I even found an elder home with others his age. The night time disruption worsened . He does get quite agitated and has tried leaving many times as well as contacting police. He is back to hospital awaiting LTC. What should I do??? During the day he is almost NORMAL ..I feel like some of this may be a medication issue. The anxiety and stress over getting him the best care is debilitating to myself. I don’t know if I dare to try another care private home?? Each time he is discharged I’m assured he is doing well! Most recently he climbed out the window (10feet), got into neighborhood cars , destroyed his beautiful room we set up at the care home with 3 others his age (he has always been very social ). The home was also 15 minutes from our family. We were allowed to pick him up anytime visit ect. A dream come true I had thought. I know with covid and rules of LTC we won’t even be able to visit?
Any advice? It’s all so new and heartbreaking.
Curious why your Dad had spent weeks in a hospital? Has your Dad been tested for an Urinary Tract Infection? Such an infection can mimic dementia.
Please talk to the hospital about ruling out any type of infection and getting some medications on board for sundowning. He will do better not having a nightly melt down from this very difficult situation.
I would interview other small facilities near you and ask how they deal with sundowning, but get yourself educated 1st, a good facility will have a plan for dealing with this behavior.
Great big warm hug! I know how difficult this situation is for you, be sure and take care of you while you are dealing with this, it is to easy for you to be totally consumed by it. Get rest, eat well and take breaks that feel like you are getting a break.
Having him checked for the dreaded UTI is wise, always as a first line.
Secondly, medication for the anxiety that seems to come with Sundowners. He'll sleep better and feel better during the day.
Constantly having to move him to a new facility would be awful. Hopefully with the first 2 lines of defense will settle him down.
i will mention to the doctors tomm regarding a UTI as of now he does still use bathroom day and night.
they finally after 10 phone calls prescribed trazadone 100mg night time along with melatonin and Seroquel
it only gave him 3 hours of sleep 12-3am which isn’t enough for any caregiver ....or him!!
he is a canadate to be evaluated at a specialty elderly demensia care unit for a few weeks before placing him in a LTC.
im hoping medication will help with this behavior late afternoon and evenings which he really is a super friendly nice guy...