Addressing Sundown Syndrome in Alzheimers Care

When caring for a loved one with Alzheimer, you will want to look out for warning signs of Sundowners Syndrome. Sundown syndrome, or 'sundowning', can result in your senior exhibiting more energy instead of the expected wind down mentality in the late afternoon and evening hours.

After a long day of Alzheimer's care, a caregiver is ready for a much needed break. It is important to notice as you begin preparing your senior's personal care evening routine, signs of Sundown Syndrome.

'Sundowning', produce a range of behaviors that can be very frustrating for your loved one and on the caregiver. These include disorientation, anxiety, and aggression. While there is no cure for sundowners, there are ways to lessen its effects and help you manage your senior's personal care evening routine.

According to the Alzheimer's Society, Sundowner's Syndrome is most common in the middle and later stages of dementia and Alzheimer's care, and can continue for a few months. There are key issues in your senior's personal care that can bring about sundowning:

• Turmoil to the 'body clock' that informs the bodies to sleep
• Too much or not enough light
• Not enough or interrupted sleep
• A lot of noise
• Medications wearing off

Getting elderly companion care or in home nursing, can help the caregiver not only succeed with your senior's personal care routines but navigate through managing and minimizing the triggers. Sunlight Care offers services in the Cherry Hill area including elderly companion care that can be an invaluable resource assisting with Sundown Syndrome and Alzheimer's care.

The National Institute on Aging shares some ideas to help avoid sundowning with Alzheimer's care:

• the caregiver or Sunlight Care's In Home Nursing program can divert the attention of the senior with a favorite snack, favorite activity or even an object like a photograph.
• Turn on relaxing music
• Draw the curtains or blinds at early evening to minimize shadows
• Refrain from food and beverages with caffeine from the afternoon on
• Avoid planning a lot of activities throughout the day, which can be exhausting.

If you notice sundowning is persistent, seek medical advice. While Sundowning can commonly occur alongside Alzheiner's care, there may be other origins such as pain, sleep issues, or other disorders.

Finally and most importantly, remember you do not have to do this alone. Sunlight Care in the Moorestown, Haddonfield and all surrounding areas has many top rated services for Alzheimer's care including in home nursing that will alleviate the stress and confusion when care needs increase. We provide completely custom and affordable solutions for your family.