Sundowning

Boyd2boyd

I care for my 94 year old mom. I was the caregiver for both parent but my dad past away 2 years ago. My mom has dementia and sundowning is bad in the evenings. She wants to go home. Yes, I have done all things I'm suppose to do. The lighting, sounds etc. Nothing works. She bangs that walker and trys to get out of the house. I have safe proof the house and She thinks that's cruel. All day she dying and can barely walk. Come evenings and she gets the strength of a horse. This will go on until bedtime. Neurologist has her on the max medication. Suggestions

M1

Define max medications. Atypical antipsychotics like Seroquel and risperdal are very effective for sundowning. If your neurologist wont prescribe ask her primary care or for referral to a geriatric psychiatrist.

Boyd2boyd

Seroquel, Zoloft, Xanax

Jeanne C.

I'm sorry you and your mom are going through this. The meds may be at maximum but are they the right ones for your mom? I would ask for a geripsych consult. My husband was having a lot of late afternoon issues. I've worked with his doc to make adjustments until we have a mix that works well for now. It's still his worst time of day, but manageable. First we adjusted his anti-anxiety meds, and it did not help at all. Then we adjusted his anti-psych meds. We didn't increase the dosage, but instead split the dose and changed the timing. It's always going to be a work in progress as his body adapts to the meds and his disease progresses.

Maybe get some video of your mom during sundowning so the doc can see. And all the best to you.

M1

Seroquel and quetiapine are the same thing (brand and generic). Maybe it's a dosing issue? Definitely worth some phone calls at the very least....and the Xanax can be problematic, some people have contrary reactions to it with increased agitation instead of decreased...can also increase fall risk.