Are you a caregiver for a senior family member with Alzheimer's? If so, you may have experienced the challenges of sundowning and its disrupting effect on afternoon and evening schedules. Let's discuss how sundowning can affect a caregiver's evening routine and how it might make it harder to manage various responsibilities and personal needs. We'll also explore flexible solutions to address these disruptions.
The Effects of Sundowning on a Caregiver's Daily Routine
Sundowning is a phenomenon that affects people with Alzheimer's and other types of dementia, causing them to become more confused, agitated, and restless at the end of the day. That can upend the lives of a household.
A caregiver isn't just responsible for the well-being of their senior loved one. You've got all the other responsibilities that come with being an adult, especially if you're a parent. Here's how sundowning episodes make daily life more challenging, especially if you have to juggle it all yourself:
Interruption of Afternoon and Evening Routines for Kids
If you have young children at home, putting them to bed can be challenging, as your senior loved one may experience increased agitation during this time. This could lead to disturbances in your children's sleep patterns, affecting their overall health and well-being.
Do you have older kids? They might have difficulty completing homework assignments, affecting their grades.
Chaotic Mealtimes
Sundowning episodes often happen when caregiving families are preparing meals or sitting down to eat, thus, affecting a caregiver's evening routine. This might mean that family members eat quicker-to-prepare but less-than-nutritious meals, affecting their health. Also, the time families spend together at the dinner table is important for healthy adult relationships and child development, and that time needs to be protected from disruption.
Less Time for Caregivers to Take Care of Themselves
When you're busy managing the effects of sundowning, it's tough to find the time to take care of yourself. Neglecting self-care can lead to increased stress and a higher risk of caregiver burnout, both of which can harm your physical and mental health. This, in turn, reduces your capacity to properly care for your senior loved one and the other important people in your life.
How a Professional Caregiver Can Help
If you need help managing your loved one’s sundowning, consider hiring a professional caregiver to step in and provide respite. A caregiver with expertise in Alzheimer's and dementia care can provide valuable assistance in managing your loved one's symptoms, giving you some much-needed relief. They'll know how to engage with the senior in a calming, empathetic manner, so you can focus on an afternoon and evening routine for yourself.
Help Is Within Reach
Addressing the effects of sundowning and how it can affect a caregiver's evening routine is essential to ensure your, your kids, and your senior loved one’s well-being. Understanding its potential impacts allows you to manage these challenges better. This helps you create a more supportive and calming environment for your loved one while reducing your stress and your family’s.
If you live in Westford, Tewksbury, Lowell, or Concord, Massachusetts, and are seeking assistance for your senior loved one, contact us at Senior Helpers Westford. Our trained and experienced caregivers can assist with everything from meal preparation to light housework. Your loved one deserves the best care available, and you deserve the help and self-care necessary to thrive as a family caregiver.