Have you ever heard about sundowner’s syndrome? This is something that is linked to dementia. It happens as the sun is going down. The person with this syndrome would likely experience increased anxiety, confusion, and frustration during the evening through nighttime hours. They might act out in anger, as well. You might notice that your elderly loved one yells that loved ones and elderly care providers more in the later hours of the evening and night. They might get scared when in the darkness of their home. If you suspect or know that your elderly loved one has sundowner’s syndrome, you should follow the tips mentioned below to help them as much as possible.
Keeping to a Schedule
Elderly Care in Harris, TX: Sundowner’s Syndrome
For those who have sundowner’s syndrome, a consistent schedule can help a great deal. When your elderly loved one knows what to expect with eating, bedtime routine, activities, and everything else, they will be less overwhelmed with what is happening. They will be able to predict what is going to happen next and might not experience such severe symptoms later in the evening or nighttime.
Using Distraction
If your elderly loved one is experiencing sundowner’s syndrome, you can use distraction to help them. When your loved one is confused or agitated, you can ask them if they are hungry. Getting them something to eat could help to distract them from the negative emotions they are having. You can also ask your loved one if they want to help with household chores such as making their bed or putting away the dishes.
Increasing Their Activity During the Day
If you know that your elderly loved one is having increased negative behaviors later in the day and nighttime, one of the things that might help is increasing their activity during the day. By doing this, you can help your elderly loved one to be more tired when it is time to go to sleep. The increase in activity should be toward the middle of their day.
If your elderly loved one does have sundowner’s syndrome, this can make things tough on them, yourself, other family members, friends of your loved one, and elderly care providers. However, there are tips, as mentioned above, that could potentially help to reduce the symptoms of sundowner’s syndrome that your loved one experiences. Try these tips to see what helps your elderly loved one and what doesn’t. Once you figure out what works the best, you can continue to use those tips to reduce the symptoms that your elderly loved one has each night.
If you or an aging loved-one is considering Elderly Care in Harris, TX please contact the caring staff at Viv Health Care Services today at. (832) 871-4223
Sources
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/tips-coping-sundowning
https://www.healthline.com/health/dementia-sundowning