short-term stays, such as a week or two, possibly up to one month. It’s a great way to discover exactly how assisted living for memory care would benefit the senior.
