Sundowning symptoms can appear in up to 25% of all Alzheimer’s patients. Doctors now know that some seniors with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia show higher signs of aggression and anger after the sun goes down.
A lack of sunlight is known to affect the mood of people around the world. In Scandinavian countries and even in Alaska, the largest number of cases of depression and alcoholism are recorded during the months of little sunlight.
Sundowning
Sundowning is also known as nocturnal delirium or sundowning syndrome. It’s often observed in patients with Alzheimer’s and other memory illnesses. These patients usually experience restlessness, confusion, and start to wander more during the late afternoon or evening. They also have more anxiety and become easily agitated and can become aggressive with family or other caregivers.
Sundowning describes the terminology behind the word. With all the research done, it is clear the number of seniors who suffer from the disorder is on average with other adults who suffer the same.
Assessment and Action
If sundowning is expected in seniors with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, you need to have them fully evaluated to rule out other causes for their symptoms. Here are a few suggestions:
• Medical Evaluation – First, if a senior with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia is receiving treatment at home by family or other loved ones, they should receive a medical examination by a qualified doctor if sundowning is suspected. Sundowning can sometimes be confused with delirium or other medical conditions.
• Conflicts between Caregivers and Patients – A drastic change in a patient’s behavior can sometimes be credited to a conflict between a caregiver and a patient. Therefore, if there are multiple people caring for a senior at home, this cause should be considered. If these symptoms occur only for one caregiver but not the other, this might be because of the psychological changes.
• Help Avoid Isolation – Seniors should never isolate themselves. You always need to respect their privacy, but they should not be left alone for long periods of time. They usually respond better when they are around other seniors.
• Recent Traumatic Experiences – Check to see if seniors have suffered a recent loss of a loved one or recently loss their independence. Or, maybe they have moved into a new facility in the past six to twelve months. These could also be contributing factors to sundowning.
• Physical Condition of Patient – As seniors get older, their neurological conditions can change rapidly. They may also have extreme vision loss, which interferes with their capacity to process light correctly. If you preserve enough ambient lighting during the day and the evening hours, this could reduce or stop sundowning conditions.
• Social Surroundings – If a senior is living in an environment that is surrounded by noise and other distractions, it could be adding to his or her discomfort about the lack of light.
Seniors should also be in a setting that provides basic information where they can see and record it in their minds. You should place calendars with the correct date displayed. Clocks need be at a level where they can be viewed. This prevents them from feeling confused and disoriented.
Possible Prevention Techniques
Here are some techniques that can help reduce or eliminate sundowning:
• Music – Try playing some of their favorite music to help them relax.
• More Sun Exposure – Caregivers can try giving their residents or loved ones more sunlight during the day. Take them outside or position them in front of windows when the sun is bright.
• Bright Lights – There are bright lights available that help seniors keep their regular circadian rhythms. This helps them have enough light during the day and even until it is time for them to get some sleep.
Sundowning – Conclusion
Seniors with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia have sundowning rates on average with the rest of the adult population. However, seniors are more apt to develop symptoms of yelling, depression, and other forms of aggression.
Applewood Our House has professional at its facilities to help with sundowning and other medical issues for Alzheimer’s and dementia residents. For more information visit us at our Lakewood or Golden, Colorado facilities
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