Sundowning

Stav

anyone have tips on redirecting aggression and agitation and combativeness that my mom has in the late afternoon/early evening.

She is already on seroquel and I was hoping for some non-meditation advice.

elhijo

Hi Stav,

Someone after my own heart. For years I listed to doctors and had my mom on meds. They either overdid it and made her very susceptible to falls -or made her more crazy. In any case, direct sunlight, or really strong indirect sunlight seems to help with my mom -and- putting her bed right near the huge floor to ceiling window we have. My mom is presently bed-bound so she is no longer an eloping or fall risk (we have a hospital bed with full rails). She basically sleeps in the living room now which has the huge window and huge view. The sunlight and seeing people/cars constantly helps her not feel boxed-in and I think has helped greatly. If you loved one can walk though, this advice could be deadly if they climb/get out of the house if you put them right next to the window. What you can do is maybe hire a contractor to see how you can change your living situation to where your home gets plenty of direct light (or indirect light if direct light is not possible) in whatever room your mom lives in. If this isn't possible then maybe investing in a good wheelchair and/or a home health aide to help you take her outside to the park/beach/etc. three times a week when the sun is still strong, but not so hot, might help. Getting as much sunlight for many hours and seeing people seems to help.

Best of luck to you and our mom!