Sundowning: What It Is And How To Help

Sundowning refers to a change in a person's behaviour in the later afternoon or toward the end of the day. Hence the name sundowning.

This might continue into the night, which of course means it can be really difficult for them to get enough sleep at night.

Sundowning isn't necessarily linked to the sun setting or limited to that time of the day. Sundowning can happen at any stage of dementia but is more common in the middle stages and later stages and can occur at any point during the day.

What is Sundowning?

Sundowning usually starts in the late afternoon towards the evening. It can present itself through agitation, irritability, confusion, and even hallucinations.

Sundowning dementia can be dangerous for the person and other people around them.

Other names:

• Sundowners
• Sundown syndrome
• Night-time dementia

Symptoms of sundowning

Some of the most common symptoms of sundowning are:

• Disorientation
• Confusion
• Agitation
• Pacing
• Wandering
• Restlessness
• Demanding behaviour
• Insomnia
• Anxiety

What causes sundowning?

The reasons behind why sundowning happens are not well understood. Many experts believe different reasons why sundowning might occur. Some experts believe it is caused by changes in the brain as dementia memory loss progresses. Some believe it is related to our internal body clocks and that we tend to be more active during the day, and more restful at night which can cause dementia sufferers to become more confused at night. Others believe it is due to environmental factors such as light or noise in the environment around them.

What triggers Sundowning?

There are a few things that trigger sundowning. These changes become more significant when there are changes to their environment, like moving home for example.

Other triggers might be some of the following:

• Fatigue
• Hunger or pain
• Overstimulation during the day
• Changes in their body clock
• Mood disorders such as anxiety or depression
• Side effects of prescribed drugs

It is important to note that some of these are not affected by the time of day and may happen at any time.

Although it can be really difficult for the caregiver of the person suffering from sundowning, it is important to remember that they might be trying to communicate a need such as going to the toilet, experiencing pain, or being hungry.

Tips on reducing sundowning

• Make sure all medications are taken as prescribed
• Seek help and support from family and friends around you
• Distract them by talking about something they really enjoy, or even a memory they might love to remember.
• Reducing noise, clutter, and people from the room
• Make the early evening a quiet time of day
• Adjust lighting, natural lighting in the daytime, and softer lighting in the evenings.

How homecare services can help with sundowning dementia

Everyone experiencing sundowning will experience it in their own unique way. There is no one size fits all answer for sundowner treatment. Some people might benefit from medication, others from trying to remain physically active, having a steady routine, or even being in touch with family and friends more often.

To help someone with their sundowning, their loved ones might look to get help from a home care service. This will allow the home care service to work together with the loved ones and the person experiencing sundowning to create a routine that keeps them on track with a care plan and medications. Home care services can help with lots of different tasks, such as laundry, cleaning, medication, food shopping, and more in-depth personal care. They can even provide companionship and respite care which is crucial to those with sundowning dementia. It is a good way for family, friends, and loved ones to reach out for help in a safe, understanding, and caring way to allow them to take a break when they are feeling overwhelmed.

Getting help

 It is important to reach out for help to ensure the safety of both yourself and your loved ones. You can get help and treatment from your GP service who will be able to get the right treatment that will help you manage your sundowning better.

 If you would like more information about the home care services that can be of help then please get in touch so that we can help you to create the home care plan you need that works around you.