What is Sundowning?

Sundowning, or ‘sundowner’s syndrome’, refers to increased confusion, agitation, and restlessness experienced by dementia or Alzheimer’s patients in the late afternoon or evening, typically as daylight begins to fade. This phenomenon can sometimes continue into the night, presenting a unique challenge for those caring for loved ones experiencing these symptoms.

Managing Dementia

Read Now

Understanding Sundowning

It’s important to understand sundowning as a distinctive symptom within the broader framework of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. While the 7 stages of dementia involve a range of cognitive and behavioural changes, sundowning typically occurs during the middle stages of these conditions.

During the late afternoon and evening, individuals may begin to show increased confusion and disorientation, becoming more agitated or restless. People might seem more moody, anxious, or demanding, and in some cases, may also experience hallucinations or delusions. As the symptoms often worsen as the night progresses, these can disrupt sleep and cause further distress to the individual and their caregivers.

The Causes of Sundowning

The causes of sundowning are not entirely understood, although it’s believed to be related to changes in the brain caused by Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Possible explanations include disturbances in the internal body clock, overstimulation from a busy day or reduced light causing confusion between day and night.

How to Recognise Sundowning

It’s crucial to recognise the signs that dementia is worsening, and increased sundowning symptoms can be one such sign. Some common indicators of this syndrome include increased confusion or anxiety as the day progresses, agitation or suspiciousness, pacing or wandering, and difficulty sleeping at night.

How to Manage Sundowning

There’s no singular cure for sundowning, and it’s most frequently handled by managing the symptoms. Keeping a consistent routine can help ensure the individual gets sufficient direct sunlight during the day and reduces daytime napping.

However, each person is unique, and so what works will vary. It is all about finding effective strategies for both the individual experiencing the symptoms and the caregiver. Through PrimeCarers, you can find useful resources and connect with experienced caregivers who can provide personalised care and advice to manage these symptoms.

Distraction and reassurance are other effective ways. Engage them in relaxing activities during these hours – here are 37 activity suggestions. Sometimes, you may also need to accept certain behaviours, such as late-night walks in a secure area, as long as they are not harmful.

You may also find helpful tools such as a dementia clock, which can help orient the person to the time of day, reducing some of the confusion they might encounter.

Coping with Sundowning As a Caregiver

Caring for a loved one who is experiencing sundowning can be challenging. It’s critical to remember that these symptoms are part of the condition they’re experiencing and are not reflective of their feelings towards you.

Make sure to care for yourself, too – when you are well-rested and have had time for yourself, you are more likely to provide the best care for them. Reach out to dementia support networks, or consider joining a dementia café, a safe and understanding environment for caregivers and those with dementia.

If the symptoms of sundowning and other aspects of dementia become hard to manage at home, it may be time to consider the option of residential care. When deciding at what point dementia patients should go into care, it’s essential to consider their safety and well-being and the quality of life for everyone involved.

Conclusion

While sundowning challenges individuals and caregivers, understanding what it is and how to manage it can make all the difference. Through patience, empathy, and evidenced-based dementia care strategies, the period surrounding sunset can become calmer for everyone involved. It’s a journey for the person experiencing sundowning and their caregivers – but remember, you are not alone. Resources and people are available to help navigate through this.