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I just wanted to ask this and also share at the same time as I can’t find anything relevant online. My husband has Alzheimer’s and suffers with paranoia/delusions. He also gets agitated at times. However I’ve noticed when we sit outside his whole mood changes and he’s settled and much calmer and happier. We can go back indoors and his mood/behavior changes almost immediately. Again we can go back outdoors and he’s calm again. I can’t seem to find anything about this other than it’s recommended for dementia patients to have fresh air etc. I just wanted to share this in case others are experiencing something similar.

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Is it possible where your husband is now being cared for, that a small bird feeder could be placed outside his window? As an enticement to look outside as opposed to fixating on what he is finding distressing inside. Also, there are channels on Youtube where there's really nice (not cheesy) guitar music playing and changing outdoorsy scenes for hours-I think one is about four hours long. I enjoy the web cams of the Monterey Aquarium, fun to watch, if he has computer access. Is it possible to add a bit more of the outside to his inside? If living plants aren't ok there, some of the plastic ones at Marshalls look pretty good-and seem to reasonably priced. When I can get my husband out of the house, he's a bit resistant, he really enjoys himself. So far, paranoia has yet to be a problem. Lucky you to be living in California, l love it there!
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Is he able to discuss anything he is experiencing if you sit with him quietly. My brother has hallucinations due to a diagnosis of probable early Lewy's dementia. He was able to discuss his hallucinations in great detail, and they were very detailed. Some were frightening and only came on in social situations involving other people such as a restaurant. Many were not frightening but very story-like. Others involved the way his eyes interpreted things. He said he was not happy to know his diagnosis but was happy to know there was a reason his eyes and his mind saw the world differently now than what was normal. Happily he passed before having to descend into what Lewy's would have in store for him. But he was great at discussing all of this and would have been a wonderful study subject. Sadly any medications for anything bad, or an sleeplessness had an opposite effect on him (happens to some) and he could take them. I sure wish you good luck.
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Debb55 Feb 2022
Thank you for all your responses.

My husband sadly is not able to discuss anything - in the way your brother could. I just noticed that when I visit (he’s actually now in a care home) he will tell me to be careful for example about the carer - he’ll tell me not to go into a certain room and so on. Of course I always try to reassure him, ask him why he feels scared and try and show him that he has nothing to be worried about - without of course making it sound like I disbelieve him or diminish his feelings.

I have read a lot about hallucinations etc and the home keep lights on, curtains open and so on. I just noticed when we sit outside he’s like a different person. He’s not scared or agitated. He sits quietly and his mood lightens. It’s like he feels ‘safer’ outside - even if the person he ‘fears’ comes outside also. There are times he won’t eat his dinner inside yet if I take it outside he’ll eat it willingly. It’s possible just being outdoors makes him feel less ‘trapped’ - I don’t know. So long as it helps. We’re lucky to live in CA so the climate is pretty good all year round. I just wanted to share this as I know others are dealing with similar issues and hopefully it may help them also.

I wish you all the very best.
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I have read here on the forum where shadows can be a problem with some dementias. Perhaps inside your home with different lighting there are shadows and when he is outside, it’s bright and sunny? The shadows may increase his delusions.

The poster who wrote about this was Igloo. Here is a link she posted on telling of how lighting and large furniture cast shadows which bothered her mom who had Lewy Body Dementia.

https://www.agingcare.com/questions/excessive-cellular-death-in-frontal-temporal-lobes-194008.htm?orderby=recent

Some people have more than one type dementia. Try searching on this site for other aspects of your husbands issues. I have found it very helpful.
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Debb55 Feb 2022
Thank you - yes I have read about this. The home is very bright and they keep the lights on, curtains open etc. I was also told by the doctor that people can have more than one type of dementia. It really is the cruelest disease.
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Perhaps you can make the inside of his home cheerier by bringing some of the outdoor elements inside. Allow as much light as you can to enter by rolling up blinds and pulling away drapes, and re-fit lamps with brighter LED lights. De-clutter wherever you can. Bring nature inside by inserting plants and flowers indoors. Play music, especially the music of his era-this works like a charm with most seniors. If you have an Amazon Echo, you can also get it to play nature sounds, which may be soothing to him. Best of luck!
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wonolancet Feb 2022
Wonderful ideas and you are correct! Light is critical in dealing with Sundowning. I am considering the Feng Shui set up and philosophy. Makes a great deal of sense to me. I also like the music suggestion as well. Thank you and I love this forum as it helps greatly knowing I am not alone in all this. xoxoxo
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Never heard of that but it's very interesting and I guess it kind of makes sense. For example, my 2 year old grandson is much happier when he is playing outside! Can be grumpy and melting down in the house but get him out in the fresh air and he's a happy boy. Related? Maybe? Once the weather breaks, I'll have to remember to get my mom outside more. The vitamin D is really good for them too, and everyone actually. I need to make a little sitting area in the front yard where she can watch the traffic and the birds, etc. The back deck is lovely but doesn't get sun until late in the day.

I guess you and hubby will be spending LOTS of time outside!
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bundleofjoy Feb 2022
"I need to make a little sitting area in the front yard where she can watch the traffic and the birds, etc."

so sweet.
it's wonderful to read all the great things people do for their LOs.
:)
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There is lots of evidence to support exactly what you say! My mother with advanced dementia is in MUCH better spirits when she sits outside in the garden of her Memory Care AL than when she's indoors.

Check out this article:

https://happiful.com/dementia-and-the-importance-of-the-outdoors/

Glad you live in a climate where DH can enjoy the outside year round. I wonder if a large nature mural on the wall in his room would help too?
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A dementia patient needs to be kept in a comfortable familiar environment and a routine critical. Otherwise, they become agitated, confused and scared. My husband still goes out for his little walk and stays in his lane, so to speak. Take him out of it and would not be good. It is interestng how the brain functions with dementia! Some areas very functional and others not. I give him chores to do and keep his mind stimulated so he can function as long as possible. He gets a bit mixed up but really does quite well for now. We all know "sadly", this does not get better.
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Try covering the mirrors and leaving the tv on. My beloved FIL had Lewy Bodies dementia and thought that his reflection was someone “bad,” and trying to take his wife and home away. When he glimpsed his reflection, he would whisper to us, “there’s that guy again.” Any reflective surface like windows or a tv screen would trigger the delusion.
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We had the same thing. My mom, with Alzheimer's, lived with us. She too had delusions, anxiety, and paranoia, that seemed to improve outdoors. She played golf when she was younger, and always enjoyed the outdoors, whether she was walking around the neighborhood or walking on a golf course. I'm so glad you wrote this, because Hubby and I thought we were the only ones who were dealing with this particular type of behavior. I think my mom just enjoyed the sense of freeedom, the breeze, the sunshine, etc. I think she sometimes felt "trapped" in the house, even though I took her anywhere she wanted to go. I think she liked the expanse of the outdoors. Sometimes when the weather wasn't conducive for her to be walking in it, I'd just drive her around a bit, and that seemd to quell her anxiety for a while. We were outdoors, even if confined within a car. Good luck. I've walked in your shoes, literally, sometimes chasing my mom down the street when she'd wander.
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My mom is like that.When weather was nice I would visit her outside.She was calm, talkative ,understandable sometimes and and interested in her surroundings.When she goes back in that side of her is gone again
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