Sundowners Syndrome presents as a collection of symptoms that arise in Alzheimer’s patients around the same time each day. In many cases the symptoms start in late afternoon and go well into the evening which lends to the name of the syndrome. Many common symptoms that consistently present during these time frames are:
-Agitation
-Anxiety
-Emotional Outbursts
-Paranoia and hallucinations, and
-Wandering.
The exact timing and the types of behaviors presented vary greatly from person to person. It may even occur first thing in the morning. Research still has not revealed the cause(s) behind the syndrome. One theory is that over the course of the day, a senior diagnosed with Alzheimer’s falls victim to sensory overload. The stress and overwhelm leads to the behaviors exhibited.
Another theory is that fatigue causes the onset of the symptoms. Some also wonder whether nightfall plays a part by causing the senior to feel anxious over seeing shadows and generally not seeing as well in the dark.
Some ways to manage Sundowners Syndrome include:
-Using melatonin (or even stronger prescribed medication) to help the senior sleep longer and more deeply. This may alleviate some of the later in the day fatigue the following day.
-For those who suffer from delusions and hallucinations, a doctor may prescribe antipsychotic drugs like haloperidol, quetiapine or risperidone.
-Have the senior eat a heavier lunch and a lighter dinner and avoid caffeine. These dietary changes may allow them to wind down easier in the evenings and relax going into bedtime.
-Try to keep the senior on a predictable schedule. This may lessen anxiety going into twilight.
-Prevent the senior from napping in the afternoon, if possible. Allowing them to go to bed earlier may prevent some of the symptoms associated with Sundowners Syndrome.
-Pet therapy is proving to elevate moods in seniors and prevent a lot of the worrisome behaviors.
When an episode occurs, caregivers should remain calm and try to use a soothing voice. Validate the senior’s experience. Known as meeting them in their reality, this approach of validating while reassuring them of safety yields better results in getting the senior to calm down than trying to argue reality.
Sundowners Syndrome can be very difficult for caregivers to endure. At Stouffer Legal we recognize the struggles caregivers face. For more information on our elder law services contact us for a consultation.
You can schedule an appointment by calling us at (443) 470-3599, emailing us at office@stoufferlegal.com, or register for an upcoming free webinar using the link below:
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