Daily Restlessness After Sunset? Know More About the Sundowning Syndrome

When elderly people become confused or agitated in the late afternoon, evening, or nighttime, the term "sundowners syndrome" or "sundowning" is used.

What Is Sundowning Syndrome?

Sundown syndrome or sundowning is a sleep disorder that is one of many grouped symptoms known as dementia.

Sundown syndrome affects about 66% of Alzheimer's patients, and the term "sundowning" refers to the time of day when the symptoms appear.

How Do People with Sundowning Syndrome Behave?

Sundowning is a group of disruptive behaviors that, unlike delirium, only occur in the evening. How can you tell if someone you care about has sundowning syndrome? Examine whether they exhibit any common behaviors at sunset or at night.

Sundowning syndrome patients may exhibit the following behaviors:

Confusion, difficulty understanding others, and difficulty doing tasks that were done without difficulty earlier in the day

Anxiety and panicking

Agitation, aggressiveness, increased verbal activity like yelling, and resistance to redirection

Restlessness

Increased motor activity like pacing or wandering and attempting to leave home

The aforementioned behaviors can occur in any combination, but they will worsen around nightfall and may last all evening. Those experiencing a sundowning episode may also experience hallucinations. They may also refuse to take medication, blur the lines between reality and dreams, or insist on visiting their children even if they live in a nursing home or assisted living facility.

Even if a person has dementia, they will appear more confused, nervous, and tense during a sundowning episode than they do during the day. The intensity and duration of sundowning events can vary.

Tips to Deal with Sundowning Syndrome

It may take some trial and error to figure out how to respond to sundowning. Everyone is unique and will react differently. Some tips for preventing or alleviating a sundowning episode include:

Avoid napping or keep naps brief

Request that recreation staff schedule calming activities during times of agitation

Limit the amount of sweets and avoid caffeine at night

Provide enough lighting to assist in identifying objects and people

Provide comfort items such as a favorite pillow or blanket

Plan and encourage daytime activities

As a distraction, provide reassurance and reminisce

Here is a poster to share with your friends and family that shows how the behavior of a person with sundowning syndrome could change throughout the day. You could be the one who saves a life!

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