Managing Sundowning Symptoms with a Loved One with Dementia
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If you are caring for an elderly loved one who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, you might have just learned about this word, “sundowning,” in the process of understanding how the disease can affect your elderly loved one as it progresses. Sundowning is a term that refers to a dementia patient’s behaviors that usually occur sometime later in the day, when the sun starts to go down. This is an issue that your loved one may experience if they were living at an assisted living facility as well.
Sundowning Symptoms
Sundowning can look different for each patient, so it’s important to understand which behaviors are considered sundowning behaviors for those who have Alzheimer’s disease or any other form of dementia. Your loved one may have them regularly, or they might appear occasionally, sometimes without seeming to have a trigger.
- Aimless wandering. Your loved one may try to leave the home repeatedly, or continually walk the hallways through the home without any specific purpose.
- In smaller spaces, you might notice your loved one pacing back and forth repeatedly. If sitting, they might begin to rock back and forth in their seat.
- Some patients might closely follow their caregiver around the home, making it difficult for the caregiver to take care of needed chores or even get a bit of privacy in the bathroom.
- Confusion is common when sundowning occurs. Activities that your loved one can usually master on their own, like eating or getting in and out of clothes, may become more difficult.
- Your loved one can also become more easily agitated and angry. You might find them verbally more abusive, or even getting physically threatening during these episodes.
- Hallucinations and delusions are often stronger and more common during sundowning, and can make your loved one very frightened or anxious.
Sundowning Triggers
While no one fully knows what triggers each person’s symptoms, some common things may increase the risk of sundowning behaviors.
- A change in routine, especially later in the day.
- Too much caffeine or sugar during the day, again, especially later in the day.
- A nap that lasted too long during the day has confused their circadian rhythm.
- Too much clutter around the home or too much noise.
- Too little outdoor activity earlier in the day. When possible, getting a bit of sunshine each day helps your loved one better understand when night is falling and it’s time to unwind.
Managing Sundowning
As a caregiver, managing sundowning starts from the moment your loved one wakes up. It’s a matter of making sure they consume food and beverages that won’t spike their sugar levels or alter their energy levels. Routine is always best for dementia patients so they can better understand what is coming next and not be frightened or confused by unexpected changes. Finally, keeping a home neat and quiet can help reduce feelings of anxiety and restlessness.
Assisted Living Simpsonville, SC – Managing Sundowning Symptoms with a Loved One with Dementia
When Assisted Living Might be the Best Option
If you live in a household with multiple other people, especially if you have children yourself, keeping your loved one safely removed from noise, chaos, and daily changes may prove to be too difficult. You might find you can’t keep your loved one safe in your own home anymore. Assisted living facilities with memory care are trained to keep your loved one safe, happy, and well cared for. You’ve done so much for your loved one, and now it might be the time to get the extra help needed from an assisted living facility.
