Major Sundowner

CindyBum · December 14

My poor DW has had a few minor sundowning events, but wowzers, did she go all in last night. We ended up dressed and standing on the front porch, ready to “go home” at 9pm with pouring rain and flood warnings. Good thing she didn’t want to get wet, despite the two baseball caps she had put on, and I was able to get her to take another antianxiety pill and finally get her to bed.

It seemed awful for her, while I was concerned and strategizing on how to redirect and also holding back a bit of laughter about the get up she had dressed herself in.

I’ll take any redirect strategies you have for sundowners and will be writing her geriatric psych on Monday for other medicine options.

White Crane · December 14

Cindy, I don't have any strategies because my DH could hardly ever be re-directed. He would get on one thing and that was it. I just wanted you to know I understand how hard it is and sending a hug.

Brenda

ALCB · December 14

My grandmother (early stage) is also a major sundowner, and although she doesn't wander often, I can't hold any sort of conversation after sunset. I recommend distracting her by talking about another subject that I know she's interested in, and try to guide her back into the house or wherever I need her to be. Other than that, I have no tips for you.

CindyBum · December 14

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/231120#Comment_231120

thank you for this, Brenda. I’m pretty sure this is how it’s going to go with my DW too. I had her ok with, “It’s rainy and dark, so let’s talk about it tomorrow and go home then.” That lasted about 1/2 an hour when she came out of the bedroom with two hats on, a scarf tied around her neck and two different shoe on and said, “What are you waiting for? We have to go.”

It’s super helpful to know not everyone can be redirected. A poll may really be her only relief.

CindyBum · December 14

Thanks, Albc. I’m heading out today to buy some Balfour curtains too and think I’ll try soothing music as the sun sets down. Or, maybe it’s a sunset dance party. Who knows what might work.

clarinetist · December 14

I found a favorite food could sometimes do the trick. “Will you look at that? It’s time for ice cream! We’d better eat it before it melts. Then we’ll go home after we eat.” Or…”yes we really need to go home, but it’s dark now, and I have a room we can stay in tonight. We’ll leave in the morning.” YMMV

Vitruvius · December 14

My DW's need to go somewhere was often very strong during her passage through Stage 6. For her it was always to an undefinable location, but nevertheless very compelling for her. Distractions often didn't dispel her urge to go. We took many drives, often several a day. These became more difficult and shorter due to her increasing incontinence. Meds didn't help. The urge to go eventually faded as she declined into Stage 7.

jsps139_ · December 14

My Mom used to have sundowners at the same time every evening. I started getting her ready for her shower about 10 minutes before her sundowners started. By the time we were done with the shower, drying her hair, and getting her nightgown on she was so tired, she would be very calm. Moving her shower from mornings to evenings did the trick. In the winter, I put her nightgown in the dryer while I showered her, and then put that warm nightgown on her after her shower… talk about happy and calm!!

Biggles · December 15

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/231132#Comment_231132

I relate to this, it is me redirecting too, but I did laugh at your wonderful redirections, sometimes you forget how funny we must sound it’s such a shame it’s not a laughing matter. Oops and now I’ve just realised I’ve run out of ice cream!

Carl46 · December 15

I never run out of ice cream. It is a staple in our house and I buy two or more cartons at a time. There may be someone who likes ice cream more than DW but if there is, they lick the carton.

Procrastination helps me a lot with DWs obsessions. In your case, I would truthfully have said I can't see to drive on rainy nights and we'll have to wait for morning.

My wife sundowns too, but what she wants when it gets dark is to go home. To her, home is in bed with me, so we retire really early at this time of year.

CindyBum · December 15

I had a little luck last night giving my DW meds at 4pm instead of at bedtime. Well see if that keeps working! Fingers crossed.

The doc had suggested them at bedtime because they can cause some stability issues, but by 4pm, we’re usually done for the night anyway.

Carl46 · December 16

Good luck, Cindy. This is such a trial and error process, because everyone is different.

Biggles, go ahead and laugh. I couldn't live without my sense of humor. Besides, a cow would laugh at some of the stuff that goes on.

Chammer · December 16

@Cindybum DS, who works in AL facility that includes a MC unit, says that bad weather (probably changes in barometric pressure) can create behavior issues, even with the AL residents. Your DW may have been responding to the bad weather w an extra dose of sundowning.

Could be due to extra pain from grumpy joints that don't like weather changes, the extra noise and energy of the storm sounds and lights. I agree that covering windows so the aspects of the weather contribute less at sundowning time and maybe slightly louder music / TV to mask as much sound as possible during storms. (I haven't dealt w this personally in our situation so take all this w a grain of salt!)

Bailey's Mom · December 16

My DH's worst sundowning so far…I heard a loud banging in the night and saw a huge shadow of an arm and some poor object being smashed. Went into his room and he was 'killing' a flashlight with a metal bar because he thought it was trying to steal $125,000 from him…we wrapped it up in a plastic bag and deposited it outside in the garbage can…he worried and fretted about it all night though. After he was fully awake the next morning he realized that it was just a dream and that he was safe. This was shortly after he started taking donepezil and hasn't happened to that degree since.

Major Sundowner

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