The active day’s hustle and bustle have ended, and our loved one is ready for bed. Yet, you may find that this is not the case. During this time of day, behaviors associated with sundowners syndrome emerge and may continue throughout the night.

Living with a person experiencing sundowners syndrome can be challenging and frustrating. Watching a loved one struggle to complete even the most basic of tasks can be disappointing, both for the person experiencing sundowners syndrome as well as their caregivers.

However, there are ways that you can reduce this frustration. This is why it’s essential to understand sundowners syndrome and the best ways to cope with it.

Understanding Sundowners Syndrome

Sundowners Syndrome is a condition that affects the brain, causing confusion, memory loss, and disorientation in the evening. It’s most common in people with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.

A number of symptoms associated with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia include changes in mood and behavior that are often difficult to understand.

Someone suffering from memory loss may experience sundowner’s syndrome. Also called sundowning or late-day confusion, which may begin in the late afternoon and continue throughout the night. As the hours progress, the sundowner’s symptoms may increase.

Understanding the cause of sundowners syndrome can help ease the frustration of living with a person with the condition.

What Causes Sundowners Syndrome?

Several factors could increase the risk of someone suffering from sundowning. These include:

1. Dementia

Dementia is commonly associated with progressive confusion, difficulty processing information, and difficulties in reasoning – it can also alter the body’s internal clock that differentiates day from night.

Additionally, dementia affects the internal body clock of people with sleep and waking patterns, making it difficult for them to keep track of time and maintain their regular routines.

2. Medications

Sedatives, antidepressants, and other medications may cause people to experience more symptoms of sundowning than others.

Certain medications can also cause symptoms similar to those experienced by people with dementia, including confusion, agitation, and sleep disturbance. These medications will often have side effects listed on their packaging. Still, you must speak with your doctor before changing any medication regime if you think it might be causing these problems for you or someone else in your family.

3. Sleep Disorder

There are many sleep disorders that can lead to sundowning, including sleep apnea and restless leg syndrome. Insufficient sleep prevents the body from resting and recovering from the day’s activities.

Sleep is a vital part of the bodily recovery process, affecting your loved one’s sleep quality. For the elderly, however, this is much more severe. Due to their bodies slowing down as they age, they require more sleep in order to feel rested and energized.

4. Depression

Depression also increases the odds of experiencing sundowning. This is because depression has a way of altering your behaviors as well as your ability to process information and make sound judgments.

As a result, people experiencing depression are more likely to become confused or agitated at unexpected times of the day. Knowing the risk factors for depression will help you recognize these symptoms.

5. Aging

Aging is a factor that can increase the odds of contracting sundowning simply because dementia and Alzheimer’s are more common in older people. As both conditions are associated with sundowning symptoms, you may notice your loved one exhibiting strange behavior at night.

Identifying these risk factors can help you determine whether your loved one has sundowning symptoms and what you can do to help them.

What Signs Should I Look For?

These are the most typical signs of sundowning that you should look for. These signs include:

1. Difficulties With Memory

Memory loss is often associated with aging. Almost all seniors will experience some type of memory loss. It’s a normal part of aging and doesn’t usually cause a problem.

However, if you are experiencing a sudden decline in your memory, it could signify that you suffer from sundowner syndrome.

2. Difficulties With Speech

People with sundowner syndrome also often have trouble speaking clearly and may have difficulty understanding what others are saying because their speech becomes more slurred and mumbled than usual. As a result, communication with loved ones and others around them can be difficult.

3. Inappropriate Behavior

Another sign of sundowner syndrome is inappropriate behavior. The person may become aggressive or angry when they would not normally behave this way during the day or evening hours when the sun is out (sundown).

Identifying the cause of sundowning behaviors, feelings, and thoughts is the key to helping your loved one. These are the following behaviors associated with sundowners syndrome:

Verbal aggression – this includes swearing and using foul language that is not normal for the person
Physical aggression – any behavior that is considered physically threatening, such as hitting or kicking
Incontinence – involuntary urination and sometimes bowel movements in which the person was unaware or unable to control their bladder. It’s essential to note that this symptom can also be related to another medical problem. If you experience incontinence, you must consult a doctor.
Restlessness – the inability to sit still or calm down, pacing aimlessly, rubbing or pressing their hands, or walking back and forth.

4. Anxiety

Signs of anxiety include the inability to relax, difficulty sleeping, and difficulty concentrating. This is because sundown syndrome affects the brain and nervous system, causing a person to become restless.

5. Panic Attacks

It is also common for individuals with sundowner syndrome to suffer panic attacks during sleep or the morning after they wake up. They can happen during what would normally be considered regular sleep hours as well as during naps throughout the day; however, they tend to occur more frequently at night when there’s less light around!

6. Disorientation

This is a feeling of being lost or confused. It can also be described as being unable to find one’s way around a familiar place like the house or workplace.

How Do I Treat Sundowner Syndrome?

Unfortunately, there is no cure for sundowner syndrome. However, there are ways that you can treat this condition effectively. These include:

1. Balance Your Diet

A healthy diet will help maintain your energy levels throughout the day and may be able to counteract symptoms in some cases. Making sure you get all the nutrients your body needs and eating a balanced diet is critical. This will ensure that your body will have enough energy to function correctly.

2. Exercise Regularly

Exercise is another great way to help manage your symptoms and improve overall health. It’s essential to find an exercise routine that works for you. Try different activities until you find something that makes you feel good physically and mentally

3. Establish A Daily Routine

Establishing a daily routine can help you feel more organized and control your day. You can do this by setting aside time for eating, sleeping, and exercising. Stay on top of your schedule, so you don’t get overwhelmed.

In establishing a routine, it’s important to include your mental and physical needs first. As you prioritize your daily activities, you’ll be able to prevent sundowners syndrome from occurring.

4. Sleep Properly

If you are dealing with sundowner’s syndrome, you must get enough rest each night to function properly the next day and have a healthy body. If your sleep is not disturbed, there will be less of an opportunity for symptoms of sundowner’s syndrome to occur.

5. Take Medications Properly

Taking medication as directed can also help to prevent sundowners syndrome. If your pills contain sedatives, you should be careful not to overdo them because this can lead to symptoms of sundowning syndrome.

It’s essential to follow the dosage instructions provided by your doctor; this will help minimize sundowners syndrome’s effects. There is no cure, and there is no guarantee that medication will prevent this condition from occurring. However, taking medication as prescribed can help you manage symptoms of the syndrome.

6. Get Adequate Lighting

Light therapy is a great way of managing symptoms and slowing the condition’s progression. However, be sure to get proper, adequate light therapy because this can help you regulate your sleep-wake cycle more easily

7. Seek Support

If you have been diagnosed with sundowner syndrome, you must seek support from your loved ones. You must have a good social network of people who can support you when the symptoms of this condition become bad. You should also consider counseling or therapy because this will help reduce sundowner syndrome symptoms and improve your quality of life.

Final Thoughts

Sundowners Syndrome can be challenging, but some things can help to manage symptoms. These include good nutrition, regular exercise, and establishing a routine. Remember that it is important to take your medication as directed by your physician and follow your doctor’s instructions.

Are you or someone you love suffering from Sundowners Syndrome? Or are you looking for a trusted Senior Care provider in your area? If so, Serenity Senior Care can help!

We are dedicated to enriching the lives of seniors and their families by delivering the best senior home care services available. Our staff of experienced nurses and certified caregivers tailor their services to your loved one’s needs and work hard to provide peace of mind that your loved one is receiving the best care available. We are available 24/7 and can help care for a spectrum of senior care needs.

For more information about Sundowner Syndrome and our services at Serenity Senior Care, don’t hesitate to contact us today!

Understanding Sundowners Syndrome and Tips For Coping With It