Sundown Syndrome Agitation

Sundown syndrome is a medical term that refers to the period of time when the sun has set and provokes increased agitation and restlessness in people who have Alzheimer's disease as well as other dementia conditions. Due to their confusion, people experience agitation as a result of their dementia when late afternoon or night-time arrives.

History

• Sundown syndrome is also known as sundowners syndrome, sundowners or sundowning. While most of the individuals who suffer from sundown syndrome have dementia-related conditions, such as Alzheimer's disease, not all people who have this condition will experience sundowning. The exact science for why people who have dementia-related conditions experience this phenomena remains a mystery.

Time Frame

• Sundowning usually occurs between dusk and prior to the sun rising. In the summer, the increased periods of sunlight ease the symptoms of confusion and agitation, while conversely, in the winter, the shorter periods of sunlight seem to affect the individual more. In addition, the periods of agitation from sundown syndrome do not have to last all night. In fact, it is possible for a person to have a short episode of sundowners syndrome, such as when the sun finally sets. After a brief episode, the person may settle down.

Features

• Tell-tale signs that someone is experiencing a sundowning episode are extreme confusion and agitation during the darker hours. People with conditions such as Alzheimer's disease have different perceptions of things so the slightest bit of confusion can bring on a fit of agitation. In many cases, the agitation can be diverted, in other instances the person may become verbally or physically abusive. It is important to note that the agitation may not be visible in terms of aggression though a person may wander, ask frequent and repetitive questions or hide things.

Prevention/Solution

• While there is no way to halt an episode of sundowners syndrome, there are methods that can be used to try and alleviate the agitation. The main key is to keep the person's surroundings as bright and lighted as possible. This will serve in making her feel as if she is in a lighted, sunlit environment and will lessen the chances of confusion. Another important step in lessening the chances of an episode of sundowning is to minimize the noise in the person's surrounding. That may only add to his confusion and agitation. Try to maintain a calming environment. If you find the person sleeping in a recliner, or a place that is not a bed, do not force her to get up and move to her bed. The sudden, startling gesture may lead to confusion and exacerbate agitation. Lastly, in certain situations, the person's health care provider may prescribe a sleep aid or other medications to lessen the agitation and help the person sleep.

Warning

• Always remember that a person who has Alzheimer's disease or other dementia-related condition may not have any idea of what he is doing. To that person, agitation and confusion may seem logical. Never argue with a person during a sundowning episode or try to become aggressive or loud. This will increase agitation and may create an unstable situation putting yourself, the person or others in danger.