By Ewa Frydel, Owner

Many seniors with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia experience sundowning. This may be a common term you have heard before, but how familiar are you?

This blog will go over what sundowning syndrome is and various causes. You’ll also learn about ways to cope with your elderly loved one experiencing this challenge.

What is Sundowning?

There is not just one symptom as it pertains to sundowning. In fact, many seniors show multiple signs such as agitation, increased confusion, and restlessness. Typically this happens as the sun goes down, specifically in the late afternoon or evening.

Individuals with cognitive impairments, like Alzheimer’s disease, are affected the most. Exact causes of sundowning are still unclear, however, several factors contribute to its onset. Most commonly, disruption to your senior loved one’s biological clock or routines can bring on sundowning irritability.

Recognizing the Symptoms of Sundowning

These symptoms can vary, but are still important to look out for:

-Agitation and restlessness

-Confusion and disorientation

-Behavioral changes, such as difficulty communicating, pacing, and wandering

-Sleep disturbances, like staying awake all night

Causes of Sundowning

As mentioned earlier, disruption of one’s internal clock can easily contribute to sundowning symptoms. Our seniors in need do best when following a routine. However, during Daylight Savings or seasonal shifts in the timing of sunrise and sunset, many elderly people face sundowning the most.

Others causes may be:

-Fatigue and exhaustion, such as having too much physical activity or even simple daily activities they were once used to doing.

-Sensory overload, like a social gathering or loud noises.

-Hormonal imbalances, as with melatonin, cortisol, and dopamine

To cope with sundowning, you can call on a caregiver to offer support. However, if you are here as a family caregiver and are new to Alzheimer’s disease or sundowning, there are ways you can reduce the stress for you and your loved one.

Coping Strategies for Sundowning

1. Establish a routine. Seniors do very well sticking to the same routine day after day. Do your best to ensure bedtime is the same time each night. Close curtains if it’s too bright outside or add brighter lights if the sun sets too early.

2. Create a calm zone. If the environment is full of energized people or pets, this can easily stimulate and agitate your senior showing sundowning symptoms. Be sure you aren’t hosting social gatherings late into the evening and keep the noise around to a soft and tranquil level.

3. Avoid stimulants. If your senior smokes, definitely get them to stop immediately. However, you will want to limit or forgo alcohol, smoking, caffeine and sugar once that clock strikes noon, or whatever time you feel is most appropriate.

4. Get professional help. Always speak with your senior’s health care professional. Do this as soon as you notice even the slightest change in behavior all the way to advance stages of Alzheimer’s disease or sundowning. You will want to have the guidance of their doctor through and through.

Remember that you are not alone.

Sundowning can be scary for your senior but also for anyone caregiving. It’s a difficult challenge to cope through, but there are resources available for you. Reach out to support groups and talk to others about how they’re handling sundowning behaviors.

Also, do not hesitate to contact us for caregiving support.

We are familiar with sundowning and our caregivers are highly qualified to assist you and your senior loved one, as well as your surrounding family members.

We’re here for you!

Legal Disclaimer
This blog provides general information and discussions about understanding sundowning and should not be construed as medical advice.