Dementia is commonly related to changes in considering, memory, reasoning and behavior. Some dementia patients are likely to develop into more confused, agitated and anxious within the evenings. This phenomenon is described as sundowning.
Although sundowning just isn’t a disease, the patients may suffer from a series of symptoms:
- Shadowing – the patients are likely to follow the caregiver wherever they go
- Insomnia or decreased sleep
- Pacing or rocking in a chair
- Agitation and confusion
- Irritability
- Yelling or crying
- Hallucinations
- Disorientation
- Infection or illness
Around one out of 5 individuals with Alzheimer’s get sundown syndrome. Some elderly individuals who shouldn’t have any form of dementia may suffer from the symptoms.
The increased confusion, wandering and lack of sleep develop into frustrating for each the patients and the caregivers. So, it is necessary to know the aspects that contribute to sundowning.
- Low lighting
- Unintended effects of medicines
- Being hungry or thirsty
- Depression
- Being bored
- Pain
- Overstimulation through the day
- Disrupted sleep cycle
Tricks to help patients with sundowning
1. Find the underlying cause – If the symptoms are because of an infection or side effect of a medicine, they could be corrected by discussing it with a healthcare provider.
2. Help them have a healthy day by day routine – Getting up and sleeping at regular times and having light exercise through the day might help the patients to have reduced symptoms. Caregivers can schedule the patient’s outings, visits and bath time to an earlier time within the day in order that they feel less stressed within the evenings.
3. Help them to avoid thi0gs that affect sleep – Avoiding caffeine, alcohol and smoke may help combat insomnia. The patients mustn’t be given heavy meals at night and may limit their naps before bedtime.
4. Create a chilled environment – Caregivers can make sure the patients have a snug environment. Bringing in additional light to the room and having less loud noises around may help the patients. Easy steps like putting on relaxing music or encouraging them to read or go for a walk may help them to be calm.
5. Know how you can react – Caregivers must understand how they need to react when the patients show increased aggression and anxiety. Staying calm and having a reassuring conversation may help agitated patients to calm down.
Published by Medicaldaily.com