Some senior patients with Alzheimer’s disease may experience shifts in mood and behavior as the sun sets. Medical experts and caregivers refer to such sudden changes in the elderly as sundown syndrome.
Seniors with dementia often experience confusion and agitation. However, the dementia symptoms intensify when episodes of sundowning strike. In bright daylight hours, sundown symptoms in seniors with Alzheimer’s are less pronounced.
Sundowning causes
Sundowning is often explained as a consequence of external factors. For example, it’s often common when Alzheimer’s patients have sundowning symptoms. Such patients who undergo physical pain may show symptoms. Tiredness, boredom, and depression are also among the factors that can become the reason of sundowning.
Seniors with dementia may have difficulty distinguishing images in dreams from reality. They also undergo greater confusion as shadows increase during evening hours. Low lighting also contributes to the syndrome.
Sundowning signs
The most common signs of sundowning include increased confusion and agitation once the night comes. Such patients also often experience anxiety, pacing, uncharacteristic outbursts and wandering. Such people become extremely upset or stressed late in the day.
Whenever you or your loved ones experience the sundown syndrome and need professional help, you can always rely on the Volga Home Care team. We are experienced in delivering a wide range of services to seniors living in locations near Houston, TX.