Now that I can see my mom in MC, I’m realizing that after the super early meal at 4pm, everyone goes to their apartment to be all alone ALL night. During the day, there’s clearly more staff and activities. I try to spend time with my mom at least 3 evenings during the week. It just makes me sad thinking this whole time she has just sat all alone in her apartment during lockdown. Is this normal for MC facilities to have less staff during evenings? Do other MC facilities have evening activities or just as many staff as they do during the day? I understand most are tired due to the day’s activities. However, many are sundowning after supper and are in their rooms all alone with their crazy thoughts.
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So, maybe these facilities are trying to maximize sunlight for the residents, so that they're tired and want to go to sleep before the sun goes down.
Dementia does take a toll on a person's energy and some might be ready to sleep after supper, but they'll probably be up at 1 AM. Just like you and me, the wake sleep cycle for MC residents is different for each. In fact, when the disease progresses, the circadian clock no longer functions as it once did. The person can't differentiate day from night. At times, my wife was awake for 24 straight hours. She might wake up at 2 AM, get dressed and want to get the day started. Facilities that dictate times to sleep and times to awaken aren't doing the residents any favors. Some residents may voluntarily go to their rooms and hit the sack. Others may be awake long after dinner and just wander around or sit on a couch in the common area, or even fall asleep there. I don't know of a facility that offers activities in the evening, but that's no excuse to put everyone to bed early. What many care facilities lack is person centered care. Knowing each resident and catering to each's lifestyle as much as possible.
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Also, most elderly people have "wound down" by supper time and don't have the energy to attend activities in the evening.
If a person is sundowning, their confusion would make it appropriate for them to attend a group activity, such as Bingo, because they could not follow the instructions or behave socially. It would not make them "less confused," since the confusion is biologically based.
All facilities, including hospitals, have a lot less going on during the evenings, compared to days.
I know of an assisted living facility that has a guest room for out of town visitors.
Some have a relaxed ‘open door’ policy but ask that visitors are courteous of other residents, while some have
visiting hours end at 8:00.
There isn’t one set of rules. It varies.
Horribly sad for all the Seniors to have no contact with lived ones for over a year because they totally didn't get much human contact except for necessities.
I personally think it was wrong and made it worse on them that they will never get over.
People aren't made to be alone.
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