Sun-downers/Dementia/Alzheimer's

[Rhoni]

One of the ladies in the alzheimers unit was a UPCI woman who's family visited her often. The staff always wanted to cut her hair and I wouldn't allow them to knowing her personal preference [conviction] I would braid her hair as she propelled her wheelchair with her feet. She would hum..."In The Garden" and would say one word she remembered. I would sing the next few, and she would sing a word or a phrase and we would get through the song. I look forward to seeing her in heaven one day and singing with her again.

Blessings, Rhoni

[Esther]

I have never heard of Sun-downers before. How is it different?

[Trouvere]

Sun Downers is dementia that comes on at night.
My dad would be perfectly fine all day and then when evening came he could not
remember where he was.
Alzeheimers takes them away altogether. Its so sad.

[RevDWW]

Originally Posted by Trouvere

Sun Downers is dementia that comes on at night.
My dad would be perfectly fine all day and then when evening came he could not
remember where he was.
Alzeheimers takes them away altogether. Its so sad.

My FIL was very good for a few days and that was worse then when he is confused, because he would ask me why he can't come and live at my house. We would have loved to have him until the sun downers set in and he started getting very agitated and no matter where he was he was ready to leave, even when at his own home or out at the country place that he loves so much.

The week before he was brought down to Louisiana we had some interesting conversation everyday. He was at a didn't place in a different situation each day, all around were he grew up and he would wonder when they built "this building" here? This building was the facility he was in. Then He'd have a few days of clarity, only getting confused in the evenings.

There are times you can't help but chuckle at some of the things he says and does. Better to laugh than weep..........

[Carpenter]

Actually, sundowners is when folks confuse their days with their nights. This is why the wander risk is so high in a non-secured facility.

Actually it sounds like he has vascular dementia and not Alzheimer's Disease. Sometimes they treat these individuals with AD medication but it rarely has the same effect of halting the disorder, chances are because it was vascular dementia (given his history), irreperable harm was done to his brain and there is really no way to improve or halt the disease which is what AD medication does.

AD medications for the mostpart are designed not to improve the patients memory, but to keep it from advancing.

If he is sundowning, I would recommend a secured assisted living facility for him. There are some wonderful facilities around...take the time to find the right one.

[Hesetmefree238]

My mom has alzheimer's. She is in the memory care unit of an assisted living facility. This disease is very hard on both the patient and the family.
Today, was one of my mother's good days. Her mind was better than normal and she felt well. Other days she rambles continuously and she is very afraid that someone is trying to hurt her. Seeing her tormented with the fear is
one of the most difficult things to deal with, but I believe the Lord is helping
her with this. I thanked him when I left her today that she was having a good
day.