Alzheimer's and Sundowners

Alzheimer's and Sun-downers

It's 5:00 p.m., and all of a sudden your calm, serene mother is now very agitated, angry, and maybe even combative. Nothing you do seems to help, and quite frankly, you're nervous and maybe even frightened. It seems as if there is nothing you can do. Take heart; you're not alone, and there is help.

Previously: Sundown Syndrome Is More Than Just Depression!

What your loved one with Alzheimer's is experiencing is called Sundowners. It is very common for those with Alzheimer's disease to become increasingly agitated as daylight fades away into night. Why the agitation?

Let's use you as an example. Say you have a child in school, and everyday, you pick her up from school at 3:30 p.m. You've been picking her up since kindergarten, and now she is in the eighth grade. So all in all, you've picked her up for the better part of nine years. How would you feel, if 3:30 arrived, and you knew you had something important to do, but you couldn't remember what it was? What if you felt a strong urge to dosomething, and the later it got the more agitated you became? And that's just after a nine-year habit.

Now, let's think about your mom. For years and years, your mom took care of the house and your dad went to work. Come sundown, it was time to begin preparation for dinner. Taking care of husband and children was her job. It was who she was. Now, all these years later, she has Alzheimer's disease, and with each passing day, more and more of her memory is wiped away. Now sundown comes, and she knows she should be doing something, but what is it? That's why it's called Sundowners Syndrome. But what can you do about it? How can you help?

There are actually several things you can do. And things you can try. Here is a list of some of some of the things that have been successful for others.

1. Before darkness approaches, make sure the house is well lit. The brightness inside, reduces the feeling of time passing.

2. Buy mini blinds that are a bright color. This also gives the illusion of daylight.

3. Think of what your loved one used to do at the time she begins to get anxious. Was it cook? Take her into the kitchen and give her something to do. Who knows? It might calm her down.

4. Calming, less exciting activities as the afternoon progresses.

Understanding what is happening to your loved one, is the beginning of the solution.

Source: http://EzineArticles.com/328886

Sundown Syndrome - It's More Than Just Depression

Is Sundown Syndrome More Than Just Depression?

Sundowning (also referred to as sundowners syndrome) is not a disease, but rather a group of symptoms. Though it is sometimes mistaken for depression, which is common among the elderly, there are many symptoms of sundowning. Some of the common signs include:

Previously: What is Sundown Syndrome?

• Rapid mood changes
• Increased confusion and anxiety
• Increased agitation or irritability
• Increased hostility, uncooperativeness or aggression
• Crying, depression or fear
• Severe cases can lead to pacing, hiding things, wandering, hallucinations and paranoia

Some studies report that as many as 20% of seniors with Alzheimer's disease may experience increased depression, confusion and agitation toward the end of the day. The exact cause of sundowning is not known, but there are a number of factors that likely play a role, such as:

Fatigue. The wear and tear of the day can be physically and mentally exhausting by the time the sun is starting to set. This doesn't just apply to the elderly but also to their caregivers, who may be tiring and unknowingly displaying nonverbal cues of frustration that someone with Alzheimer's or dementia will read and react to.

Reduced Light. As the sun's natural, bright light fades, vision becomes even more challenging for elderly loved ones, who often already struggle with impaired vision. Diminished lighting and increased shadows may also cause seniors with dementia to misinterpret what they see and become confused and afraid.

Disturbances to the "biological clock." Some scientists believe that dementia alters the part of the brain that monitors the need for sleep and controls when to sleep and wake. This may make it difficult to separate dreams from reality.

Increased activity. There may be a lot going on around sundown. At senior living facilities, this is when shift changes occur. The fervor of people coming and going may be unsettling for some.

Knowing these possible triggers has helped develop ways for caregivers to better manage sundowning. The key is identifying the cause of the change in behavior. Helpful tips for managing sundowning include:

Maintain a routine. Stick to a consistent schedule for waking up, eating and going to sleep.

Plan activities during the day. Schedule appointments and outings during the day, when the elder feels best and can enjoy exposure to the sun. This will also help them sleep at night.

Limit distractions. Reduce loud noises and stimulating activities such as TV.

Diet. Avoid caffeine and sugar (or limit them to early in the day).

Improve lighting. Make sure that rooms are well lit to avoid a dark and unfamiliar environment.

Build familiarity. Create a relaxed setting through photographs and familiar items. Use gentle distractions, like softly playing a favorite album, when the sundowning typically occurs.

Remember that your elderly loved one is not choosing to act the way that they are. A calm, helpful demeanor from their caregiver can make a big difference.

Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9076787

What is Sundowning? | Sundown Syndrome

What is Sundown Syndrome?

Sundowning Guide

Sundown Syndrome, also called Sundowning or Sunsetting is a behavior common in people with Alzheimer's disease. It usually occurs at dusk and into the evening hours! The episodes may last a few hours or throughout the night.

While the exact cause of sundown syndrome is not known, experts believe there are several contributing factors. These include physical and mental exhaustion (after a long day) and a shift in the internal body clock caused by the change from daylight to dark. Some people with Alzheimer's disease have trouble sleeping at night, which may contribute to their disorientation. Medication that can cause agitation or confusion also may be a contributing factor to this syndrome.

Sundown syndrome can be draining for the person with Alzheimer's disease and his or her caregivers.

NOTE:

I am saddened to report that Uncle Sammy passed away on July 29, 2012

We kept him at home as long as we could. 

His final hours were spent in a nursing home as we were unable to provide the full care he needed.

Towards the end he could not walk and had problems swallowing food.

Uncle Sammy with Sundown Syndrome AKA Sundowning & Sunsetting

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Ak1tgzv_0Q