My mother, who lives with my father and older sister, has had 16 strokes in the past 2 years. 14 of the strokes were TIA, with the last 2 being Ischemic. She is only 64 years old. Her mobility is extremely limited. We are now facing a complete lack of appetite along with Sundowners. The medical professionals she has, have not been helpful in managing symptoms. I have scheduled her with a Neuropsychiatrist to evaluate her emotional state and perhaps start her on an anti-depressant/anti-anxiety medication. She is up all night stating she is not safe and demanding that they hold her. I have ordered her a weighted blanket to help ease some of her anxiety. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Namaste
Meals - follow the old rule of
breakfast like a king
lunch like a prince
dinner like a pauper
AVOID carbs, sugar and caffeine at dinner!
My father also has sundowners... I have noticed that sometimes, playing along helps a lot. To them, whatever is happening in their mind is completely real and they can become even more frustrated and nervous if they feel like no one else understands, which can cause more anxiety for them. Unfortunately, it is a cycle... and sometimes it can be really hard, because our reaction can determine, if the episode continues to build.
My dad is on a medication called Sertraline (Zoloft.)
This medication has helped him tremendously …
We also have started, getting him out of his recliner and in the bed earlier in the evening, which tends to help. A nap during the day helps as well. The doctor told us, my dad needed to be on a set schedule for rest. Changing up the schedule in any way, can cause stress on them, resulting in episodes of anxiety, which causes you stress.
I am definitely not an expert, this is just what I do to help my Daddy. It seems to keep him comfortable and the episodes with sundowners isn't too bad now that we have a routine and medication.
If you need anyone to talk to, I am here.
Praying for you! :)
You take such good care of your father!
I really liked your idea of playing along so they feel like someone understands, lessening the anxiety. I'm glad the Sertraline/Zoloft has helped your dad tremendously. I know both my husband and I have tried it but, we both stopped taking it for different reasons.
And actually, it's recommended that all of us have set sleeping habits regardless of age or whether or not we are even having health issues.
LED's are great they give a nice bright light.
Close blinds and curtains as it gets darker so you do not not get the "mirror effect" when looking at a window.
Keep the same schedule as best you can getting her up at the same time, bed at the same time.
There are herbal teas that might help calm her those might help until she sees a doctor. And if you try one inform the doctor as some herbals can interact with medications just like anything else.
Antianxiety medications might help. It might also take time to find the right med and the right dose so be patient.
*side note on the weighted blanket. I tried one myself and it was terrible, it was so heavy I could not move in bed.
We made sure that nothing was started around the time of the setting sun; we started earlier and carried whatever we were doing through the dinner hour and into the evening, not necessarily creating an overwhelming schedule but making sure that something was always available to do so there wasn't time to become upset and distressed over an issue that didn't exist.
If your mother is awake all night, does she sleep during the day? If so, I would gradually start changing that schedule so that she's awake during the day and can sleep at night.
I think also with so many strokes that just plain anxiety for another stroke, and what might happen then, is a major factor. Strokes can be devastating, and if someone already has dementia, the combination can create a very unsettling scenario and panic mode.
Two other thoughts: the lack of appetite might be caused by meds. Check out the side effects of the ones she's taking and see if appetite loss is a side effect. Or it could be a combination of meds, with one affecting another. But a complete loss of appetite sounds like something serious, such as med side effect or something more seriously amiss in her basic health.
Ambien can cause delusions. If she's taking that, it might account for the evening anxiety.
Good insight about having had so many strokes that she may have anxiety about having another one and like you said, if combined with dementia it most certainly could create a feeling of panic and be very unsettling for her.
Ive had this situation with my client. She would put furniture in front of doors, see images in furniture and shadows and more. Along with owning a personal senior care service I do what is called Raindrop Therapy, its used with particular oils. After taking chemistry on the compounds of the oils I gained understanding what pure unadulterated is. So the following is done with YL oils.
Lavender, Peace and Calming, CBD oil -
Ive used to diffuse, put drop on pillow, put a drop or two on brain stem, massage feet with one of the oils mixed with coconut oil. Also if she was extea active I would empty a drawer, kinda making a mess on her bed...she would organize and then go to bed.
Now when I arrive there is no chair against the front and side door no nightstand against her bedroom door, she has stopped taking shadowds thinking its a person. Also bedroom is a relaxing atmisphere, and I watch what she watches before bedtime. I also have her eat dinner a hour or so before bed, I make sure she does not need to go to the bathroom.
I no longer have this issue and she has advanced dementia. When I arrive her bedroom door is open and she is very peaceful. Science has proven what happens when we smell different things and what it does to the brain. Bless you, I hope this helps.
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