Home Care Services: Does the Winter Solstice Impact Sundowning?
Home Care Services: The winter solstice falls on December 21st.
It’s the day when the amount of night is longest, limiting the amount of daylight. When you have a parent who is sundowning, you might find this is one of the toughest days to help keep a sense of calm. Often sundowning is most pronounced during certain times of day, often when the sunlight is dim and shadowy. On the day with the shortest daylight, you or your home care services provider might find your mom or dad won’t settle. The pacing, following you around, and delusions are worse than you could imagine.
Home Care Services in Ardmore PA: Sundowning
Tips That Can Help Ease the Distress
Create a routine that doesn’t change much. Get your mom or dad used to breakfast at 8 a.m., shower and oral care at 9:30 a.m., a walk at 10:30 a.m., etc. Stick to that routine daily. The repetition helps instill a sense of the expected that can help eliminate mood swings.
Make sure your parent is getting outside for fresh air and natural sunlight. A daily walk is an excellent way to lower stress and reduce the anxiety that can build during the day.
Program the lights in common areas to turn on 30 minutes before the sun starts to set. If you don’t have timers, make sure you set the alarm on a phone or watch so that you’re reminded to turn the lights on. Light fixtures and bulbs that mimic natural sunlight can also help.
Sometimes, a nap in the early afternoon can help your parents recharge. It helps ease some of the stress and frustration that increases the chances of a sundowning episode.
Talk to your mom or dad’s doctor about medications or supplements that help with mood. You might find that an antidepressant is enough to stop sundowning from happening. Some people find melatonin supplements to be helpful.
Finally, when your mom or dad is most likely to experience agitation or angry outbursts, make that a busy time of day. If there’s a fun activity going on when sundowning occurs, it can help bypass the anxiety and frustration that triggers the outburst.
You Need to Take Care Of Yourself
What can you do when your parent is hallucinating, paranoid, and highly agitated? This is where you need to address the need for 24-hour home care. It’s important for both you and your mom or dad.
Your parent’s restlessness and anxiety shouldn’t impact your well-being. Schedule assistance from a 24-hour home care services agency to make sure you have opportunities to sleep, run errands, or enjoy time away with friends and family. Make the call to have caregivers helping out.
If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring Home Care Services in Ardmore, PA, please contact the friendly staff at Suma Home Care. (484) 206-4544
Ibrahim recently completed a Professional Certificate in Management; He is currently pursuing a Masters in Business Administrations (MBA) at a prestigious university in the UK.
With their passion for helping others and a strong background in customer services and clinical care, Ibrahim and his wife started assisting individuals in their homes.
Since started and operating Suma Home Care in 2010 in the basement of their home, Suma Home Care has provided professionals who work endlessly in providing clients with the highest quality of care, while enabling clients to maintain dignity, comfort and safety in their homes.
Suma Home Care, serves four counties in Pennsylvania, Delaware, Chester, Montgomery and Philadelphia. Ibrahim is firmly connected to his local community and is always looking for ways to give back whenever the opportunity presents itself.
Ibrahim enjoys spending time with his wife and children, travelling and enjoys sports.
Mariama Suma-Keita BSN RN
Born in Sierra Leone west Africa, relocated to America in 1999 from a civil war and settled since in the U.S.A as a Naturalized citizen Graduated from National school of nursing with an associate , and completed BSN in Nursing from Immaculata University graduated with Honor roll Alpha Lambda sigma, After escaping the war served as a refugee nurse in Gambia and Guinea to other displaced refugees before coming to America.
In the states started in Homecare then then transition into hospital, worked in Jefferson hospital as a Registered nurse on Tele and general medsurg floor, also worked in Einstein hospital as an oncology transplant nurse , I realized that I enjoy working with patients so much and believe in quality and compassionate care one at a time dealing with an holistic approach in caring for patients and family in a familiar environment called home , I see the impact and progress when they’re home , it makes them feel relax and progress fast with recovering at home. As a nurse and entrepreneur I understand that dedication to meeting people and families needs is a priority, and able to foster relationships with family and patients that is professional and friendly to help them stay and settled home as a desire.
- Elder Care Strategies for Assisting Seniors in Shingles Recovery - December 29, 2023
- Physical Therapy at Home: How Seniors Can Maximize Benefits - December 19, 2023
- Personal Care at Home: A Guide to Senior Skin Care - December 13, 2023