How Our Alzheimer’s Care Services Help Seniors in Longmont, CO and Surrounding Areas Manage Sundowner’s Syndrome
With Alzheimer’s care from Visiting Angels, seniors in Longmont, Boulder, Louisville and surrounding areas in Boulder County, CO can get the support they need to manage symptoms of Sundowner’s Syndrome
Living with Alzheimer’s disease can be difficult for families in Boulder County. According to the Mayo Clinic, Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia and is characterized by symptoms such as memory loss, confusion and disorientation and difficulty communicating, reasoning and handling complex tasks.
Alzheimer’s can cause 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 Boulder County can help. We provide Alzheimer’s care which includes behavior modification to help manage sundown syndrome.
What is Sundowner’s Syndrome?
Sundowner’s Syndrome, also known as sundown syndrome or sundowning, 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 sundown syndrome.
Doctors are unsure what causes sundowning behavior, but many believe it could be caused by sensory stimulation overload, a hormone imbalance which affects the sleep-wake cycle, anxiety or fatigue.
Some behaviors and emotions that may arise during an episode of sundowning include:
- 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 can range from a short time to the entire night. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, call Visiting Angels of Boulder County for professional Alzheimer’s care services.
How Can Visiting Angels of Boulder County Help?
As one of the community’s leading providers of Alzheimer’s care services, Visiting Angels of Boulder County can help your loved one manage sundowning episodes right in their own home. Our caregivers understand that flexibility and empathy are essential to helping your loved one feel at ease, so you can have peace of mind knowing they’re in good hands.
Here’s how we help seniors stay calm and at ease:
- 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 your loved one’s 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 nutritious meals.
- Use distractions. We can add activities, music or television to soothe your loved one. Diverting their attention from troubling thoughts and comforting them with familiar activities can help your loved one feel calm throughout the day.
- 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.
- Darken their sleep environment. Our caregivers can make sure your loved one’s 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 reach out to your family and recommend speaking to their doctor. 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.
When it comes to Sundowner’s Syndrome, every person is different. That’s why at Visiting Angels of Boulder County, our Alzheimer’s care services are personalized. We can provide the care and support your loved one truly needs to ensure they stay safe and comfortable in their own home.
For more information on how our caregivers can help your loved one, call our Longmont, CO office at 303-848-2331.
Visiting Angels provides personalized Alzheimer’s care and other in-home care services for seniors in Longmont, Allenspark, Boulder, Eldorado Springs, Erie, Hygiene, Lafayette, Louisville, Lyons, Nederland, Niwot, Pinecliff, Ward and the surrounding areas of Boulder County, CO.