LLT# 209 - "Sundowning" : Why Do Persons with Dementia "Change" When the Sun Sets?👵🏽👴🏽🌇😕

#sundowning #dementia #dementiasupport #dementiacaretipsandtricks #delirium #moodchange #alzheimerawareness #elderlycare #healthyaging #brainhealth #seniorcare #familycaregivers #mindfulness #habits

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"SUNDOWNING" : a term that can cause confusion as much as it causes distress in both the person with dementia and the entire family!

This term "sundowning" refers to a state of increasing confusion that occurs in the late afternoon and lasts into the night.

Some symptoms can be more distressing than others: as it seems that your loved one goes from baseline Dementia or Alzheimer's disease to plain bizarre behaviour - almost everyday at sunset!

🌇😕Is THIS your reality?

🌇😕Why does it happen?

🌇😕What can you do?

The good news, if you can call it such, is that - SUNDOWNING is NOT a disease, and although it has no known cause/source, there ARE ways to recognise signs and mitigate the daily disruption.

Some causes:

🌇😕Suddenly changing environments, such as the doctor's office or visiting relatives , or transitioning to another care facility

🌇😕Low lighting in the day, can increase shadows, which may cause the person to become confused by what they see and what time of day it actually is. This can be harsh enough to cause hallucinations and increased agitation

🌇😕Trouble separating reality from dreams

🌇😕infection, such as a urinary tract infection , pneumonia

A mixed-up "internal body clock." Often the person living with Alzheimer's may feel tired during the day and awake at night.

🌇😕Pain or boredom

Common SYMPTOMS:

🌇😕Confusion aggression

🌇😕Anxiety

🌇😕Aggression or

🌇😕Ignoring directions.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

😊🌇✅Keep a predictable routine for bedtime, waking, meals and activities --HABITS

😊🌇✅Limit daytime napping

😊🌇✅When /if possible, spend time outside in the sunlight during the day, or open the curtains to let sunlight in : reduces day/night confusion

😊🌇✅Listening to calming music and looking at older photographs (TV is generally a distraction)

😊🌇✅Talk to the person's doctor about the best times of day for taking medication.; some calming teas or natural herbs or traditional medication may help - (THIS CHANNEL DOES NOT ENDORSE ANY SPECIFIC MEDIACL THERAPY)

Observe, Seek help, Ask questions!

One day/hour at a time

From my heart to yours always💗

Dr. Lana