Managing Sundown Syndrome, pt. 6

Managing an elder with Sundown Syndrome can be enriching, and undeniably frustrating. Nobody will tell you this gets easy. Some days and evenings will still be really hard. That’s the nature of dementia, not a reflection of your...

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Managing Sundown Syndrome, pt 5

Here’s the honest truth. This work is exhausting. It carries the emotional toll of watching someone you love experience dementia. You never quite know what each evening will bring. Your own life is put on "hold" while...

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Managing Sundown Syndrome, pt 4

The importance of sleep for elderly parents with dementia can not be overstated. Sleep deprivation makes Sundowning worse. Yet Sundowning itself disrupts sleep. You see the vicious cycle, right? Breaking this cycle means being strict about daytime sleep....

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Managing Sundown Syndrome, pt 3

So, it’s 6 p.m., and despite your best efforts, agitation in your elderly parent is building. What now? How do you manage a Sundowning episode? First, check your own stress level. The elder with dementia can pick...

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Managing Sundown Syndrome, pt. 2

It is very important to create a daily routine, and repetitive structure, for seniors experiencing Sundown Syndrome. When you are caring for someone with dementia, routines aren’t just nice to have. They are essential. The same wake-up time, same...

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Managing Sundown Syndrome, pt. 1

You recognize a shift in behavior. Around 4 p.m. or 5 p.m., your Mom or Dad, who were calm at lunch, suddenly can’t sit still. Or your elderly client starts asking the same question over and over, “When is...

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Preventing Infectious Diseases in Elders, pt 2

As we age, the immune system becomes less effective at fighting off viruses and bacteria. This means catching something like the flu, pneumonia, or shingles can be a lot tougher on older bodies. It can even lead to hospital...

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Preventing Infectious Diseases in Elders, pt 1

Staying healthy as you age comes down to both luck (or genetics) and those things that you can control. Catching infectious diseases is one area where we have a lot of control. With just a few smart habits, seniors...

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How to Recognize Dementia in a Family Member, part 2

We are pleased to continue the following article on recognizing dementia, authored by guest writer Anuradha Bhattacharjee, who works with an eldercare service in India, www.tribecacare.com **************************************************** No need to panic. Knowledge and understanding are key to managing dementia, so here...

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How to Recognize Dementia in a Family Member, part 1

We are pleased to share the following, authored by guest writer Anuradha Bhattacharjee, who works with an eldercare service in India, www.tribecacare.com **************************************************** The first, inexplicable instances of an elderly parent beginning to forget simple things like names or events or...

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