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As Darkness Falls – - -

30th July
2009
written by JeanMac

Although I’m kind of happy to see darkness fall earlier these days, it means mostly the end of our evening socializing. We live about 30 minutes from our family and friends in the “big smoke”.

I’m not exactly sure why darkness bothers him (away from home). At home, we stay up late and stand in the drive watching the stars many nights. He loves gazing at the moon so it’s not the darkness itself.

Anyway, being retired, we can plan activities early enough in the day. I know his night vision is bad and maybe he feels upset not being able to see well when we drive home.

Any thoughts or suggestions for us?

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6 Comments

  1. wendy
    30/07/2009

    I don’t know, but I feel sad when the dark comes. Especially as it falls earlier and earlier. Maybe for Wayne it’s part of the “sundowning” pattern.

  2. JeanMac
    30/07/2009

    Hi Wendy,
    Could be the “sundowning” or like you say, you feel a bit sad when darkness falls early.How are things in your world?

  3. KGMom
    30/07/2009

    Maybe because darkness obliterates the familiar–and W is slowly losing the ability to see & understand the familiar anyway. Maybe darkness is somewhat frightening because of that.

  4. Chatty Crone
    31/07/2009

    A person who is blind ‘sees ‘ better at ‘home’ – I imagine that it feels safer.

  5. Monica
    31/07/2009

    I wouldn’t be a bit surprised if he just felt he couldn’t protect you if something happened and feels safer at home.

  6. Chris
    31/07/2009

    Dear Jean,
    I agree with KGMom and Chatty….
    Not always sure the ‘science’ helps here, but just offer these thoughts in addition(my background makes me think this way)….without amazing subtle readjustments( very high ‘computer-like’ functioning we do without thinking about!!!!in full brain health…amazing but true…) the eye would be just like a camera and in dusk register swathes of scary black,contrasting against the light without any detail at all!!Those(amateurs)like me, using a camera will recognise this…
    Secondly,I read that AD sufferers need lots more input to register(understand) movement forward and perhaps could add to distress in car travel at dusk(when that of course would be lacking.(apparently they register a series of pictures, delayed so sense a jerkiness, not a smooth onward drive……Fixed pictures changing too slowly….Sad, but perhaps insightful??
    Love Chris UK