A Bronx program is changing the way we treat “sundowning” a common problem among dementia patients thought to affect 20% of patients. Their day is our night and vice versa. This creates great confusion and agitation when the sun comes down. It is a well- known fact that individuals with dementia are more alert at night which mean caregivers do not get much sleep. The program known as Elderserve was the brainchild of David Pomeranz, Hebrew Home executive director. In 1996 concerned with the heartbreaking stories from struggling families he came up with the idea of a safe place for the loved ones at night.
The program caters to 40 clients seven nights a week and includes activities like arts and crafts, cooking, yoga, Zumba, and even live performances. Medicaid pays $200/day for the program a big saving when you take into account that a typical nursing home in New York costs $320/day. It may look like entertainment but each activity has a therapeutic benefit for memory-compromised individuals. The program has the effect of normalizing behavior, everything the clients do is fine, and they are allowed to be themselves.
The program also serves clients whose conditions worsen over time. For example, next door to the room where clients are dancing and enjoying live music, the music is soft, the lights are low and a subtle scent of lavender is in the air. Clients in this room are more advanced in the disease, so some are doing puzzles, others are getting a massage while others are working with blocks. Pomeranz explains that they are working on their level and we do that through touch, sound or perhaps a smell and it works, it gives them a sense of serenity. When the sun goes up, all clients will have breakfast and return home.
The response from the relatives is one of relief and gratitude. They have seen a real change in their relatives. Before some of the relatives had to be carried up and down the stairs, but now they walk by themselves; they now react to conversation, feel and act “200% better”. One caregiver exclaimed that they are totally new persons and they are!