Advice for Alzheimer’s in Tennessee

Advice for Alzheimer’s in Tennessee

Dominion of Sevierville | Caregiver and a senior woman holding shopping bags and smiling

Sevierville, Tenn. (May 2024) – Dominion Senior Living of Sevierville, a premier assisted living and memory care community, will celebrate the 100th birthday of Ruth Mills Robertson on May 13th.

 

Robertson was born in Augusta, Georgia and was the youngest of five children born to George and Estelle Mills. She met and married Eugene E. Robertson, a native of Sevier County, in 1942. They were married for 38 years until his untimely death in 1980. During those wonderful years together, they embarked on many adventures. Wonderful cruises and traveling abroad kept them busy. Ruth and Gene loved to dance and spent many years attending social functions with friends that certainly included dancing.

 

Robertson was a Homemaker and devoted all her time to being a good wife and mother. She had a special love for gardening and flowers. Working in her yard was one of her favorite things to do. Through the years, she volunteered her services to her church. She was in the Joy Rugh Circle, cooked and helped in the church booth at the Sevier County Fair each year. Volunteering in the church office was also always a high priority. Ruth was a member of the First Methodist good fellowship class at the First United Methodist Church of Sevierville.

She and Eugene had two children: Alexis Robertson and Rhonda Robertson Harrison (deceased), and one grandchild: Blake Harrison.

“We love having mom as a part of the Dominion family. We are excited to celebrate her! There will be much love surrounding her on this special day. The milestone will be marked by a celebration with family, many loved ones and special friends honoring her,” said Alexis, daughter of Robertson.  

 

Community details

 

Dominion Senior Living of Sevierville is a premier senior living community with personal care and memory care apartments for seniors. Dominion Senior Living strives to operate with the mission, “Honoring God through Service to Seniors.”

Located in the heart of Sevierville, Dominion Senior Living provides a secure, attentive, homelike atmosphere while offering a full range of helpful services to those looking for a senior living community in Sevier County.

Dominion Senior Living is part of a family of senior living communities throughout the eastern United States owned and/or operated by Dominion Senior Living of Knoxville, Tenn. Dominion Senior Living specializes in offering independent living, assisted living, and Alzheimer’s care services.

Dominion Senior Living of Sevierville is located at 1102 Medical Park Court Sevierville, TN 37862 More information can be found by calling (865) 365-4360 or by visiting their website at http://dominionseniorliving.com/sevierville/. 

A Closer Look at Sundowning and How Our Memory Care Team in Sevierville, TN Can Help

Does your loved one with dementia exhibit mood or personality changes? Does it seem to happen at a specific time of day? This phenomenon is known as sundowning and is relatively common among seniors with dementia.

People with dementia may start feeling more anxious or tend to wander. It’s usually a change seen in the afternoon or early evening. Sundowning with dementia can lead to trouble sleeping at night.

At Dominion of Sevierville, our memory care team is specially trained to address sundowning. We help our residents feel comfortable and content. Keep reading to learn more about sundowning and how we can help.

Dominion of Sevierville | Caregiver and a senior woman holding shopping bags and smiling
Halfpoint – stock.adobe.com

What is sundowning?

Sundowning is a term used to describe the time of day changes in mood or behavior that people with dementia experience. These changes can include increased confusion, agitation, anxiety, aggression, or hallucinations.

While the exact cause of sundowning is unknown, there are a few theories about why it happens.

  1. Sundowning is caused by changes in lighting as the day goes on.
  2. Sundowning is caused by fatigue or hunger and a drop in blood sugar levels.
  3. Sundowning is caused by changes in the body’s natural circadian rhythms. As the day progresses and light decreases, people with dementia may become confused and disoriented.

Time of day changes in your loved one may be caused by other factors such as low lighting, hallucinations, or overstimulation.

Is sundowning part of the stages of dementia?

Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a decline in cognitive function. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia.

Different symptoms characterize each stage. There are three main stages of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia:

  • Mild
  • Moderate
  • Severe

The mild stage is characterized by symptoms such as forgetting recent events. Struggling to follow conversations and having difficulty solving problems are common.

During the moderate stage, symptoms become more pronounced. People may experience disorientation, personality changes, and difficulty speaking or understanding others.

The severe stage is the most advanced stage of Alzheimer’s disease. People may lose the ability to communicate and may need help with all activities of daily living.

Experts predict that sundowning occurs in 20 percent of people with Alzheimer’s. Sleeping problems and sundowning can begin at any stage. However, it’s most common in the middle stage.

Is there a cure for sundown syndrome?

Sundowning is a symptom of dementia. Most forms of dementia are progressive and do not have a cure. However, there are some ways to help reset the body clock and curb restlessness and anxiety.

Try these tips if you are caring for someone experiencing sundowning:

Diet and exercise: Avoid caffeine and alcohol. Take a walk or encourage regular seated movements.

Adjust the lights: Use natural light during the day to get the biological clock on track. Use softer light at night to encourage sleep patterns.

Redirect distractions: Remove the triggers and clutter that cause day confusion. Instead, offer soothing music, a purposeful activity, or a favorite snack that distracts them from anxiety.

Reduce nap time: Too much daytime sleep can lead to increased alertness and insomnia.

How can memory care in Sevierville, TN help?

Memory care at Dominion of Sevierville is here to help If your loved one is experiencing sundowning and dementia. Let us make you and your loved one more comfortable.

Our secure senior living community is designed for people with Alzheimer’s and dementia. Residents receive personalized attention from specialized caretakers who understand the difficulties of managing symptoms.

Residents benefit from regular routines and activities. A routine will help your loved one feel more secure and less confused. We keep a detailed activity calendar encouraging movement, brain stimulation, and social interaction.

Our culinary team ensures residents eat healthy meals and stay hydrated throughout the day. Sometimes dehydration and poor diet can worsen sundowning symptoms.

The team at Dominion of Sevierville creates a calm and peaceful environment for your loved one. We reduce noise when needed, and housekeeping keeps living spaces free from clutter. There are plenty of opportunities for residents to get natural light. That includes meticulously manicured outdoor areas.

At Dominion of Sevierville, our top priority is providing high-quality care for residents. Our memory care team is specially trained to address sundowning and help residents feel comfortable and content. Respite care is also available.

 

Find Relief From Alzheimer’s in Tennessee

Contact us if you have any questions about memory care services or would like to schedule a tour of our community. We’ll be happy to assist you in any way we can.

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