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My wife suffers from some symptoms of dementia (memory loss, confusion and occasional temper outbursts)...with memory loss and confusion seeming to be the worst.


I seem to sense more of these when she seems tired and just before evening meal time. Is anyone aware of being to control diet (maybe a sugar supplement late in the day ) as a way of improving memory, controlling confusion, anger, etc. I haven't seen any information on this topic.


TIA

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I've had the same experience with my husband Lindaz.
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My mom passed away as a result of end stage Alz. Throughout her illness we fed her healthy home-made food with plenty of vegetables from our own organic garden....did it slow down her Alz? No, I don't believe it did, but we were sure she was eating a healthy diet until she no longer remembered how to chew. At that point we made her healthy home-made soups. But the dementia continued to steal away all of her abilities. I truly don't think this disease can be cured....by diet and as of now by medication. Keep your loved one well fed and comfortable and at the very least you will not berate yourself when the pass on. Blessings to you, Lindaz.
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Yes, we were able to help my mother through her diet and exercise. I can send you information if you would like.
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Thank you JannSimpson and others who have seen the results of a healthy diet, at any age, for anyone. This is so important. The brain runs on daily or hourly sugar. Fact, but you can't feed it Processed sugar. Protein with Fiber, burns evenly and is a good fuel. Simple concept, but people don't know it. When we crave sugar, (energy) we should eat healthy food, that our body will eventually turn into sugar, but not the processed sugar itself. There are times when we do need immediate lift to let the rest take time to process, but that is best covered by eating well Every Day and staying hydrated, with a good routine Daily, and then we have Reserves for that stressful time, without reaching for the HFCS.
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Eating "clean foods," such as the food at Panera Bread is worth a try. There is no guarantee for a cure against dementia.
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In light of what I saw happen with my foster dad and everything that was revealed in the end, all I can say is just make sure to eat a healthy diet for starters. Try cutting out all junk and processed foods. Eat more fresh produce, fruits and veggies and even more fish. The wider the variety of foods you eat, the healthier you'll be. If you have lack of appetite, you may try turning to the blender and making smoothies with all of the healthy foods. There are some very nice blenders out there and I like the ones with the spicket on the bottom. You can also take ensure and even other similar shakes. You may also want to look into those meal replacement bars for days you're just not hungry. My doctor recently said that as we get older we slow down and when we slow down so does our metabolism, which would mean less appetite. 

When you lose your appetite, be very wary when you no longer have hunger pains for prolonged periods of time, even years, this is where the problems start. Sometimes you eat because you know you must to survive even if you're not hungry
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I agree with the comments above from user "cetude" NO JUNK FOOD!! 

I beleive ( and have seen it work) that EXERCISING, CHOOSING HEALTHY ORGANIC FOODS and supplementing with HIGH QUALITY VITAMINS has EVERYTHING to do with it! 
As we age, (Especially women) our bodies stop producing enough of things like Vitamin D, Calcium, magnesium etc.... My Mother is in the the mid stages of dementia. When I changed her diet from JUNK FOODS like peanut butter, cakes, pies, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Hydrogenated Oils etc.. and replaced them with Almond Butter, Almond Milk, Fresh Veggies and Fruit & Gluten Free breads, I think it made a HUGE Difference! 
Plus she walks everyday now. I also took her to a functional medicine doctor that focuses mainly on Women's health issues. ( this is an MD that is open to natural therapies like high quality organic foods, supplementation, and pushes nontoxic approaches with a strong emphasis on disease prevention and optimizing wellness.) 
It was  determined that Mom was EXTREMELY low in Vitamin D, had thyroid issues and was low in Calcium and Magnesium. When supplementing it's best to use HIGH QUALITY Supplements. No Walmart brands with more fillers than vitamins. Health food stores have the best and the owner or employees can help you choose them. Magnesium is good for sleep, the heart, kidneys and anxiety to name a few. My husband commented the other day that my mother seems to be calmer, more perky and to generally have a better outlook on life. She still has her moments, but overall I think she is happier! This makes us all happier! 

DISCLAIMER: I am NOT a doctor and I am NOT claiming that this will work for everyone. I'm just saying that it has worked for us so far. :-)
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Fought not caught.
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I caught this disease for years. I drug my husband to doctor after doctor, gave huge amounts of supplements, tried one diet after another, then my husband went into hospice and was taken off of everything. He is doing so much better. At some point we just have to let nature take its course. I know it's hard. I still give him his homemade protein drink in the mornings, along with a healthful diet and occasional ice cream treat.
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You will learn that it is easier to change your routine than it is to change her.
You will need to adapt.
Make your larger meal in the afternoon. (healthier anyway according to my Grandma..Eat breakfast like a King, Lunch like a Prince and dinner like a Pauper)
This will eventually change so her larger more substantial meal will be in the morning.
She gets exhausted trying to keep things straight in her mind. Who she is, who you are, where she is, do underpants go on first or the long pants, do you put shoes on first or pants, where the bathroom is, what to do when she gets there. This is making her mind work even harder. Maybe even how to walk, how to open a door.
Doing all this takes a lot of energy so by the mid afternoon early evening she is done!.
The restlessness in the evening commonly called "Sundowning" can be anything from pure frustration, wandering , anger or any OCD becomes more pronounced.
Keep the lights on as much as possible. Switch lights to LED they seem to be brighter and more true to a sunlight. (They also use less energy and if you have to keep lights on that's a good thing)
It can be anything from shadows to exhaustion that causes more problems. Eye sight is not great at this stage in our lives and with dementia we have no idea what the shadows do to trick the eye or mind.
She will sleep more during the day and longer in the morning and maybe even want to go to bed earlier. This is normal and it is a way for the body to try to rest and prepare for the next day and try to repair itself. And with any dementia repair is impossible but the body keeps trying.
Bottom line when it comes to adapting to a new routine you must be the one that adapts. It makes it much easier and less frustrating for all.
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That is a good point Ferris. I don't know of anyone who is over the age of 80 that has lived on a restrictive diet. They all eat a full diet of fats, carbs, protein, including bacon, cakes, ice cream, etc.
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The symptoms you describe prior to the evening meal is known as "Sundowners". As the sun begins to set the body starts a chemical change in the brain of a person with dementia. The brain loves rich omega 3s found in eggs, fish, salmon, etc. However if you have been following the centenarians lately who are well over 100+, they eat bacon, eggs, cookies, and have the blessings of their doctors. Dementia is a terminal illness, so feed her whatever she likes.
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Has she been checked for vitamin B1 or B12 deficiency? Lack of B1 (usually associated with alcohol-related dementia) or B12 (often seen in the elderly) can affect mental function. My ex-husband's dementia was improved with B12, although not enough to let him live alone.
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Churchmouse,
Spot On. Nobody needs more sugar in their diet. Especially the poison that is HFCS (High Fructose Corn Syrup) That is OFF our list, and I buy nothing with this highly processed, highly Addictive substance in it.
In fact, Alzheimer's has been known lately as "Diabetes Type 3" in professional circles of eldercare, so closely is it linked to the spikes in blood sugar that occur eating processed junk.

Cetude, you're right! No Junk Food, and No psychotropic drugs. In fact to sleep, we give melatonin, tryptophan, exercise & hydration. When does one add more water, to ourselves or to our elderly? We will find it Hard to drink enough. So I do it at the Beginning of my day. I began to put a glass of water beside my bed, to drink when I first woke, smaller at first, then later larger, and as the seasons changed I got a thermos from IKEA, metal clad & interior (they don't break as old thermoses used to) When weather is cooler, I put warm or even hot water in it, or tea without sugar.
Thing is, it's hard to do all that at night. So I wake to go to the bathroom, drink a third to half the water, go pee, come back (usually before I intend to fully get up but more hydrated, I sleep better and get up with energy after the first drink) to bed for my "snooze" after drinking a bit more. Then magically half an hour later, my eyes pop open and my mind is filled with the amazing possibilities of today. Really.
I've found in 8 years, nobody whines for their white carbs, cookies and candy - at all. Even those eating junk, soon begin to feel better with us. We also do adult daycare, and I've found families saying, "Wow, she's speaking in complete sentences, sleeping better, no longer has hemorrhoids, and it's since she's coming here!"
I'm happy to tell those who say diet has nothing to do with Alzheimer's & dementia, that it really can make all the difference in quality of life, and thus the way having it Affects them and their caregivers.
Our nonprofit mission is "Housing and Healthcare Education and Assistance, to Improve the Quality of Life, for Seniors and Their Caregivers."
It simply Works
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I'd discuss your wife's dementia symptoms with her doctor. Is she still able to have input into her treatment? I'm not a doctor or expert, but, to my knowledge, unfortunately, nutrition and supplements have not been proven to have any effect on brain damage, which is what occurs with dementia. While a healthy diet is great and certainly benefits a person's overall health, I'd ask the doctor if any kind of restrictive diet or supplements is advised for her dementia.

To me, my loved one's quality of life is more important than depriving her of her favorite treats. I make sure she gets them on a regular basis. Her pleasure and enjoyment is very important to me than a strict diet that is not going to prolong her life. Dementia is a terminal illness, so, for me, making every day happy for her is my goal.

If your wife seems to have mental distress that continues, ask your doctor if medication would be helpful or if there are things that could do that might make her feel better, like gentle music. I've read that playing those CD's of relaxing music, sounds of nature, waterfalls, birds, can help calm a dementia patient.

I would be wary of those who offer promises to help or reverse dementia with diet or supplements.  I think that desperation and grief can make us place our faith in any number of cures, treatments.  If in doubt, discuss it with a Neurologist, psychiatrist of even her primary doctor.  
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Fisherman,
You are on the right track and Cetude, a few others are right there with you. Exercise, Hydration, and Nutrition are Keys to Life!
At our small ALF home in Pembroke Pines, FL, we have seen amazing results with Walking, being Outside where the Sunshine is on our skin, and Yes, Daily Routine. I, myself as a caregiver and a person, have seen and felt amazing improvement in my own health and focus with this program.

We use only healthy foods, whole wheat bread, brown rice, whole wheat or veggie/bean pasta with extra protein, quinoa, spelt berries, steel cut oats, not the mushy ones. Lots of fruits and vegetables, and plenty of pure Water, by reverse osmosis, that filters out the chlorine, fluoride and other chemicals, without causing the huge waste of plastic bottles for the environment.
We use Coconut Oil, Coconut Milk and Coconut Water. With enough fiber and Hydration, people eliminate better, and think clearer. The exercise is also Key and that they get Outside Daily to see the Sun, to be Connected again to the timeless rhythm of life and this helps hugely in the prevention of sundowning.
Change your light bulbs in the home (yeah, a hundred or two but Worth it!) to Daylight color spectrum, so that even when it's not friendly out to that walk, she gets Daylight Every day. Don't let her sleep in the daytime, keep her busy. Get her up Early with the Sun, the Natural way, and Limit Screen Time. That Blue light emitted Causes Insomnia, the last thing you need.
Cetude is right, Daily Routine, Same time and they will Ask to go for a walk. It really is that easy, when you get it going. People with memory loss feel so much Safer if they Know what to expect, Daily.
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Don't forget adequate hydration...so many elderly are dehydrated and that adds to confusion and even balance issues.
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Being tired and hungry doesn't exactly improve my temper or willingness to concentrate, either. I'm not quite sure what, beyond the obvious, you're hoping to discover?

If your wife is beginning to show clear signs of dementia, it's a good time to think about structuring her environment and her day anyway. She'll feel more secure if things run to a reliable timetable, plus you'll be able to see where the gaps between mealtimes are too long and maybe shift things around a bit.

Exercise is good for everyone, I agree; ideally out of doors, in good daylight; and my mother's mental health nurse also recommended a 1-2 hour nap after lunch.

And what the heck is a 'sugar supplement'??? No. Try a sandwich, or a couple of crackers with some cream cheese. Except for diabetics going hypo, it is hard to think of *anyone* who needs more sugar in their diet.
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Fisherman it sounds like your life is suffering from sundowning which is the condition that normally occurs in the early to late afternoon . For an afternoon pick me up try some sort of healthy snack. For issues of confusion anger studies have shown that music and an increase in the brightness of light will often help with the symptoms of sundowning.
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Try to keep them moving. Exercise. Whatever you do -- do it routine..same time daily.  Once it's part of the routine they will want to do it because it is part of the routine.  Do it seven days a week.  I do mean seven days a week. My mom's health has improved since doing this. That's unusual for end stage Alzheimer's. I also give her nothing but nutritious food.  NO JUNK FOOD.  Other than the cocoa.  and I do mean ***NO*** JUNK FOOD. ***NO*** high fat foods.  NO cheese or dairy (the soy milk is supplemented with calcium so it's the same as milk).   NOTHING fried. Considering she has end stage Alzheimer's -- the exercise regained her interest in food and she eats.
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My mom suffers end stage Alzheimer's and what helps me a LOT is daily exercise. It took over a year but I got her to walk close to a half mile (about 3/4th of a half mile-most of it) -- when she first started she could not even do a half block without getting extremely short of breath and wheezing. After a considerable time she is no longer short of breath and no longer wheezes. Walking does a LOT to control behavior. I do it every morning. If I can't walk her outside due to rain or other bad weather, I take her to the mall. I do this seven days a week. I also give her a cup of cocoa daily. Usually during lunch I will make a cup of cocoa and put two tablespoons in it (heaping) with soy milk (we don't do dairy products). After about two weeks you will notice a difference for the better. Walking is the most essential medicine--I consider it like a daily routine medication -- and if she gets confused or out of control in the afternoon we go walking again and it straightens her right out. I also keep her awake during the day. Along with her cocoa in the afternoon make a very strong green tea (concentrated) and mix it in with the cocoa drink. It really does help. But if I didn't walk her she would be either bedridden or dead by now. It also helps prevent falls. They still happen but not nearly as much as they used to. 
When I walk my mom she uses a WALKER. There is no way she can walk nearly a half mile without her walker--and remember it took over a year to get her to walk that far. It took one year to get her to walk a quarter of a mile. She can go a little further now.  Also keeping her awake during the day she generally sleeps all night. I use NO narcotics and NO psychotropic DRUGS. Psychotropic medications increase risk for falling and only mask symptoms.   I say keep them moving.   If I don't exercise her she can be most difficult. Exercise is the key. but gradually introduce it and gradually increase tolerance. It takes time. With exercise she's a lot better and improved her quality of life..and mine.
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I'm afraid there is no magic diet. If only there were!

One thing you can try is moving the evening a little earlier. Or perhaps have a snack mid-afternoon. Crackers and cheese. Apple wedges and peanut butter. A small dish of ice cream. Not a whole meal, just a little pick-me-up. Some people need to eat more often to keep their blood sugar levels from slumping. This may have nothing to do with your wife's problems, but it is an easy thing to try.

(I worked with a guy once who got crabby if his lunch was delayed. He kept a box of snickers in his desk drawer and ate one if it looked like lunch might be late. )
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Hello, Fisherman as you told that your wife is suffering from dementia and memory loss and confusion is at worst condition. I prefer you to go to a doctor as the Doctor is going to tell about the problems in details. But for a time being you just need to spend a time with her else you can go somewhere out of station depending upon her condition. You need to control her diet by adding green vegetables, soups, more of water and all the foods that are good in protein and rich in iron. For controlling anger of her she should do meditation and she can go for anger controlling classes. Overall she just needs you as her medicine, just be with her and stay calm with her. God bless you both.
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Fisherman, oh how we wish changing one's diet or adding certain vitamins would help with dementia, but it doesn't.

I think what is happening with your wife is that she is showing signs of "sundowning" which makes the symptoms show stronger starting in later afternoon and through the night time [it can also start earlier in the afternoon].

If your wife is tired, have the doctor check her vitamin B levels.  If low, adding more vitamin B could make her less tired.   Or it may not.   Or she might be active around the clock.   One never knows at this point in the time how a person will react.
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