I know what Sundowning is but is now experiencing it with my husband. Can time the clock to it around four or five and on through the evening. He becomes a different person. Any suggestions how to handle this strange thing.
Brighter lighting indoors. There are lights that are "daylight" and LED's are brighter than others and they do not seem to cast the same shadows like some lighting does. Close curtains, blinds before sunset. (about an hour or so before your husband begins sundowning) Medication to help with the anxiety might help. It might take a while for him to adjust, give it time. As with adding any new medication keep a log or diary of any reactions he may have. Keep him as occupied as you can during the day. If he is tired from activity he might settle down a bit more easily.
- install daylight spectrum light bulbs in the areas where he mostly stays during the day (tv room, bathroom, kitchen, hallways, etc).
- turn all those lights on even before it starts to get dark. and keep them on until the Sundowning passes.
- plan a distraction or activity before he starts sundowning: helping to cut vegetables, folding laundry, sorting things - these are all items that are just for this purpose... like a large stack of kitchen towels or multiple pairs of socks to sort and pair, nuts and bolts for him to sort and pair.
- have him read to you out loud; put in a "low-key", upbeat movie like something from Disney or Pixar, nothing stressful, violent or dark. Musicals, if he likes those.
- take him for a drive or walk down the block in nice weather.
- play a board game (but use his rules, don't argue with anything he does). Maybe have him sort the Monopoly money and pieces.
etc.
For my very elderly Aunt with mod/adv dementia we had her fold kitchen towels and sort poker chips (which she interestingly put into a nice pattern instead. She was a graphic artist in her youth). She read animal books out loud to us while we prepped dinner. Then we walked to the mailbox. Every day.
I wish you wisdom and peace in your heart on this journey!
Close curtains, blinds before sunset. (about an hour or so before your husband begins sundowning)
Medication to help with the anxiety might help. It might take a while for him to adjust, give it time. As with adding any new medication keep a log or diary of any reactions he may have.
Keep him as occupied as you can during the day.
If he is tired from activity he might settle down a bit more easily.
- turn all those lights on even before it starts to get dark. and keep them on until the Sundowning passes.
- plan a distraction or activity before he starts sundowning: helping to cut vegetables, folding laundry, sorting things - these are all items that are just for this purpose... like a large stack of kitchen towels or multiple pairs of socks to sort and pair, nuts and bolts for him to sort and pair.
- have him read to you out loud; put in a "low-key", upbeat movie like something from Disney or Pixar, nothing stressful, violent or dark. Musicals, if he likes those.
- take him for a drive or walk down the block in nice weather.
- play a board game (but use his rules, don't argue with anything he does). Maybe have him sort the Monopoly money and pieces.
etc.
For my very elderly Aunt with mod/adv dementia we had her fold kitchen towels and sort poker chips (which she interestingly put into a nice pattern instead. She was a graphic artist in her youth). She read animal books out loud to us while we prepped dinner. Then we walked to the mailbox. Every day.
I wish you wisdom and peace in your heart on this journey!
Have you spoken to his doctor about medication to be given before it starts?
Often, the expertise of a psychiatrist can be invaluable.