Great starts are easy, the goal is to finish well
While my Daddy was still alive, my parents lived in a little cottage on several acres in the country. They loved living independently, but over time they began to need more and more help in order to remain ‘independent’. My sister, husband, and I made multiple trips daily out to their place to bring meals, dispense medicine, clean, and even a few fun things, which included singing, snacking, and reminiscing.
As any caregiver knows or quickly learns, dementia is a tough disease. It wreaks havoc on the emotions of our loved ones and those who provide care. At times, a person with dementia may experience an unsettled sense of lostness. They might be aware that all is not right but not know how to fix it. These feelings can cause frustration, agitation, or even panic – usually later in the afternoon or early evening. Such emotions of unease are referred to as sundowning.