What is Sundowners Syndrome?

By Andy Niska | May 19, 2017 | Comments Off on What is Sundowners Syndrome?
Senior-Care-in-Newport-WA

Senior Care in Newport WA: What is Sundowners Syndrome?

Sundowners syndrome isn’t a disease, but rather it is a symptom associated with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. When a person has sundowners syndrome, their behavior becomes erratic in the late afternoon or evening. Because of this, sundowning is also referred to as “late day confusion.” Senior care providers for patients who experience sundowning must be especially vigilant later in the day because sundowning can cause behaviors that put their safety at risk.

 

What happens during sundowning?

The symptoms of sundowning usually start in the late afternoon or early evening. They may get worse as it gets later in the day, but they are usually better in the morning. Some of the things that a person who is sundowning may do or experience include:

  • Yelling
  • Wandering
  • Being restless
  • Irritability
  • Agitation
  • Visual or auditory hallucinations
  • Suspicious
  • Confusion
  • Disorientation

 

What causes sundowning?

No one knows just what causes sundowning, but some scientists think it has to do with the way a person’s “inner clock” can change with dementia. They think dementia may cause the area of the brain that sends signals about when a person is awake or asleep may malfunction, causing sundowning.

 

While the cause is not known, there are some factors that have been associated with an increase in sundowning symptoms, such as:

  • Being too tired
  • Pain
  • Being thirsty
  • Lighting being low
  • Infections
  • Boredom
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Depression
  • More shadows in the house
  • Problems distinguishing reality from dreams

 

How can senior care providers help?

If your parent experiences sundowning, hiring a senior care provider through an agency can help you manage that difficult time of the day. Some of the things a senior care provider can help with are:

  • Maintaining a consistent daily schedule, which can help reduce confusion and anxiety.
  • Assisting with daytime activities so that your parent is more tired at night, which can promote good sleep habits. A senior care provider can take your parent for walks or encourage them to participate in other physical activities.
  • Monitoring how much caffeine and sugar your parent consumes, which should be limited to the earlier hours of the day. A senior care provider can prepare healthy meals, snacks, and beverages, helping to ensure your parent does not reach for things that contain sugar and caffeine.
  • Adjusting the lighting in the house. Making the lights brighter can help when your parent shows signs of confusion.
  • Preventing too much napping during the day. If your parent naps during the day, they may not be tired at night.
  • Reducing stress. Having a companion to rely on and one who can help them limit stressful activities later in the day can help reduce symptoms of sundowning. A senior care provider can help your parent to choose low-stress activities in the evening, such as listening to soothing music.

 

If you’re struggling to care for a parent with sundowners syndrome, you don’t have to do it alone. Consider hiring an experience senior care provider to help you manage the symptoms. Senior care providers can be hired to come in for just a few hours per day, such as the difficult hours in the afternoons and evenings, or for an entire day. They can even be hired to provide overnight care.

 

If you or an aging loved one are considering in-home senior care in Newport, WA, please contact the friendly staff at Love at Home Senior Care, today. Call (509) 204-4088

 

 

Sources:

https://www.webmd.com/alzheimers/guide/manage-sundowning#1

https://www.healthline.com/health-slideshow/dementia-sundowning

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/alzheimers-disease/expert-answers/sundowning/faq-20058511

Andy Niska
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