The Exhausting Dementia Diagnosis

Dementia can take many forms: memory loss, disorientation, personality change(s), anger, and fear are all common characteristics. Many of my clients and their caretaking family members grumble about another frustrating characteristic: sleep deprivation. As an elder law practitioner, I have heard this phenomenon referred to as the "sundowners' syndrome". Simply put, the unpleasant characteristics of listlessness, confusion, and fear peak as the sun goes down. As a result, it becomes more and more difficult, and even dangerous, to allow those afflicted with full-swing dementia to remain alone in their homes.  The solution generally seems to be to move mom or dad into the caretaker's house: unfortunately, the caretaker-children are subject to a "rude-awakening", no pun intended. The senior is safer, certainly, but the sleeplessness, mania and confusion in the middle of the night generally continues. The Hebrew Home for the Aged in Riverdale has a "day" care program at night for those with sundowners' syndrome.  ElderServe at Night is truly unique as most programs serve dementia and Alzheimers seniors, only during the day. ElderServe gives the dementia senior the socialization he needs during the hours he need it. The senior can paint, play cards, and even dance the night away (compliments of the live music of any one of the local musicians who visit the center provide) -- all the while the rest of the world and the caregivers enjoy their much-needed and well-earned, sleep.