Sundowning is a symptom associated with dementia. Otherwise known as ‘late-day confusion’, if you’re caring for a loved one with the disease, you may find they become more confused and agitated during the late afternoon and evening. On the other hand, their symptoms may not be as prominent in the morning and daytime.
Once your loved one reaches mid to advance staged dementia, they’re likely to experience sundowning. Here are some tips you can take on board that can reduce sundowning, which will be beneficial for all parties.
Keep to a Routine
If your loved one is living with dementia, they may find it hard to create and remember new routines. Should your loved one react with confusion, stress, or anger when in unfamiliar places, sundowning can be the reason behind it. If possible, try and keep things exactly the same each day. This will be beneficial for the both of you.
Promote Activity
Many individuals who experience sundowning syndrome find it difficult to sleep during the night. One of the common triggers of sundowning is tiredness and fatigue. As you can imagine, this creates a vicious cycle. To help your loved one get a good night’s rest, try to to promote physical activity during the day. Of course, the level of exercise they do will depend on their stage of dementia. If in any doubt, speak to their doctor about what activity your loved one can do.
Alter Their Eating Patterns
Making minor changes to your loved one’s eating pattern can be a big help, especially in reducing sundown syndrome symptoms. If your loved one has a large meal, this can enhance their agitation, meaning they may find it difficult to sleep. It’s advised you encourage your loved one to avoid caffeine or alcohol too, as these stimulants can do more harm than good when it comes to sleep quality.
Minimize Stress
When late afternoon arrives, you need to help your loved one stay relaxed and calm. One way to do this is by encouraging them to stick to easy activities that are not too challenging. If your loved one has trouble with an activity, their stress levels can rise which will only add to their irritability and confusion. You may find playing soothing music can help your loved one relax and unwind. Also, ensure they’re in a peaceful and relaxing environment.
Track Their Behavior
Although sundowning syndrome is common for those living with dementia, each person will have different triggers. This means you’ll need to examine your loved one’s behavior so you can be on the lookout for what sparks symptoms. To help, you can download an app on your smartphone to monitor their behavior, environments, and daily activities, or write in a journal.
While the causes of sundowning are not fully understood, there are steps you can take which can help your loved one feel less anxious and distressed. If you have any concerns, don’t hesitate in seeking medical advice.
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