How We Help Seniors in Bethesda, MD Manage Sundowner’s Syndrome
Living with Alzheimer’s disease can be a challenge for both seniors and the entire family. According to Mayo Clinic, Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia and causes symptoms such as memory loss, confusion and disorientation and difficulty communicating, reasoning, and handling complex tasks.
Seniors living with Alzheimer’s can experience different symptoms at different times of the day. Sundowner’s Syndrome, which occurs in the evening, can be very difficult to manage. Visiting Angels of Bethesda can help. Our at-home caregivers can help with behavior modification to help manage Sundowner’s Syndrome through our Alzheimer’s care services.
What is Sundowner’s Syndrome?
Sundowner’s Syndrome is also known as sundown syndrome or sundowning. It is a change in behavior, temperament or personality that occurs in the late afternoon or early evening. According to WebMD, one out of five people with Alzheimer’s disease suffers from Sundowner’s Syndrome.
Doctors are unsure what causes sundowning behavior. They suspect it could be caused by sensory stimulation overload, a hormone imbalance which affects the sleep-wake cycle, anxiety or fatigue.
If your loved one has Sundowner’s Syndrome, they may experience symptoms like:
- Anger
- Agitation, restlessness
- Anxiety
- Confusion
- Depression
- Fear
- Stubbornness
- Rocking
- Delusions, hallucinations
- Hiding things
- Paranoia
- Violence
- Insomnia
- Yelling, screaming, or crying
- Shadowing
- Wandering or pacing
These behaviors can become progressively worse and range from a short time to the entire night.
How Can Professional At-Home Caregivers Help My Loved One?
As one of the leading providers of Alzheimer’s care in Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties, Visiting Angels of Bethesda can help your loved one manage sundowning symptoms, as well as other Alzheimer’s symptoms. Our team of at-home caregivers understand that flexibility and empathy are essential to helping seniors who have Sundowner’s Syndrome feel at ease.
Our at-home caregivers offer these strategies to restore peace and calm:
- Notice triggers. What events or activities cause their behavior to change? Does the evening news agitate your loved one? Is the late afternoon busy with activity in your home? Interruptions to the daily routine and nutrition can cause poor behavior. Our caregivers can help your loved one stick to routines and limit caffeine, sugar and alcohol consumption by preparing healthy meals.
- Use distractions. We can add activities, music, or television to your loved one’s end of the day routine to calm and soothe them. Diverting their attention from troubling thoughts and comforting them with the familiar things they love can reduce the likelihood of a sundowning episode.
- Increase lighting. In addition to natural light, the use of bright lights in the room will reduce evening shadows and maintain the daytime glow until it is time for bed. Our at-home caregivers can increase both natural and indoor lighting by opening curtains, turning on ceiling lights and more.
- Darken their sleep environment. We can make sure their bedroom is welcoming and serene. Light-blocking curtains can create a cocoon-like setting that encourages a restful night’s sleep.
- Consult their doctor. If our caregivers notice your loved one’s sundowning episodes have worsened, we may recommend consulting their doctor for further support. Some doctors recommend anti-anxiety medication, anti-depressants, or over-the-counter vitamin supplements. Use caution; the doctor should confirm there is no interaction with prescribed medications.
At Visiting Angels of Bethesda, we understand that every senior experience sundowning episodes differently. That’s why we customize care plans for every client. When you choose our agency for Alzheimer’s care, your loved one will receive personalized, one-on-one support that aims to help them live out their golden years at home safely and comfortably.
For more information on how our caregivers can help your loved one, call our Bethesda, MD office at 301-490-9050.