In the world of Dementia, there is a thing called "Sundowning". What is it? Google says this, "Sundown syndrome, also known as sundowning, is a set of dementia-related symptoms that can include increased confusion, agitation, and anxiety in the late afternoon or early evening. It's not a disease, but a neurological phenomenon that can occur at any stage of dementia, though it's more common in the later stages". And for more information, just visit the Alzheimer Association website.
For the past week or so, my mother has been in a state of sundowning and I know when it is going to happen. I did my best to keep it at bay, and do some things to help redirect her recently. But of course, her stubborn, independent self, fight me on just about everything, and I have to live in hell pretty much every day!
Of course, after talking to her doctor and added a second dose of a medication she is already taking, things has not improved. I had another day of staying up well over 12 hours. This time it was 18 and a half hours and watching her through the camera, it hurt my heart, to watch her in a state of confusion, but yet stubbornness. Crazy part is, there are days that things are almost normal, and once you start putting your guard down, boom...back in the land of confusion and chaos!
And now today, I call it a meltdown because when she spends to much time changing clothes first thing in the morning, confusion follows right between. I was thinking it was because of the weather, but now I see it's totally something else. She had two pretty good days, but last night after sleeping for an hour, she got up like it was morning, changed her clothes and everything. This was at 8:15 pm. So her sleep was interrupted, not enough for the rest of the night and 2 hours changing clothes, does not make for a good morning. I got to make changes to bring her confusion down, so I can get rid of the stress in my body.
Need a hard reset...
😪😭 I hate this for her .....
ReplyDelete