The first female engineer at General Motor’s descent into Alzheimer’s with sundowners: A daughter’s scholarly research and case study as caregiver

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AbstractBackgroundAlzheimer’s with Sundowners continues to be one of the greatest challenges between the patient and caregiver. Sundowners familial caregivers are often reluctant to place their loved one’s into facilities in part due to the stigma around the aggressive behaviors and also concerns about the care their loved one will receive.MethodsIn a comparative analysis between my grandmother who had Alzheimer’s and my mother with Alzheimer’s with Sundowners, there are key differences supporting the behavioral nature of Sundowners from my mother's diagnosis in 2014. Investigations into the emerging research around dementia lucidity, is confirmed by levels of ‘awareness’ my mother had until her death in February 2020. Research captures levels of caregiver burnout and the types of tools for long‐term facilities to demarcate between ‘traditional’ Alzheimer’s and Sundowners. This behavioral research includes videos, caregiver case studies, and cognitive decline shown through artwork, that will provide evidence that dementia lucidity causes Sundowners behavior issues as patients are aware, scared, and terrified of an increasingly confusing world.ResultsBehaviorally “difficult” patients – like my mother – continue to be treated with ‘chemical restraints’ offered by harsh off label anti‐psychotic drugs with FDA black box warnings that are burning through their remaining delicate synapses. Training is required to provide Sundowner patients with a higher level of engagement. Treatment at earlier stages should include testing for melatonin/serotonin levels for treatment, different applications of music/light therapy, Art therapy, CBD/THC treatment, and behavioral redirects to keep Sundowners patients calm.ConclusionQuarterly online self‐directed training with assessment scoring and gamification will help embed behavioral redirects techniques (especially during the first six months at a facility) and support distressed families. Better levels of engagement results in calmer patients so they can have greater dignity as they go through the final throws of brain death. ‘I need to go home”, isn’t a physical place where they want to go, but a cry for help to find a mental place of comfort ‐ just as a child reaches for a favorite blanket – and we owe them that place of peace.