How to Prepare for the End of Daylight-Saving Time on November 6

Charlotte will return to regular time at 1:00 a.m. on November 6, 2022, marking the end of Daylight Saving Time. It's when the clocks are set back an hour, allowing people an additional hour of sleep before work the next day.

For those of us who are getting on in years, the shift to shorter days and longer nights can temporarily throw off our sense of balance. However, restlessness, anxiety, irritability, and disorientation may all begin or intensify as daylight diminishes. This can make the time change particularly difficult for seniors living with Alzheimer's disease or dementia.

The article will focus on what measures the elderly should take in advance of the end of Daylight Saving Time.

The Impact of Daylight Saving Time on Seniors

Most people's brains operate at their peak efficiency throughout the day when natural light is present. As the day progresses, an older adult can feel increasingly fatigued and anxious. The elderly can feel more irritable, tired, and depressed as the day progresses into the evening.

Alzheimer's disease-related alterations in the brain, according to the National Institute on Aging, can disrupt a person's biological clock. This can lead to muddled sleep-wake cycles and the resulting behavior known as sundowning.

Caring for someone living with Alzheimer's or dementia during Daylight Saving Time can be very challenging. Behavioral changes, including worry, disregarding instructions, mood swings, and hostility, may accompany physical symptoms like sleeplessness and tremors.

Measures to Prepare for the Daylight Saving Time

Here are some suggestions to help ease the impact of Daylight Saving Time on the elderly:

• Turn on lights in the afternoon to lighten the house. Make an effort to keep areas well-lit after dark since exposure to total darkness may cause anxiety and disorientation.
• If at all feasible, try to plan activities and excursions during the morning.
• If the weather is nice, seniors should go outside and enjoy it.
• Try to divert the older adult's attention with something pleasant, such as a stimulating pastime or calming music.
• Keep an elderly person's meal pattern as regular as possible. Stick to a pattern and schedule, but realize that the time may need to be adjusted gradually. When adjusting to new circumstances, eating less is one solution.
• If seniors have trouble sleeping, they should avoid or severely limit the following: coffee, alcohol, and extended naps throughout the day. They should avoid overeating at night and have the biggest meal at noon.
• Try to include more mental, physical, and social stimulation into seniors' daily routines so that they're more likely to go to bed regularly each night.

How Senior Helpers of Charlotte Can Help

Each of us needs some time to adapt to a new time zone. But if you or an elderly loved one are experiencing ongoing difficulties after the end of Daylight Saving Time, don't hesitate to see a doctor.

Personal care services provided by Senior Helpers are available around the clock and are individualized to match the requirements of each client. Assisting our clients with their regular personal care routines is one way we can get to know them and help them feel their best.

Let's prepare to provide a smooth and easy transition for our loved ones before the end of Daylight Saving Time on November 6. If you require elder care services in Charlotte, Pineville, and Concord, please contact Senior Helpers of Charlotte.