What Causes Sundowning In #Dementia

1- Activities Ideas
2- What to say/do for specific Challenging Behaviors

Thanks for watching!

[nullusanxietas]

The theory I heard and somewhat agree with/can attest to as an ex-cna is that the end of the day triggers an anxiety response stemming from the obvious change/passing of time.

At the beginning of/during sunset (our dinner time), our fake bus stop got busy, and the garden was full from wandering or trying to go home. I think a lot of people with dementia, especially late-stage, feel like they need to be somewhere, and a setting sun makes being there more important, so as to get to bed on time, or get to work, or care for (now adult) children and pets from a long-lost past.

[gabrielaofgod]

As a first responder I’ve seen soooo many different triggers during sundowning and #1 is the dark. They often see shadow figures. It’s very sad.

Side story: I went to transfer a man to a different nursing facility when I noticed his hand was broken. He was completely unperturbed by it. No pain complaints at all. Apparently he escaped the facility and broken his hand getting the door open. He ended up a couple miles down the road looking for his deceased wife. The only way the facility found out about it was when a family member was notified by paramedics that “grandpa” was found wandering the streets. I remember family being soooo upset!

[megiab]

thank you SO much for saying hypotheses instead of using "theories" you have no idea how refreshing this is. Your content is remarkable

[theGEnericE]

With my dad, I think it is the inability to know what comes next. Imagine feeling like you are the family protector but you don't remember if you've done everything you need to do to protect them. So you try to do it, forget the next step, start over, and it becomes a sad, vicious cycle for him. 😢

[fireincarnation]

Also reduced vision in the dark. Sometimes turning the lights up will help with symptoms

[sherrysanchez]

My husband's mother, who has Alzheimer's, had paranoia & agitation every night. We took her to her memory Dr & she prescribed a medication which helped tremendously.

[kristenadams]

Thank you for Grandma breaking the 4th wall....it means I can understand the reasons better.

[LuLuSprings]

I want to say that i really appreciate your vids. I came across them a few months back and found it so informative. My father was battling dementia for about 3 yrs and his journey finally concluded last month. Its mind boggling the torture this disease does to the individuals brain and wish anyone going through or has a love one going through dementia the strength to handle it.❤

[loreleialexander]

Sundowning also happens in the pediatric psychiatric community

[dusklvr]

A lot of my elderly clients who had children would suddenly sit up look around and say "I gotta go get my kids!"

At sunset that primal instinct kicks in.

[memedemon]

I used to care for a lady that had sundowners. she was very sweet but toward evening she would get very sad bc she missed her home, she was living in a nursing home.

[mariabeatrizlopezperalta]

I used to take care of my grandma, and once (at the very early stages) I asked why she got so upset/out of character at the end of the day (she would become like another person, aggressive or loose control of her bodily functions) And she told me she didnt know why, and that scared her and she dreaded the end of each day. I didnt even know what Sundowning was at that time, I learned about it later. I wish I was better prepared during those days.

[Nanoheadache]

I like how she was asking grandma that was a sweet take

[markprescott]

Just learning about this and the nervousness at night. She goes into panic mode

[janwillard]

I vote the brain tired theory. Definitely true in my husband. ❤

[rachelleitch]

Is it possible that another hypothesis could be relating to the fact that the individual knows that the end of the day is getting closer and the end of the day is usually spent in your own home/bed. Whatever home/bed means to the individual (childhood, first married home etc)

[aprilgoggans]

I always figured, given the time of day, that it’s a cortisol drop. This also explains why mornings are better - lots more cortisol.

[lrioje]

I attended a geriatric symposium a while back and one of the reasons they gave was the sun going down could signify that their “work day” was over and that it was time to go home

[ruthannemackinnon]

Former hospital nurse- ive seen many times patients without dementia diagnosis clearly have sundowners while sick. Most are elderly & it may be part of illness induced delirium

[margaretsalinas]

I get wierd at sundown any way.. I have been like this most of my life. It got to be an issue as a ahild when we were nearly homeless a lot. It may be from trauma.