Daylight Savings Time (DST) is a practice where clocks are adjusted forward by one hour in the spring and back by one hour in the fall. While many people adjust easily to this change, seniors, especially those with dementia or cognitive issues, may experience various effects that can disrupt their sleep patterns, routines, and overall well-being.
In this blog, we’ll discuss the effects of daylight savings on seniors with dementia and cognitive issues and how dementia care services can help them:
1. Sleep Disruption
Seniors with dementia and cognitive issues may have trouble understanding why their sleep schedule is disrupted due to DST. The sudden shift in daylight hours can cause confusion, disorientation, and trouble falling asleep. Even a small change in their sleep routine can lead to an increase in agitation, anxiety, and mood swings. This can further exacerbate symptoms of dementia and cognitive decline.
CNA-certified staff can help seniors with dementia to live a quality life by providing personal care services like care of incontinence and toileting, making and eating food, mobility, and medication management.
2. Increased Risk of Falls
Seniors with dementia and cognitive issues are already at a higher risk of falling due to their weakened physical abilities and cognitive impairment. DST can increase this risk by disrupting their sleep, causing fatigue, and altering their daily routines. With less sleep and increased confusion, seniors may become more disoriented and have a harder time navigating their surroundings, leading to an increased risk of falls.
Hiring professional staff for dementia care can help assist your loved one in their range of motion (ROM) training and prevent falls.
3. Disruption of Daily Routines
Seniors struggling with dementia and cognitive issues rely heavily on their daily routines to maintain a sense of normalcy and structure. DST can disrupt these routines and cause confusion, leading to increased anxiety and agitation. Changes in mealtimes, medication schedules, and other daily activities can lead to further confusion, making it harder for seniors to adjust to the time change.
This is why hiring a personal care provider can help your loved ones with daily tasks, including meal preparation, laundry and changing linen, bathing, grooming, light housekeeping, and more.
4. Increased Sundowning
Sundowning is a condition where individuals with dementia and cognitive issues become more agitated and confused during the late afternoon and early evening hours. DST can worsen this condition by changing the amount of daylight hours during this time. Seniors may become more disoriented and anxious as the sun sets later, leading to an increase in sundowning symptoms.
This is why it’s important to take measures to minimize the impact of DST on seniors, such as hiring qualified HHA and CNA-certified staff to gradually help adjust their sleep schedules and keeping their daily routines consistent. Caregivers should also be aware of these potential effects and take steps to ensure that seniors receive the personal care services and support they need during this time.
Let Our Trusted Professionals Help With Personal Care Services in Natick
If you are searching for professional assistance for your loved one’s personal care requirements, Service Above Self Homecare and Staffing is the perfect solution.
Our dependable personal care services are available in Natick and the surrounding areas to allow your loved ones to receive the necessary supervision while still maintaining their independence.
Please feel free to get in touch with us for further information about our packages.
