Sundowning behavior is behavior that occurs with dementia which include restlessness, agitation, irritability, or confusion that can begin or worsen as daylight begins to fade—often just when tired caregivers need a break.
The term "sundowning" refers to a state of confusion occurring in the late afternoon and lasting into the night.
Sundowning can cause different behaviors, such as confusion, anxiety, aggression or ignoring directions.
Sundowning can also lead to pacing or wandering.
Sundowning isn't a disease.
Certain activities and environments can trigger your loved one's sundowning, things like fatigue, loud noises, discomfort, taxing activities or changes in environment or caregivers.
Sundowners Syndrome usually occurs in the first or 2nd stage of dementia however Sundowners Syndrome may not occur until later on as the dementia progresses and gets worse.
The early signs of Sundowners include Anger, Anxiety, Depression, Fear, Extreme Agitation, Paranoia, Delusion and Emotional Outbursts.
Sundowner's Syndrome is a term that refers to a state of confusion often occurring in the late afternoon and spanning into the night.
Symptoms of Sundowner's Syndrome include things such as confusion, anxiety, aggression or ignoring directions.
Some people who suffer from Sundowner's Syndrome may also do things such as pacing or wandering off and get confused to where they are.
Most Alzheimer's patients have experienced Sundowner's Syndrome before the onset of the Alzheimer's disease and some Alzheimer's patients may continue to have Sundowner's Syndrome as well.
Some treatments that can help people experiencing Sundowner's Syndrome include bright light therapy, melatonin, acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor antagonists, antipsychotics, and behavioral modifications.