HOW TO MANAGE Sundowning, Mixed Up Days and Nights, Night Time Wandering

[@luciandlemstabler5917]

Thank you ! I had a time with my husband lately at bedtime saying he wanted ambien,he wanted Advil,he couldn’t sleep.He would say his hip hurt.The next morning he said he had no pain in his hip.I started giving him 2 magnesium pills one at a time .I said this one is for your pain and this one is for your insomnia. This satisfies him now. I learned sooo much about his brain from this video. Thank you sooo much!

[@loriwade5625]

Excellent explanation of the Working dementia Brain and how It affects sundowners! Have never heard the statement" the brain is tired," but It certainly explains a lot of why the behavior occurs. My 86 yr old mom in a Care home goes thru it more often lately. Even though Caregiver gives the meds, mom still Extremely Anxious to leave and caregiver calls me to talk with mom. Thank you Vicky for such deep insight that I can share! L O V E your videos!!

[@mariatrotter6889]

I’ve watched this before watching again . Thank you Vicky for your easy to follow explanation. It works . I’ve learned so much from you . Love your nail polish

[@jimbull6630]

My 93 year old mom starts about three in the afternoon wanting to go home to her mothers or wanting to go to her house,or She asks me to call me so I will come get her and take her home to the house she has lived in for 60 years at these times she doesn't recognize me or the house that we are still living in. She has just started trying to get out and leave in the middle of the night shaking and rattling the front door. It's been six years since I retired early to keep her in her home I am about ready to give up on keeping her at home.

[@jeanettesdaughter]

Nothing works here so far. She denies being up all night insisting she just got up. Usually after 72 hours of up and down all night : three floors! Moving things, cooking things, yikes! - packing, unpacking, TV, phone whatever, she collapses and is difficult to arouse. Appreciate the explanation but I had hoped for solutions.

[@DementiaWithGrace]

So glad it helped!! Love you!!

[@roquerenteria7684]

My 90 year old mother in law has sundowners and it’s exhausting. I know I’m tired but I feel sorry for her because she wears herself out 😩

[@nanolight4337]

1) stay away from the agitated crazy behaviors and 2) lock the doors so your neighbors don’t have to deal with it too 3) put in headphones and do not let the anxiety of shuffle steps breathing hard and talking to self cause you to lose your peace. Stay away from the madness as much as possible. If violent, go lock yourself in bathroom or bedroom. FTD is not picnic for family to go through and the anti psychotic meds are named anti psychotic because they are psychotic! Mum doesn’t know who we are where she is and pines away that her husband is traveling somewhere. Cannot fix a broken brain nor someone that clearly hates the daughter she does not recognize. Bitter people are bitter and I had to get my head around my role. Clean place to live healthy food meds taken and a door locked so no falls or silver alerts. I am not a staff in nursing home. It is good enough better than most. Makes you want to open the door and say good bye!

[@DementiaWithGrace]

I completely understand this frustration of this comment! Please know that you are not alone. If you haven’t already, please join the group you will find so much help from caregivers in your situation. All my love.

[@MrsCluffRN]

Hang in there. I too take care of my 78yo MomInLaw. Some other family members call it “living here for free”. Just calm your mind, protect your peace. Do WHATEVER you have to do so everyone is safe . I haven’t showered in a week. Have had to take sponge baths . I’m a disabled 50 something yr old. But because I’m not in a wheelchair people quickly forget I can’t do what I used to do as a full time RN with 3 young kids. I had to literally STOP caring about others opinions - and protect my relationship w my Hero of a Husband, my sanity, and THEN her needs, . I’m praying for us all. DONT GIVE UP. Remember THIS TOO SHALL PASS. God bless u

[@MrsCluffRN]

And yes, I turn off all lights, unscrew lightbulbs, even nightlights are off we have bedrooms that face each other - but I have to sleep so I use earplugs- my husband will hear if anything happens - she wears diapers so no trip to BR (but we do potty time, brush teeth, meds, cover up, lights out. ALL LIGHTS OUT AND TV off. Lock doors to outside.

[@MrsCluffRN]

Not the safest approach but when most care (and I mean 24/7 365) is provided by one person with some relief after my husband and oldest daughter get home, and maybe a max 6-7 day respite once, maybe twice a year - my priority has to be #1: STAY SANE. LOL I try and find humorous entertainment as I find that laughter really sincerely IS my best medicine.

[@foxiefair123]

She seems to ramp up the later it gets. She watches TV all night.

[@aldofromsf]

Melatonin 1 mg works wonders regulating sleep and you can buy it over the counter.

[@cherylhickson8296]

melatonin doesn't seem to help my husband; his daughter who is an RN recommended respedol (I'm sure I didn't spell that right. I will check with his nurse about that.

[@tanacollier3267]

Melatonin doesn't work for my Dad. He is 81. He was up to 15-20 mg before we quit that. He is not tired enough for it to work as he naps off & on all day because he is up at 4:15 am in the morning, unlocking doors and wandering around the house.

[@DementiaWithGrace]

The book is ready!! www.amazon.com/dp/B07BVTH4DW/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_c_api_pLoXAbST0PK72