Sundowning and senior citizens

What is sundowning?

Sundowning is the name for a group of behaviors, feelings and thoughts people who have Alzheimer's or dementia can experience as the sun sets. The behaviors start or get worse around sunset or sundown. However, this delirium can potentially occur at any time, not just at sunset.

Also known as late-day confusion, sundowners syndrome or sundown syndrome, sundowning is most often experienced by people with dementia, a group of symptoms that can affect:

• Memory.

• Thinking.

• Personality.

• Reasoning.

• Behavior.

• Mood.

Around 20% of people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease experience sundowning at some point.

What are sundowning behaviors, feelings and thoughts?

Some of the behaviors associated with sundowning are specific to the time of day, while other behaviors can be common at any time for a person with dementia.

Behaviors associated with sundowning include:

• Pacing.

• Rocking in a chair.

• Wandering.

• Violence.

• Shadowing. This is when the individual follows their caregiver very closely,

• everywhere they go.

• Crying.

• Insomnia.

• Yelling.

People who experience sundowning can feel many emotions as a result, including:

• Sadness.

• Anxiety.

• Fear.

• Agitation.

• Restlessness.

• Irritability.

Sundowning can also lead to certain mental states, such as:

• Confusion.

• Paranoia.

• Delusions and hallucinations.

What makes sundowning worse?

Sundowning can get worse when the person with dementia is sleep-deprived. But there are theories about certain triggers that can make sundowning worse, including:

• Disrupted circadian rhythms (sleep-wake cycles).

• Insomnia or other common sleep disorders.

• Infection.

• Dehydration.

• Side effects of medications.

• Problems with seeing the difference between reality and dreams.

• Physical illnesses.

• Pain.

• Fatigue (tiredness).

• Overstimulation from a busy day.

• Low lighting.

How long does sundowning last?

Sundown syndrome begins during the middle and later stages of Alzheimer’s disease and usually continues as long as triggers (listed above) continue.

What is the treatment for sundowner’s syndrome?

Treating the underlying trigger is the most important way to resolve sundowning. But there are other options for treating symptoms of sundowning.

Nonmedication treatments include:

• Light therapy.

• Music therapy.

• Environmental changes. Keep familiar objects (such as family photos) nearby.

• Ensure your loved one has adequate lighting in their environment during the day and darkness at bedtime. Also if your loved one wears eyeglasses or hearing aids, make sure these are available.

What medications are used for sundowner’s syndrome?

The individual behaviors, feelings and thoughts of people who go through sundowning can sometimes be treated with medications. Examples include:

• Antidepressant medications.

• Antianxiety medications.

• Antipsychotics. (These should be used with caution as they have long-term

• risks of stroke.)

• Melatonin to help with sleep.

• If you’re caring for someone experiencing sundown syndrome, you can take the

• following steps to help them settle in at bedtime:

• Make their bedroom room quiet. Turn down all noises such as televisions and

• other electronic devices.

• Play quiet music that’s soothing and gentle.

• Read to the person.

• Do a simple activity — enjoy a snack together, work on an easy puzzle or watch a favorite show.

• Practice sleep hygiene by having your loved one go to bed at the same time, in the same place every night.

• Identifying what causes sundowning behaviors, feelings and thoughts is the best way to help your loved one. For example, if they have insomnia, it might be because they had a very busy, overstimulating day. The proper treatment may be to give them a simpler, easier schedule with fewer people, sights and sounds.

How can I prevent sundowning?

There might be some things you can do to prevent sundowning and lessen the

severity. Try the following:

• Make sure your loved one gets enough rest at night.

• Avoid caffeinated drinks after the morning.

• Avoid drinking too much alcohol.

• Try to help your loved one get plenty of sunlight during the day by sitting by

• a window or going out for walks.

• Exercise every day.

• If a nap is necessary, make it short and early in the day.

• Plan some activities throughout the day but not too many.

When should sundowning be treated by a healthcare provider?

Sundowning symptoms should be addressed by a healthcare provider as soon as possible to create a treatment plan. Contact your primary healthcare provider, or talk with a geriatrician (a doctor who cares for people over the age of 65).

Keep in mind that your loved one with sundown syndrome may not understand or be able to communicate that they’re extra agitated because, for example, they’re in pain from a urinary tract infection or other condition. They may need an advocate to prompt a healthcare provider for appropriate tests.

Source: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22840-sundown-syndrome

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6 natural remedies to cure cough in senior citizens

Using natural remedies to treat cough in aging loved ones is an excellent way to treat the cough itself and the underlying cause of it. When you choose home remedies and essential oils over prescription drugs, you can rest assured that your loved one will be treated with the utmost care and respect without having to worry about side effects or other complications. There are many natural cough remedies that aging loved ones can use to treat a cough successfully, so let’s look at them now!

Honey Tea

You can prepare it at home by boiling 1⁄2 teaspoon of honey in a cup of water, adding a slice of lemon and ginger to it. You should drink 1-2 cups every day. This tea can soothe your throat and treat cough naturally.

Chewing Fennel Seeds

Fennel seeds are good for treating cough as they help decongest your airways. You can make powder out of them by mixing them with rock salt in an equal proportion, storing it in an airtight container, and using it whenever you need to treat cough. You should chew 1-2 teaspoons of this mixture every morning on an empty stomach for about two weeks to reduce symptoms related to cold and cough.

Ginger

Ginger has long been used as a natural remedy for many ailments, and it turns out it’s particularly effective for curing coughs. The active ingredients in ginger are isosteroidal anti-inflammatory compounds called gingerols that have immune system stimulating properties. Many studies have found that consuming fresh ginger does help alleviate cough symptoms when you feel like your lungs are filling up with phlegm. Ginger is also an excellent carminative that aids in digestion by eliminating gas from our intestines—it’s a great addition to any meal! You can consume powdered ginger mixed with hot water or try incorporating freshly grated ginger into soups or stews.

Fluids

If a person has a productive cough, it is important to ensure that they are staying hydrated. Fluids will thin out mucus and help with clearing congestion from your lungs. Try water and herbal teas as a starting point for liquids. When choosing beverages, look for low-sugar options or add honey or maple syrup for flavor without extra calories or sugar. If you’re not feeling up to drinking, consider something thicker like soup broth instead of water. These liquids will help rehydrate your body while making you feel better at the same time.

Steam

A hot shower or bath can help ease a cough by opening up your nasal passages and allowing you to breathe more easily. This is why many people find a warm cup of tea or hot chicken soup helps with coughs (note: steer clear of sugar, honey, and anything else that can lead to choking). If you don’t have time for a hot shower or bath, try adding a few drops of eucalyptus oil to your steaming pot of water—it’ll loosen your congestion and make it easier to breathe.

We hope you have found the article worth-reading not only for yourself but also for your parents who are in senior citizen bracket.

Adapted from: https://www.rittenhousevillages.com/assisted-living-blog/7-natural-remedies-to-treat-cough-in-seniors/

Foods to avoid during monsoon

Although during monsoon we enjoy having khichdi (or khichuri) for lunch with a dash of lemon and various fried items like papad, fish, potato etc. yet there are certain things which are best avoided. In July 20, 2021 an article was published in The Times of India ‘Foods that you should avoid during monsoons’ is quite pertinent. That monsoon has not yet picked-up the momentum in this part of the country is a different story altogether. We reproduce the article:

1. Mushroom: Mushrooms are most prone to insects and bacteria during monsoons because of the moisture-laden atmosphere. Mushrooms are in close proximity to soil and the damp air creates the perfect environment for bacteria to thrive. Bacteria-infected mushrooms might not be visible to the naked eye but can give rise to stomach infections and diseases. Thus, it is best to stay away from mushrooms during the rainy season.

2. Sour food: Sour foods like pickles, chutney, sour candies, tamarind etc must be avoided during monsoons. Such sour foods can cause water retention in the body, which can make you feel bloated. Tangy foods during monsoons can cause throat ache and ultimately fever.

3. Roadside juices: Juices might offer an instant relief during hot and humid weather but can also lead to trouble. Street vendors usually cut the fruit in advance which makes them the perfect breeding ground for bacteria. If you want, you can prepare fruit juice at home or opt for coconut water, jaljeera and lemonade.

4. Seafood: The risk of contamination through water is highest during monsoons. Thus, foods like fish, prawns, shrimp etc pose the highest risk of infection. Seafood can be an active carrier of infection which might prevail even after proper washing and cooking. Thus, it is best to stick to chicken and other non-veg dishes during monsoons and avoid seafood for a few days.

5. Leafy vegetables: Even though leafy vegetables are super nutritious for your body and should be an integral part of your diet, you must abstain from eating them for a few weeks during the monsoons. The hot and humid weather of summer and monsoon combined can make the green leafy veggies go bad in no time. Due to the dampness in the air, vegetables like spinach and cabbage are highly susceptible to germs. So, opt for fresh seasonal vegetables and make sure to cook them properly.

We hope you have enjoyed reading the article and also share it with your near and dear ones.