Spending the early evening with a loved one who has dementia can reveal changes in their mood and behavior, a phenomenon known as sundowning, which affects one in five people with dementia.
What is Sundowning?
Sundowning describes a period of behavioral changes in individuals with dementia, commonly linked to Alzheimer's but also present in vascular, Lewy-body, and frontotemporal dementia. During late afternoon or early evening, many people with dementia may show increased anxiety, agitation, or anger. Understanding the symptoms and causes of sundowning can help you manage these challenges.
Reasons Behind Sundowning
While the exact causes of sundowning are unclear, several triggers can contribute to this behavior:
Daylight Savings: Changing clocks can disrupt routines, leading to altered sleep patterns.
Past Routines: Late afternoon is often a busy time in past routines, such as picking up children or preparing dinner. The absence of these activities can cause anxiety.
Feeling Disoriented: As evening approaches, not recognizing their surroundings can distress individuals, prompting a desire to "go home."
Medication Effects: Pain relief medication may wear off by late afternoon, causing discomfort.
Shadows: Evening shadows can cause hallucinations or fear.
Tips to Prevent Sundowning
Dementia experts offer several strategies to manage sundowning:
Lighting: Keep the home well-lit in the evening or have them sit by a window for natural sunlight, reducing hallucinations and helping reset their internal clock.
Engage in Meaningful Activities: Encourage late afternoon activities that mimic past routines to avoid restlessness.
Assess Other Factors: Determine if other issues, like communication difficulties or pain, contribute to their behavior.
Managing Sundowning in the Moment
When sundowning occurs, these techniques can help:
Gentle Reassurance: Speak in a soothing voice and try to reassure them. If this doesn’t work, suggest a distracting activity.
Distraction Techniques: Move to another room, make a drink, take a short walk, or prepare dinner together to help them feel productive.
Listen and Comfort: Listen carefully to identify the source of their anxiety. A light touch or simply sitting close with a hand on theirs can provide comfort.
For information about how AmoryCare can help with Sundowning care at home please contact us:
Phone: 908-854-3220
Fax: 908-854-3221
Email: info@amorycare.com
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