As I have never fully understood this term, I looked it up on the Alzheimer's Society's website, so that I could understand it a little better, and understand what the Consultant was talking about on Friday
Sundowning
Sometimes a person with dementia will exhibit an increase in certain behaviours in the late afternoon or early evening.
For example, people may become more agitated, aggressive or confused. This is often referred to as ‘sundowning’.
This pattern may continue for several months and often occurs in those in the moderate to severe stages of dementia. It can be particularly distressing for carers if they are trying to relax or have some quiet time.
Sundowning may be caused by:
• disturbance to the 24-hour ‘body clock’ that tells our bodies when to sleep, caused by the physical changes to the brain
• loss of routine at a previously busy time of day • too little or disturbed sleep •
too little or too much light
• prescribed medication (eg for pain or discomfort) wearing off
• medications that worsen confusion and agitation • excessive or disturbing noise.
Using the term ‘sundowning’ may mean that people attribute out-of-character behaviours to dementia and overlook other factors causing the behaviour, such as someone trying to communicate.
It is important to look at and address the potential reasons why someone is behaving out of character.
Sundowning – tips for carers •
Try to give the person something meaningful to do at this time of day, using past activities as a guide.
• Plan quiet and relaxing activities for late afternoon/evening.
• Think about what’s happened during the day.
Could the person’s behaviour be a communication of a need such as requiring the toilet,
feeling hungry or being in pain?
• Consider minimising daytime naps and make sure the person gets enough light, especially sunlight.
• Exercise can be beneficial for helping someone to sleep.
• Improving the environment can help someone to sleep better, as can reducing intake of caffeine and alcohol in the evening.
• Keep lighting appropriate – if it’s too dark the person may become distressed as seeing things becomes harder, but if it’s too bright it may cause overstimulation.
Sundowning
Sometimes a person with dementia will exhibit an increase in certain behaviours in the late afternoon or early evening.
For example, people may become more agitated, aggressive or confused. This is often referred to as ‘sundowning’.
This pattern may continue for several months and often occurs in those in the moderate to severe stages of dementia. It can be particularly distressing for carers if they are trying to relax or have some quiet time.
Sundowning may be caused by:
• disturbance to the 24-hour ‘body clock’ that tells our bodies when to sleep, caused by the physical changes to the brain
• loss of routine at a previously busy time of day • too little or disturbed sleep •
too little or too much light
• prescribed medication (eg for pain or discomfort) wearing off
• medications that worsen confusion and agitation • excessive or disturbing noise.
Using the term ‘sundowning’ may mean that people attribute out-of-character behaviours to dementia and overlook other factors causing the behaviour, such as someone trying to communicate.
It is important to look at and address the potential reasons why someone is behaving out of character.
Sundowning – tips for carers •
Try to give the person something meaningful to do at this time of day, using past activities as a guide.
• Plan quiet and relaxing activities for late afternoon/evening.
• Think about what’s happened during the day.
Could the person’s behaviour be a communication of a need such as requiring the toilet,
feeling hungry or being in pain?
• Consider minimising daytime naps and make sure the person gets enough light, especially sunlight.
• Exercise can be beneficial for helping someone to sleep.
• Improving the environment can help someone to sleep better, as can reducing intake of caffeine and alcohol in the evening.
• Keep lighting appropriate – if it’s too dark the person may become distressed as seeing things becomes harder, but if it’s too bright it may cause overstimulation.
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I always say that we may have this illness, but we are all so different.
This is my own daily problems, but I would gladly share anyone elses, if they send them in,