AlzheimersNotes.com

SUNDOWNING

Sundowning refers to the agitation and wandering that occurs with Alzheimer’s patients in late afternoon, about the time the sun goes down. For some reason that researchers don’t completely understand, Alzheimer’s patients frequently tend to become agitated about this time of day.

Some have a greater tendency to wander in late afternoon, too.  So they have to be watched more carefully at these times for their safety.

Have you experienced sundowning with your Alzheimer’s patient?

(Here’s an abstract about sundowning from the Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 9/22/07.)

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

AlzheimersNotes.com

One of the most frustrating aspects of caring for an Alzheimer’s family member or one with some form of dementia is their lack of need for sleep at night and their wandering when you want to sleep.  I found I cat napped and never slept soundly for the months Mother lived with us.

One of my Alzheimer’s Notes readers shares with us and asks for a solution:

I have a friend whose mother also has mild dementia and when she takes her turn at caring for her mother, she is up all night long.

We have had many conversations about what she and her sisters can do because they get no rest at all when they care for their mother. It is very frustrating for them and they have not yet come up with an answer.

Possibilities:

• Share the caregiving and try to alternate nights.  Or alternate day and night duties. This isn’t always possible, but see what you can work out.

• Talk with someone at a nursing home and see what they do. 

• Limit the area they can access at night.  I blocked off the stairs, the kitchen, and the office so there was only Mother’s sleeping area, living room, and bathroom available. 

• We locked the doors, so she couldn’t get outside.

• Put out snacks, magazines, and other items that might interest her in an area where there is a light on.

Do you have any suggestions?

(Amazon image; click image for details)

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen