Sundowners Syndrome: Facts, Misconceptions, & Tips for Care

Sundowners syndrome,” “sundowning,” and other similar terms are commonly used in hospitals and long-term care environments when older patients become confused or agitated in the late afternoon, evening, or nighttime. But did you know that the whole concept of sundowning is somewhat controversial? This topic makes some caregivers and medical professionals uncomfortable for exactly that reason. They believe that opportunities for better care and treatment of patients with dementia may get missed due to this concept being too casually used to explain problematic behavior.

That’s why it’s essential to understand what sundowning is—and what it’s not. When you know how and why terminology like “sundown syndrome” gets applied (or misapplied) to various behaviors, you can take steps to improve the quality of life for the person you care about. This article will help clarify some of the popular misconceptions you may have encountered.

Read the entire article HERE for more detailed information.

This information provided courtesy of Great Senior Living.

Americans Are Moving for Retirement: Find Out Where

retiree moving different stateA recent study on moving patterns for retirees in the United States found that hundreds of thousands of Americans who retire each year are choosing to move somewhere other than where they currently live. That’s especially true in the past year, as 30 percent more people moved for retirement in 2020 than did the year before, a continuation of a trend in place since 2012. Roughly one-fourth of those chose to move away from cities and metropolitan areas, and about 40 percent moved to a different state. Florida has long been the number one destination for Americans leaving their state for retirement, although Virginia was the most popular destination in 2020.

Read the entire article HERE for more detailed information.

Connecting with Someone Living with Dementia

communicate person dementiaIf you’re visiting or reconnecting with a friend or loved one who is living with dementia, you may face some communication challenges. But don’t let that keep you from connecting. Here are some suggestions to help you overcome those challenges and have engaging conversations, stay connected and maintain your relationship.

Create an inviting space to talk – Whenever possible, have conversations in a quiet space with fewer distractions and pressures. Turn off the TV or other electronics so you can both focus on each other and your conversation. Establishing and maintaining eye contact during the conversation can also help.

Set the tone – What you say and how you say it are important when communicating with anyone, but it’s especially true when you’re talking with someone living with dementia. Be brief and to the point, avoid open-ended questions, and remember that your loved one is not to blame for his or her communication challenges and they’re not trying to be difficult.

Stay in the moment – If a person living with dementia gets confused about details, roll with it and avoid correcting them. If you make small adjustments in how you communicate, you make the most of every conversation.

Read the entire article HERE for more detailed information.

This information provided courtesy of Brookdale Senior Living, excerpted from an article written by Juliet Holt Klinger, MA, Expert on Dementia Care

Make Managing Medications Easier

manage prescriptionsTo be effective, medicine must be taken safely and according to prescribing guidelines. In addition, patients and health care providers should both be vigilant about the dangers of drug interactions.

Seniors take more prescription and over-the-counter drugs than any other age group. Researchers for the National Center for Biotechnology Information estimate that 25% of people ages 65 to 69 take at least five prescription drugs to treat chronic conditions. That jumps to almost 46% for those between the ages of 70 and 79.

While doctors prescribe medication to treat a range of chronic conditions from arthritis to diabetes to high blood pressure, managing medications can be difficult for multiple reasons:

  • Many meds and many prescribers — Multiple medications are often prescribed by multiple doctors who may or may not be aware of other prescriptions the patient is already taking. Taking a large number of medications can increase the risk of a drug interaction, which can be very harmful.
  • Adverse side effects — Nausea, constipation, skin rashes, insomnia and dizziness are some common drug side effects.
  • Lack of knowledge — Not understanding exactly what the medication is supposed to do, and discontinuing use.
  • Physical challenges — Age-related physical challenges such as hearing or vision loss, dexterity issues or trouble swallowing can make it difficult to take medications as prescribed.
  • Cognitive challenges — Seniors with memory loss or dementia may forget to take their medications as prescribed.
  • Cost — Even with Medicare and supplemental health insurance, many medications can come with a hefty price tag.

Other factors can make medication management difficult. Read the entire article HERE to see eight tips may help you get your medications under control.

This information provided courtesy of Brookdale Senior Living, excerpted from an article written by Kim Elliott, RN, Expert on Healthy Aging