Frena Gray-Davidson, an expert with many years’ experience in treating patients with Alzheimer’s disease and Dementia, has been giving some free workshops for caregivers. The talks, entitled Speaking Dementia – transforming the dementia experience for elders and their caregivers are being organised by the locally-based Dementia/Alzheimer’s Support Group.

The workshop on Saturday morning was well attended at the Hibiscus Conference Room in George Town.

Ms Gray –Davidson articulated her knowledge and experience with reference to real life examples, whether they are professional caregivers or just friends or family members.

One of the pieces of advice she gave was to not let oneself get too emotionally drawn in with regard to moods that the Alzheimer’s sufferer is having, to ‘be there’ for them, but not allow oneself to get agitated with them.

“Don’t get too upset yourself because you will stay upset for the rest of the day, and perhaps till the next day, and maybe the rest of your working life with that person, meanwhile that person has forgotten all about it.  Remember, the blessing of dementia is the same as the curse of dementia,” she said.

One of the caregivers in the audience asked if Ms Gray-Davidson could give some tips on how to handle “sun-downing.” For those who don’t know what this term means, Ms. Gray-Davidson explained:

“Sun-downing is a period of regular extreme agitation. Typically it’s called sun-downing because the majority of people who do have it will have it late afternoon to early evening. During sun-downing people are very agitated:  they may cry or be angry – they may be very accusatory towards the caregiver- “You’ve taken this…that’s gone…you don’t care about me you, don’t love me.”

Sun-downing is often characterised by repeating themes, Ms Gray-Davidson said:

“Whatever the theme is it’s often very upsetting for caregivers and that’s a pity, because you know sun-downing tends to be over after a couple of hours. Yes it’s difficult but it’s not as difficult as we choose to make it,” she said.
Ms Gray-Davidson’s advice was simple:

“Agitation is very catching – have you noticed how when somebody you care about starts to get agitated then you start to get agitated too. Then it goes backwards and forwards between the two of you, because you know, don’t you, that people with dementia have fabulous emotional radar.”

But sun-downing can also hold one of the keys to helping the patient too:  “In sun-downing, the thing I find very intriguing and useful to us is you will hear in them that which truly upsets them – that which is their true sorrow, their true inner agony.  It’s very often the theme of feeling useless, not belonging anywhere, nobody cares about them, they are frightened, angry.

“You can choose not to be agitated but to be there. Sit with them if they’ll let you do that, and most of them will; Just sit the time out with them because their agitation can’t do a single thing to hurt you – most people in the short version of sun-downing are not violent,” she said.

There will be another Alzheimer’s Workshop with Ms. Gray-Davidson on Wednesday 28 March, at 5.30-7.30, also at the Hibiscus Conference Room. The sessions are free of charge.

For more information on the Workshops please contact Dorothy on 924-4170 or Shan on 949-1169.