All North Shore Senior Center locations will be CLOSED November 26-27 for Thanksgiving.

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- 2020 Posts

  1. "Maximize Your Personal Connections and Minimize the Holiday Blues"
  2. "Resilience & Aging"
  3. Self-Care Tips for the Family Caregiver
  4. Sharing Gratitude During Thanksgiving from Our Executive Director
  5. NSSC Awarded Chicago Top Workplace
  6. 'Exercise’ Your Commitment to Stay Fit During Pandemic
  7. How the End of Daylight Saving Time Affects People with Dementia
  8. Lifelong Learning Virtual Experience: The Next Best Thing to Being at the Center
  9. Join us for Gala 2020: Unmasked
  10. Permission Granted: Time to Host the Perfectly Imperfect Wedding
  11. North Shore Senior Center Featured in Caregiving Magazine!
  12. What Does 'Medicare for All' Mean?
  13. Opening Day Slated for July 6!
  14. North Shore Senior Center Keeps Older Adults And Their Families Connected
  15. June 15 Update on Center Reopening
  16. An Open Letter from the Executive Director
  17. Initial Plans to Re-Open Center
  18. HSS & Sewa International Donate Masks to NSSC
  19. May 14 Update from the Executive Director
  20. The CARES Act Brings Many Changes for Individuals and Businesses
  21. May 7 Update from the Executive Director
  22. April 30 Message from the Executive Director
  23. Celebrating our Volunteers and Senior & Family Services: A Message from the Executive Director
  24. Celebrating Our Successes: A Message from the Executive Director
  25. Message from the Executive Director on HOW Programs
  26. Winnetka Talk: North Shore senior centers turn to technology to connect and entertain
  27. Message from the Executive Director
  28. An Update from our Executive Director & Free Online Classes
  29. A Note to the North Shore Senior Center Community

How the End of Daylight Saving Time Affects People with Dementia

October 27, 2020

by Marci Balonick, LCSW, Clinical Manager/Caregiver Specialist, House of Welcome Adult Day Services


On November 1, we will set the clocks back an hour for the end of daylight saving time. This means it will be lighter in the morning, and it will get dark earlier in the afternoon. Many people have difficulty adjusting to time changes, but for those with dementia it can be particularly confusing. 


Tips to Time Change When Caring for a Person with Memory Loss:

  • Have your environment match to the time of day—Open the blinds/drapes in the morning so your loved one knows it's daytime. Close the blinds/drapes once it gets dark. This can help orient your family member.
  • Maintain a routine—The time change may impact your loved one’s schedule. He or she may wake up earlier or later, go to bed early, or be hungrier at different times of day. Try to maintain your usual routine as much as possible. Disruption in routines or lack of routine may cause confusion. Be sure to maintain a routine for naps, if naps are taken, as those with dementia can become more confused when they wake up from sleep or a nap. 
  • Expect increased confusion—When it is bright in the morning and begins getting dark in the afternoon, it can be confusing to determine the actual time. People living with memory loss may see it is dark outside at 4 p.m. and wonder why they haven’t had dinner yet.
  • Be flexible/plan for extra snacks—While it’s important to maintain your routine, flexibility will help you and your family member. Your loved one may get confused with meals. You may want to plan for extra snacks to avoid any confusion with forgotten meals/snacks. Make sure your family member gets enough to eat during the day and stays hydrated.