Sundowning is a common condition among people with Alzheimer’s disease in which symptoms of confusion and irritation increase drastically in the late afternoon and evening. While sundowning is much more moderate in some people than others, for some it can be an almost daily dramatic event. Outbursts of anger and irrational thinking; confusion and yelling; sometimes even physical assault. So what are we supposed to do as caretakers in this tough situation?

-This is a good time to remember that your loved one is taking their medication at timely intervals each day.

-One of the most important things to keep in mind in the face of these outbursts is that these behaviors are not directed at you, nor do they reflect who you are as a person. You must feel confident in your decisions and directions, and remember that although your loved one may have been the sharp person that used to be of sound mind and was the decision maker, that is sadly not who they are anymore. Their actions reflect their disease.

-Let the person be alone during these times of struggle as much as possible. However, make sure that they are safe.

-Keep things calm in the evening. Try to keep sleep routines as regular as possible.

-Here are some ways to react to the person who is sundowning:

-Speak in a low, non-accusatory voice

-Agree with them as much as possible

-Ask if they need anything

-Reassure them that everything is okay

-On some occasions, leave the room and come back, which helps reset the conversation.

Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s can be a lot of hard work. As always, make sure to get enough time for yourself, and practice self-care.

Click HERE to read the original article at Eldercareanswers.com

As posted on the Huffington Post 2/9/16 by Anita Kamiel, RN

Being a caregiver for an elderly adult can be filled with challenging and unforeseen situations that many relatives are not well prepared to handle. Managing all the details and logistics required for situating an elderly parent either in their home after a hospital stay or in a facility of some kind can be daunting for a child or senior spouse.

This is when it is often a good idea to hire a professional geriatric care manager (GCM). What is a geriatric care manager? GCMs are often social workers, but they could be nurses or psychologists or someone in a geriatric health related field, that specialize in the problems and care associated with the elderly. They are certified by an independent agency to manage all aspects of aging adults. GCM’s are totally familiar with Medicare, Medicaid, hospitals, rehab centers and home care through both private pay and long term care insurance. They can provide the all important continuity of care when there are multiple professionals to manage and/or when transitions need to be made. Lastly, they can also provide useful input for resources pertaining to a specific health situation.

GCMs work as advocates geriatric patients in a variety of settings and visit the client on a regular basis. They and their team are available for 24/7 by phone to the patient and family for emergencies, updates and consultation and are able to take charge if a problem arises. They charge by the hour after an initial consultation fee and can be a godsend if the family lives far away.

Click HERE to read the full article on Eldercareanswers.com

Being a caregiver for someone can be a very exhausting experience. We get so wrapped up in the day-to-day tasks that are included with the responsibilities of caregiving that we forget to take necessary time for ourselves and can thus have difficulty making decisions on our own. Of course, if the person we are caring for has dementia and is a loved one, there will most likely be a certain level of guilt or stress associated with making important decisions for them—especially if you are caring for that person mostly on your own.

Below are two telephone numbers for helpful and compassionate caregiver hotlines to call if you are seeking advice on how to handle a certain situation for the person you are caring for, need feedback on an important decision, or if you just need to talk about your role as a caregiver.

Eldercare Services: The folks at Eldercare are so helpful and can connect you with resources like:

• Finding a caregiver
• Psychology services
• Setting up a caregiver management plan

The Friendship Line is also incredibly supportive. They provide free resources like:

• Crisis intervention
• Well-being checkups – have your loved one receive daily or bi-daily calls to see how they’re doing
• Counseling and bereavement support

Caregiver hotlines are a useful tool that can be beneficial to you and your loved one. I strongly recommend setting up a regular check in system for both yourself and for the person you care for. By having someone place a daily call to your loved one with dementia, this relieves some pressure off of you by adding one more set of eyes and ears on the person you’re caring for. It is also just a comforting and engaging moment of one’s day to receive a call from someone who cares.

Click HERE to read the original article at Eldercareanswers.com

Almost 30% of us are currently caring for a family member, according to research by the Family Caregiver Alliance. As Baby Boomers grow older, the number of that generation needing some kind of care, help, or support will rise.

Most families and individuals are unprepared for this new role and only accept it because it is thrust upon them by an accident, a new medical diagnosis, or age related changes in sensory or mobility functions. We, as a caring family, do our best because sometimes we are “it” and because we truly love and care for the elders in our life and want to give back to them for all that they did for us in years past.

The issue is that we step into this tricky situation without the resources or tools that would help us; not because we are not smart, but because we often don’t know what to ask for or what we should be receiving to assist us in our new role as “family caregiver.”

Read the full article HERE

Click HERE to learn more about Eldercare Services

The act of taking care of someone who is unable to care for themselves either because of the aging process or illness, is not an easy task. Many family members take on this monumental effort without realizing the extensive toll that it can take on them and those around them. At-home, extended care and hospice caregivers are a special blend of compassion and professional knowledge.

Not every health care professional can manage long term caregiving. This being said, family members also shouldn’t be discouraged if they find it overwhelming. It takes a huge amount of patience to deal with someone in pain or suffering confusion from Dementia or Alzheimer’s. Seeking the help of professionals can allow loved ones to focus on savoring the interaction with their loved ones, and maintaining the positive feelings and emotions that are so critical to our family connections.

For more information on options for your loved ones and family, there is a treasure trove of resources available online. Many websites can aid in finding support in your area, such as Family Caregivers Online  and Caregiver Action Network.

Many of these sites are offer peer networks and forums. It often helps to share your uncertainties, questions and concerns with others experiencing or who have experienced what you are going through.

As humans, our natural instinct can be to take on the responsibility of caring for our families, and that should always be honored. But seeking professional help is never a failure to care, but in fact can be a great assistance not only to the patient but to the family as well.

Click HERE to learn more about Eldercare Services