Manage Seniors Sundown Syndrome
Seniors living with Alzheimer’s disease or suffering from mid- to advanced-stage dementia may experience increased confusion and mini “meltdowns” in the evening. There is a term for this; it’s called sundown syndrome or sundowning.
What is Sundown Syndrome?
Sundown Syndrome refers to a collection of disruptive behaviors that usually appear in the later hours of the day, such as agitation, anxiety, aggressiveness and yelling, as well as confusion, disorientation, pacing, and wandering.
Is Sundown Syndrome Preventable?
According to an article published in Psychiatry Investigation, there is limited data in current medical literature on effective methods of prevention of sundowning syndrome in dementia.
What Triggers Sundown Syndrome
While scientists and medical experts don’t completely understand what causes sundown syndrome, they do know that it can be triggered by factors such as a flurry of activity at night. For example, if your loved one lives in an assisted living facility or nursing home, their symptoms may be triggered during the late afternoon shift change, leading to higher levels of anxiety or confusion.
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, other factors that can trigger sundowning symptoms include:
- Being exhausted from a busy day
- Changes in the body’s internal clock or an upset in the circadian rhythm
- Lower lighting and increased shadows can cause people to misinterpret what they are seeing and cause them to feel confused or anxious
- Picking up on non-verbal cues of frustration from caregivers who are tired
- Feelings of disorientation when awakened from a dream due to the inability to separate dreams from reality
What Makes Sundowning Worse?
Several factors can make sundowning worse, leading to more intense or frequent episodes of agitation and confusion. Fatigue plays a significant role—when seniors are overly tired from the day's activities, their ability to cope with confusion decreases.
Disruptions to their daily routine, such as unexpected visitors or changes in the environment, can also increase their agitation. Bright lights and loud noises in the evening, as well as overstimulation, can overwhelm those living with dementia. Additionally, dehydration, hunger, or physical discomfort such as pain can exacerbate sundowning symptoms, making it essential to address these basic needs before symptoms intensify.
Ways to Manage Sundown Syndrome
Unfortunately, there are no magic pills that can make sundown syndrome more manageable, and because the causes are unknown, treatments are not well established. The best way to manage sundown syndrome is to help your loved one cope by establishing a regular routine, making sure that they are avoiding caffeine and sugary foods, and limiting stimulation in the evening.
Helping your loved one feel safe by minimizing surprises and establishing a predictable daily routine can help reduce their anxiety and confusion and increase the likelihood that they will get enough restful sleep.
Caring for a Senior With Sundown Syndrome
Family caregivers caring for a senior loved one who has sundown syndrome can cause caregiver stress and increase the likelihood of caregiver burnout.
Visiting Angels Chattanooga has experienced caregivers who can help. In addition to providing personal care for seniors in Chattanooga, Dunlap, Signal Mountain, and the surrounding communities, our caregivers are trained to deal with the various stages of dementia.
We have collaborated with top dementia specialists to develop a dementia certification program to ensure that our caregivers are aware of the special needs and challenges involved in caring for someone suffering from the symptoms and risks of dementia.
Give us a call today at (423) 424-0944 or Contact Us online to schedule a free in-home consultation to learn more about how Visiting Angels can help care for your loved one.