DEMENTIA CARE
"A change in daylight hours
can be confusing for anyone so, for those living with dementia, it is especially
important to do all we can to keep everything running as smoothly as possible"
this could be difficult, but you will get back into a routine soon enough. Aſter this change, stick to the routine and ensure the persons sleep schedule stays the same, as this can be where issues can sometimes occur. Sleep is essential to keeping confusion at bay during daylight saving.
EXPOSURE TO DAYLIGHT
Exposure to daylight can be very useful in the lead up to and aſter the clocks change. Getting as much exposure to natural light as possible can help maintain a person’s natural circadian rhythm. It is our circadian rhythm which regulates the sleep cycle and maintains good sleeping patterns. We know how important sleep is to those living with dementia, so keeping the circadian rhythm at a constant is important.
ACTIVITIES
If you find that the person whom you are caring for is experiencing sundowning syndrome and mood swings or difficulties in the evening, adjusting their routine to suit could be useful. For example, if you have dementia activitieswhich
https://www.active-minds.org/uk/dementia-games/ twitter.com/TomorrowsCare - 43 -
you conduct during the day to bring about relaxation, it could be worth moving these to the evening. This shouldn’t be anything overly stimulating so things such as arts and craſts could be ideal; art can be soothing and engaging without being over-stimulating close to bedtime.
AVOID STIMULANTS
Avoid offering any stimulants, such as caffeine or daytime naps where possible, as these can disrupt routine and cause further issues as the evening approaches. Although the days can seem long, the effects of these stimulants can cause more harm than they are worth. Instead, keep the brain active through the daytime with activities and keep the evenings relaxing and engaging in other ways.
A change in daylight hours can be confusing for anyone so, for those living with dementia, it is especially important to do all we can to keep everything running as smoothly as possible; sticking to routines and planning ahead can all help to do this.
www.active-minds.org/uk
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