By Lupina Fry, Wellness Nurse

The weather is beginning to change, and the days will be getting shorter, bringing falling leaves, cooler temperatures and seasonal changes most of us look forward to. While most people enjoy the Fall season with its promise of pumpkins, family gatherings, and activities, people with dementia tend to struggle with these changes.

Turning back the clock for Daylight Savings Time is a difficult adjustment for most of us. For people living with dementia, decreased sunlight goes hand in hand with noticing more shadows, less clarity, and increased confusion and agitation, a condition known as sundowning. This behavior becomes
more prevalent in the late afternoon and evening hours. It’s common and occasionally very disruptive to a household. Symptoms can include sleep disturbances, increased agitation and irritability, depression, confusion, increased paranoia, increased pacing, and wandering.

It will be important when assisting a person living with dementia to maintain a stable routine if possible. Spending time outside can also improve their mood, as can moderate exercise. Sunlight helps to increase Vitamin D and helps to regulate melatonin levels leading to better sleep. A short walk or a few minutes of sitting outside can boost Vitamin D levels and make for a more restful night.

It also helps to turn lights on a few hours before nightfall and use warm light sources instead of cool light which can cast harsh shadows. Dementia often affects vision, and those harsh shadows can be very confusing. It is important to keep a calm environment and a stable routine, so they know that when certain activities occur, it’s getting close to bedtime. As a care provider, it is important to ask for help if
you need it. If you’re unsure what to do, reach out for help from a family member for support, a dementia organization for information, or a home care agency to give you a respite. With support, it may be easier to deal with this difficult but often temporary condition.

By Don Neuhaus, Pickleball Enthusiast

About six years ago, before I moved to Trinity Woods, I had no clue as to what pickleball was. A couple of members piqued my interest and after giving it a try, I became very interested and now I love it and I’m a regular player.

So, what is pickleball? Pickleball is a simple paddle game that is played using a perforated slow-moving plastic ball over a tennis type net on a badminton sized court. The rules are simple, and the game is easy for beginners to learn and can be played by the young and especially older adults. It has become extremely popular with resorts and retirement communities alike.

A great deal of information, as well as videos, is available online by simply searching the word “pickleball”. There are several major health benefits to playing pickleball including lowering your risk of heart disease and reducing the risk of blood clots along with improving the health of your feet and legs. In addition, your hand/eye coordination along with balance and reflexes may improve.

We are always looking for players. I must emphasize that experience in playing this sport is definitely NOT a requirement. Everyone who plays is at a different skill level. We pride ourselves on helping each other learn and improve. If you are unsure about playing, I invite you to come to the court to watch and talk with the players.

It is a friendly group of people both men and women. I appreciate the current pickleball players for their friendship, encouragement, and participation. I look forward to more Trinity Woods members starting to enjoy this activity and taking advantage of our state-of-the-art court as well as the exercise, social aspects, and overall enjoyment of this sport. Please check out the monthly Wellness Calendar for days and times, or feel free to reach out to me with any questions.