What Stage of Dementia is Sundowning?

Dementia affects individuals in different ways, but one symptom that affects a significant portion of patients is sundowning. This blog post explores what sundowning is, its common symptoms, potential causes, and ways to manage and treat the condition. Learn about the onset of symptoms, triggers, and how to differentiate between sundowning and delirium.

[coffeegator]

I had never heard of this before watching this video. I have no idea what it's like to experience this phenomena first hand but I've tried imagining it like this. Having a very short term memory and constantly finding yourself inexplicably in places throughout the day might be like finding yourself suddenly somewhere in a dream, not aware of how you got there. If I suddenly realized that I was having breakfast in my house without realizing I had gotten up and dressed before going downstairs to eat, then in a dream it would be easier to assume that I was just tired and had the rest of the day to shake the sleep off. If I suddenly realized I was being driven somewhere by a trusted loved one during the day, then I'd be much less alarmed than if I was in a car with someone I couldn't see at night, even if it was the same loved one driving me during the day. If I found myself suddenly realizing that it's the end of the day or night time, then it's more difficult to have the "just gotten up explanation" to comfort myself. Compound that with people naturally getting more cranky and having a shorter fuse when tired, then I can see it being a much more likely time for frustration and/or anxiety. My maternal grandfather died from Alzheimer's when I was a little boy. I remember seeing part of the emotional cost it was for my mom. I hope everyone who is looking for understanding with what their loved ones are going through finds help with these videos and those like it. I know there are false bus stops put up near some assisted living homes for the residents to gravitate to during the day and associating it with coming and going about their day and being active. I wonder if a night time version could help. Maybe not a bus stop outside, but a go-to type thing to break tension like suggesting needing to get ready for the movies, to go get dinner, or if they enjoyed their nap (to possibly explain part of the day missing to them?)

[beverlytaylor]

The thumbnail question finally gets answered at 12:00.

[thewoundedhealer]

I find it very hard to distinguish between narcissism and sundowning. In fact, I see no differences at all. The tips given for dealing with Sundowners are virtually the same as dealing with narcissists too. Both have lost their ability for reasoning. Both get progressively worse. Both are paranoid, hallucinate, falsely accuse, and live exclusively in the moment. Both suffer from memory loss, etc. etc. etc.

[Squirrellykk]

Great tips! Thank you. The lady I care for does this but she sleeps fine when she falls asleep. I have to leave as she will ask the same question 3x in just one minute. No one can tolerate that so I go downstairs then she starts downstairs just 2 min later. Oh well, it was a 2 min break nonetheless. The multiple glasses of Josh wine she insists on drinking most nights doesn't seem to serve her well (It's 50% deluted but still). I try to keep her busy during the day, same routine. Our walk outside for 20-30 min, then we work on a puzzle for 2 hrs (she likes that and can still do that) Thank god for puzzles! We really have fun together doing puzzles. Watch tv then go for a short drive to get out then make a meal.

[svaught]

My friends doctor said that about late afternoon they get tired struggling so hard to understand the world.

[thewoundedhealer]

That’s very interesting. I had not heard of Sundowning before. Thank you.

[HenryRaeburn]

Well, the stage sundowning you can work it out yourself, end of the day, equals late stage of dementia if dementia is the sun your time is nearly over

[Encourageable]

Good summary. My mom has it and it and it’s driving us, her kids, crazy. Early in the day she seems fine - maybe not 100% her old self - but reasonable. Around 4:00 she becomes a very different person. And it seems like it came on quickly (when she moved to Assisted Living).

[chanweiming]

It's time to ask Yusof over to say some and Timotee to sing some carols.

[francesbernard]

Seems to me that people in jail no matter what their age is regardless if they have dementia might start behaving in the same ways when feeling bored, frustrated and disoriented when not having enough choices in how they spend time. People with dementia may be struggling with unpredictable and undetected by them over time loss of their sensory abilities making it harder for them to adjust in long term care which is offen structured too much like a jail in that kind of wing. Sad when a nursing home which tries to revolutionize their sevices by taking their clients all out for a walk (or an outing in their wheel chair) once a day gets shut down by the city who then orders a stop sign to be put way too much closer to the sidewalk. I saw that happen on a block where a nursing home is.

[berenlevia]

My step- Dad has this, I recognized it from reading about it years ago, and talked my Mother about it .

Step- Dad has all of these symptoms with progression over the last 3 years .

Step Dad has Dementia with A. and is also a dependent diabetic, so Mom and I have a trifecta to deal with and it is hard at times - but we love my Step Dad and we work to make life good for him no matter work .

From what I understand it has to do with the lack of sunlight producing dopamine in the brain..