Tips for managing and preventing ‘sundowning’ in people living with dementia as clocks change
Sundowning is a term used for changes in behaviour which occur in the evening or around dusk, when some people living with dementia can experience an increased sense of agitation or anxiety
As the clocks change and the evenings become longer, Dementia UK, the specialist dementia nursing charity, shares tips to help carers and families manage ‘sundowning’ – a term used to describe common symptoms experienced by people living with dementia in the evening or around dusk.
Sundowning has several causes. As the day goes on, people living with dementia can become more tired, and this can lead to their dementia symptoms worsening. Hunger, thirst and physical pain can also play a part. As darkness falls and people settle in for an evening, these changes can make someone with dementia concerned that they are in the wrong place or have forgotten to do something important during the day.
To help carers and families deal with a potential increase in sundowning brought on by the clocks changing, Dementia UK has pulled together a list of tips and advice to help spot, manage and prevent sundowning. The charity has also created an animation with information on sundowning.
How to spot sundowning
- Sundowning often can make people living with dementia feel strongly that they are in the wrong place
- They might say they need to go home, even if they are at home, or that they need to pick the children up from school, even if their children are now adults
- Other symptoms can include shouting, arguing, pacing or becoming confused about who people are and what’s happening around them
Tips for managing sundowning
- Use distraction techniques: go into a different room, make the person a drink, have a snack, turn some music on or take them out for a walk
- Ask the person what the matter is. Listen carefully to their response and if possible, see if you can deal with the reason for their distress
- Talk in a slow, soothing way
- Speak in short sentences and give simple instructions to try to avoid confusion
- Hold the person’s hand or sit close to them and stroke their arm
Tips for preventing sundowning
- Introduce an evening routine with activities the person enjoys and try to keep to television and radio stations set to something calming and quiet
- Follow a daytime routine with activities the person enjoys
- Try to limit their intake of caffeinated and alcoholic drinks – try offering them caffeine and alcohol-free alternatives
- Try to limit daytime naps to encourage them to sleep well at night
- Close the curtains and turn the lights on before dusk to ease the transition into night-time
- Cover windows, mirrors and glass doors with a sheet or curtain – reflections can be confusing for people with dementia
- Avoid large meals in the evening as this can disrupt sleep patterns
If you need advice or support on managing sundowning, or on any aspect of living with dementia, contact Dementia UK’s Admiral Nurse Dementia Helpline on 0800 888 6678 or email helpline@dementiauk.org.
The Helpline is staffed by experienced Admiral Nurses. You can also book a free video or phone appointment to get expert dementia support from an Admiral Nurse. Find out more at dementiauk.org/appointment.