Communities take proactive approach to ދsundowningތ
Twenty percent of seniors with dementia will experience anxiety or restlessness late in the day in a process known as “sundowning,” according to the Alzheimer’s Association.
Sundowning occurs in mid- to advanced stages of dementia and can be triggered by the change in daylight, an overwhelming environment or simply boredom.
However, two local senior communities have found ways to help residents battle this behavioral change.
Retirement Center Management’s Village Neighborhoods offer a memory care program that takes a proactive approach to sundowning, according to Toni Craig, corporate director of resident programs.
Residents have a full calendar, with activities such as baking, gardening, pet therapy exercise and sing-a-longs throughout the day. Memory care stations are also available in RCM’s Village
communities. A sewing station, for example, will feature supplies needed for residents to knit, while a man-cave station will have materials needed to construct tubing.
The most important component is sticking to a schedule, Craig said. The sundowning senior often feels overwhelmed with their environment, anxious about what to do next, or both. Therefore, Bingo or non-alcoholic Happy Hour will always fall on the same days and times in the week to jog residents’ memories.
Memory care residents at the Village communities also have access to a touch-screen computer system known as “It’s Never Too Late,” or (iN2L). This program features social, intellectual, physical, cognitive and spiritual applications that can be used individually or with a group.
Through iN2L, residents also can have a custom page created to store favorite games, music, photos and videos in one location.
While the iN2L system has been effective to redirect and calm sundowning residents, Craig said she is also passionate about incorporating more music-related activities in residents’ schedules.
“With music, memory care residents respond incredibly,” Craig said. “Some are tapping their foot and singing words when previously they were just sitting.”
In The Cottages, a senior community whose entire population suffers from different types of memory disorders, residents also follow a seven-day routine.
“They wake up, brush their teeth and comb their hair at the same time every day,” said Lynda Canas, vice president of operation for The Cottages. “Any change is difficult for residents.”
About 40 percent of Cottages residents experience sundowning, said Canas, who has 25 years of experience as a nurse caring for dementia patients. To further prevent sundowning, The Cottages keep their hallways brightly lit, and only dim lights in a resident’s room when they are sleeping.
Canas said she also encourages some residents to take a 45-minute “power nap” after lunch to calm their minds. On the other hand, residents who have problems sleeping at night are encouraged to stay active in the afternoon.
Music therapy has been a success at The Cottages since they started the program six years ago, Canas said. Residents have responded well to listening to their favorite music on iPods, and they’ve since added wireless headphones to their music program.
“One resident couldn’t communicate and wouldn’t sit down,” Canas said. “Now he’s absolutely changed (through the music program).”
For those caring for seniors at home with dementia, Canas recommended keeping a journal for four or five days to keep track of triggers and signs of sundowning.
Pay attention to the time of day the senior gets agitated, and write down what the noise level is like or what is going on in the environment at the time. If the senior is argumentative, redirect them into a different conversation or an activity they enjoy, she said.
“Dealing with (a sundowning senior) is like being a detective,” Canas said. “You have to find out what works for them.”