Alicia Seaver is the Vice President of Memory Care Operations for EPOCH Senior Living and a Certified Memory Impairment Specialist. Every month, she addresses a specific issue related to memory and memory care. If you’re interested in hearing about a particular topic, please send a note to [email protected].
Q: Daylight Savings Time is coming soon, and every time we “fall back” or “spring forward,” it causes a lot of anxiety and stress for my loved one with dementia. What are some good tips for helping manage the change?
A: A lot of people (myself included!) look forward to fall and the extra hour of sleep we get when we “fall back!” While Daylight Savings Time gives us some extra sunlight during the shorter days of the year, the change can be hard for everyone, especially seniors with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia or other forms of memory impairment.
If you’re a caregiver, you are already aware that individuals with dementia require a strict routine, and any change to that daily routine can be difficult and confusing. All of a sudden, dinner may be starting after dark when, yesterday, it was still light out.
Put together the time change, the change in the weather and the disruption in schedule, and Daylight Savings Time can be a very stressful time for dementia patients (and their caregivers). Behavioral issues may pop up, and sundowning symptoms may become worse.
Here are some signs that your loved one may be affected by “falling back:”
- Increased confusion when the sun sets
- Changed or disrupted sleeping patterns
- Going to bed earlier in the evening
- Becoming hungry early
- Being exhausted or overwhelmed
- Increased agitation, mood swings and anxiety
Fortunately, there are things caregivers can do to help make the transition easier for their loved ones (and themselves while they’re at it). Here are some of the tips we follow at Bridges® by EPOCH to help our dementia patients have a feeling of consistency and safety at this time of year.
- Expose your loved one to daylight as much as possible. Take a walk, open the drapes and allow nature to work its magic on their circadian rhythm.
- In the evening, have a game or fun activity that your loved one can do in order to deflect focus from the earlier sunset.
- Keep your home well-lit to chase the shadows away.
- Speaking of shadows, be aware of how they may be different in the fall. Look for any dark corners or potentially frightening images that could spook your loved one.
- Maintain a consistent sleep schedule, as much as you can.
- Consider adjusting your loved one over the course of several days. For example, if you eat at 5 p.m., he or she will probably be hungry an hour earlier, at 4 p.m.. Every day, adjust mealtimes slightly until you’re back to eating at 5 p.m. Adjust evening routines on this timeframe as well.
- Pay attention to bathroom routines, as time change can affect these as well.
- Don’t use alcohol, caffeine and sleeping aids in the days surrounding the time change – this can serve to further confuse the body and make the change more difficult.
- Increase your loved one’s activity (physical, social and cognitive) to help “wear them out” and promote an earlier bedtime.
- While naps can be helpful, monitor them and keep naps to 30-40 minutes so your loved one doesn’t interrupt their night sleep.
The most important thing is to be patient and gracious to yourself and your loved one. Remember, it takes several days for an average, healthy adult to adjust physically and mentally during Daylight Savings Time, so don’t be surprised if there is difficulty at first. However, being aware of the challenges your loved one is experiencing and knowing how to address them in positive ways will make the change quicker and much smoother for everyone.
Enhancing Quality of Life
Bridges® by EPOCH communities have been developed from the ground up to anticipate, meet and exceed the needs of our residents and their families. Our team of remarkable people, the exceptional care and services we offer and the purposeful design of our buildings all combine to create the most rewarding, secure and nurturing lifestyle possible for our residents.
We understand the concern families feel about ensuring quality of life for loved ones. That’s why, at Bridges® by EPOCH, we offer a wellness-centered lifestyle that focuses on reinforcing individual strength so residents enjoy heightened confidence and self-esteem. Ultimately, we provide everything residents need to thrive and rediscover a life with purpose.
Inspiration for Success
At our Bridges® by EPOCH communities, we work closely with families to gain necessary insight and deeper understanding into the lives of our residents upon admission. With this initial information, along with what our exceptional team members learn about our residents each and every day, we are best prepared to provide highly individualized programming for our residents.