InTouch with Southern Kentucky March 2020 | Page 27

Seniors and Sundowning: What
it is and how to cope with it
S
undowning is a symptom
of Alzheimer’s disease
and other forms of demen-
tia, most often affecting
people who have mid- and
late-stage dementia. Confusion
and agitation worsen in the late
afternoon and evening when the
sun goes down, and symptoms are
less pronounced earlier in the day.
Sundowning is also called “late-day
confusion.”
Sundowning behaviors can be
verbal or physical. They can occur
suddenly, with no apparent reason, or
predictably result from a frustrating
situation. While it can be hard to cope
with, it can help when you realize
that the person with Alzheimer’s or
dementia is not acting aggressively
on purpose.
Factors that may aggravate sun-
downing
End-of-day exhaustion (both mental
and physical)
An upset in the “internal body
clock,” causing a biological mix-up
between day and night
Reduced lighting and increased
shadows, causing people with Alzhei-
mer’s to misinterpret what they see,
so they become confused and afraid
Disorientation due to the inability
to separate dreams from reality when
sleeping
Change in the normal routine
Reactions to nonverbal cues of frus-
tration from family caregivers who
are exhausted from their day
Strategies for managing the symp-
toms of sundowning
Provide comfort and familiarity. For
loved ones with dementia, the world
can be scary. Surround them with
comfortable pillows and blankets,
family photographs, figurines, and
other familiar objects.
Light up the home in the evening.
Adequate lighting may reduce the agi-
tation that occurs when surroundings
are dark or unfamiliar.
M arch 2020
Make a comfortable and safe sleep
environment. Keep a comfortable
room temperature. Provide night-
lights and appropriate door and
window locks. Door sensors and
motion detectors can be used to alert
family members when a person is
wandering.
Maintain a schedule. As much as
possible, encourage the person with
dementia to adhere to a regular daily
routine of meals, waking, and going
to bed.
Avoid stimulants and large dinners.
Avoid nicotine and alcohol, and
restrict sweets and caffeine to the
morning hours. Turn evening meals
into more of a light snack.
Plan more active days. Discourage
afternoon napping and plan activities
for the morning or early afternoon.
Encourage daily exercise, but no later
than four hours before bedtime.
Minimize Stress. Try to stay calm
in the evening hours. Stick to simple
activities that aren’t challenging or
fear-inducing. You might put on soft
music to create a calm environment.
Watching TV or reading a book may
be too hard to follow and frustrating
for the senior.
Try to identify triggers and write
them down. Limit distractions during
the evening hours such as loud
music, people coming and going, etc.
Keep a journal of activities, envi-
ronment, and behavior to identify
triggers. Then you can avoid those
situations that promote agitation and
confusion in your loved one.
Be mindful of your own mental and
physical exhaustion. If you are feeling
stressed by late afternoon, the person
may sense it and become agitated or
confused. Get plenty of rest at night
for more energy during the day.
Comfort Keepers® can help. Sun-
downing syndrome can be exhausting
for seniors who suffer from Alzhei-
mer’s and other forms of dementia,
as well as their families. Comfort
Keepers not only understands this
challenge, but we also offer respite
care for family members so you can
remain patient and supportive for
your loved one. Call us today.
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