Mom has had sundowners for about four months. These episodes require me to physically restrain her to the house. It is so tiring and unpleasant that i am going to have to send her away from the home for care. Dr tred risperadole but only has been on it for about a week. When she is in these episodes nothing calms her down so far. Any people who have seen this before and for how long? I am really tired and am her sole caregiver. Help! tonio
Is the doctor who is treating Mom a specialist in dementia, or in treating the elderly? I ask because there are cautions about using risperidone in elderly dementia patients. That doesn't mean it should never be done -- but I'd have more confidence in such a prescription if it were given by a specialist who weighs the risks and benefits in this particular population frequently than if given by one who seldoms deals with elderly dementia patients.
If this med doesn't work or has unacceptable side effects, there are others that can be tried. The situation isn't hopeless. It really helps to be working with a specialist! If you aren't now, I recommend that as a first step.
Does your mother's agitation start in the early evening or after she is in bed?
With my husband, it was after he was in bed, and the solution that has enabled him to live at hom for the 9 years since he was diagnosed is seroquel, at a small dosage. (Recently we were without seroquel for several days and that confirmed how helpful the drug really is for us, and that it was still needed!) I'm not suggesting that is what your mother should have -- just that there are many drugs that could be tried and there is hope that one of them will help you both!
I hope the doctor has also directed you to literature about non-drug approaches, such as lighting that banishes shadows, having a consistent routine, etc. I don't think that there is anything that is known to work all the time for every patient, but it is well worth trying the hints experts have come up with.
Again, hugs to you as you deal with this very vexing aspect of dementia.
So I agree with lorain, talk to your doctor about switching her med and get a good rest at night.
What was helpful with her when she was in IL was to have torch style floor lamps set on timers. Table lamps she would mess with but not the floor style - why...wthk. Anyway we set it so that room was filled with light at 7AM - 10 AM and then 5:00 - 9:30PM really made a big difference and took about 3 weeks to kick in. Especially good for those days which are gloomy and they get confused.
Where does she go to? You might want to let her go and then shadow her so you have an idea of what her "plan" is. For whatever reason, a lot of them will go to a bus stop - even if they were not the type to take the bus as an adult. We had a neighbor whose dad always went to the water fountain at the nearby school, happy as a clam too. Good luck and keep a sense of humor.
It is interesting that bright lights worked for you. That is an easy thing to try. Timing of medications is an important consideratin, too. You were clever in helping your mom. Thanks for sharing.
With dementia, being clever is an ongoing thing!!! Don't EVER wanna get caught behind the 8-ball on THAT one!