Night times are turning ‘interesting’ in our house. I have noticed for a while now that Ma is finding it difficult to tell night from day. Daylight saving just adds to the confusion as it’s so dark in the morning and so light in the evening. A nap in the afternoon just makes her think it’s now morning and time for breakfast. Each night it’s different. Some nights she’ll sit up all night on the side of the bed. She won’t tell me why, she just says that she feels more comfortable. I’ll walk in to find her slumped backwards or sideways or even with her head in her lap. Other nights she’ll sleep through other than toilet stops. From what I’ve read and from what I’ve been told, it’s more than likely that Ma is experiencing what is called Sundown Syndrome or Sundowning.
Sundowning or Sundown Syndrome is when people with dementia become more confused, restless or insecure late in the afternoon or early evening. It can be worse with triggers such as a move or a change in their routine. People suffering from sundowning can become demanding, restless, upset, and suspicious, disoriented and even hallucinate, especially at night. Attention span and concentration can become even more limited.
Nobody knows what causes sundowning, although it seems to result from changes that are occurring in the brain due to dementia. People with dementia tire more easily and can become more restless and difficult to manage when tired.
Sundowning may relate to lack of sensory stimulation after dark. At night, there are fewer cues in the environment, with the dim lights and absence of noises from routine daytime activity. Ma’s perception of night and day has really diminished. At 2am in the morning she will think it’s time to get up even though it’s pitch black outside. Lately she has wandered down to my room crying. She thinks she is alone in the house and wants reassurance that I’m still there. (I really don’t know where else I’d be except home, but that’s the nature of the confusion). She also says she’s cold (it has been very warm lately, even of a night. I’ve been sleeping with only a sheet. She wants a poncho on or her winter dressing gown.
As the dementia worsens and the sufferer understands less about what is happening around them, they may become more frantic in trying to restore their sense of familiarity or security. It is said that the person becomes more anxious about ‘going home’ or ‘finding mother’ late in the day which may indicate a need for security and protection. They may be trying to find an environment that is familiar to them, particularly a place that was familiar to them at an earlier time in their life. Ma at her worst, will talk about going to the ‘other house’ which is exactly the same as ours but somewhere else…. But she doesn’t know where. She is always convinced there are other people living in the house with us. I always show her the locks on the windows and doors and tell her about them.
A person experiencing sundowning, may be hungry, uncomfortable, in pain or needing to use the toilet, all of which they can only express through restlessness. Factors or triggers, as I like to call them, that can have an impact on behaviour when the sun goes down include:
- Fatigue – Ma just doesn’t sleep very well and tends to drop off during the day sitting up. This can go on for days until finally she is so exhausted she sleeps.
- Hunger – I’ve yet to find this a problem with Ma. She likes her food.
- Infection – such as a urinary tract infection. A sudden change in behaviour could indicate there is an infection. In my experience the regular symptoms of a urinary tract infection ie. regular need to urinate, temperature and burning when urinating don’t apply to Ma, her confusion just increases dramatically. She will get her possessions and pack up her wheeled walker and go off around the house.
- Pain – There are many causes of pain such as shingles, neuralgia etc. Pain can get progressively worse through the day. Ma suffers from chronic pain due to arthritis. After years of taking very strong pain killers (opiates) her system can no longer handle them due to her fragile state. Since decreasing her pain medications and starting her back on an anti-inflammatories her pain seems to be back under control without the heightened confusion. She also takes Curcumin with black pepper, a natural anti-inflammatory suggested by her urologist.
- Medication – Consider whether restlessness is due to medication eg medication may be causing ‘restless’ legs or cramps; diuretics may be causing incontinence, some medications may cause agitation.
- Constipation and/or dehydration can significantly affect behaviour. This is certainly true in Ma’s case. If she hasn’t emptied her bowels, her confusion increases. I keep a strict eye on her bowel movements as she suffers chronic constipation and needs laxatives every day to keep on top of things. She doesn’t like drinking either, except cappuccinos or brandy… Trying to get her to drink any other fluid is an uphill battle. Again, her confusion increases when it’s a hot day and she won’t drink. A glass of fluid (of the right sort) usually decreases her confusion.
- Extreme temperatures such as a heat wave. Ma’s brain can’t seem to tell her when she is getting overheated. She will sit in a jumper when it’s very hot with her body perspiring but she still doesn’t think she’s hot. Her confusion will increase and it’s only when I get her cooled down that her confusion decreases.
Where to begin
Always discuss concerns about change in behaviour with their doctor, who will be able to check out whether there is a physical illness or discomfort present, and provide some advice.
Arrange for a thorough medical examination and discuss the person’s medications with the doctor. Sometimes changing the dosage or the time that medication is given can help relieve the symptoms. The doctor will also be able to advise if there may be undesirable side effects of medication. Reducing some of Ma’s strong pain medications has led to a marked reduction in her confusion.
Suggestion that may help
- Early afternoon rest – If fatigue is making the sundowning worse, an early afternoon rest might help. Keep the person active in the morning and encourage a rest after lunch. Ma drops off to sleep sitting up during the day. I try and keep her stimulated with activities but sometimes I don’t win.
- Avoid physical restraint – Don’t physically restrain the person. Let them pace where they are safe. A walk outdoors can help reduce restlessness. I hear Ma get up and listen to where she is going. I always breathe a sigh of relief when it’s the toilet and I get up and help her. It’s when she ‘travels’ further that I start to worry and try to find out where she is going.
- Encourage comforting pastimes – Some people are comforted by soft toy animals, pets, hearing familiar tunes, or an opportunity to follow a favourite pastime. Nightlights or a radio playing softly may help the person sleep. Ma finds great comfort in the cats. The old boy, Colonel Gadarffi like to cuddle and smooch. I sometimes go in to find her hands lying on him as she sleeps. Ma likes to listen to the radio which is push button, so easy for her to operate. She can’t work the television so if she wants to watch a program I turn it on and off for her.
- Minimise noise and lights – Consider the effect of bright lights and noise from television and radios. Are these adding to the confusion and restlessness? Ma has her bedside light on all night. I also have a sensor light in the hall and keep the toilet light on all light so she can see where she is if she gets up. My bedroom door is on the way so she wakes me up when she goes past.
- Check for objects – clothing hanging on doors, doonas folded over, pillows doubled up, curtains and mirrors, can all be misconstrued. Ma will think they are people and refuse to enter the room or sleep in the bed as she thinks there is somebody already there.
- Avoid upsetting activities – Try not to arrange baths or showers for the late afternoon if these are upsetting activities. The exception may be the person who is calmed by a hot bath before bed. Ma sometimes wants a PTA (which is a bit of a rude acronym for ‘girl bit’, bosom and armpits) rather than a shower. Usually when she is really tired or she is feeling cold.
- Consider medication – Some people may need medication. This will need to be discussed with the doctor. Ma was on regular strong pain killers and Mogadon for many years. Her confusion has decreased with the reduction of these drugs. We are reluctant to use any medication at this stage.
- Stuffed toys, pets, familiar music or a favourite activity can help comfort and distract the person. Ma has taken a liking to documentaries on television. At the beginning of the week I read through the television guide and highlight what I think she will like. This makes them easier to find. I always send her stuffed cat with her when she goes into hospital or respite. I also play her favourite music in the car on the way to appointments and in the house. Dragging out the cook books and discussing recipes and what we are going to make goes a long way in distracting her.
- Daylight saving seems to wreak havoc with Ma’s internal clock. Because it is still quite dark at 6am and still light at 7pm she gets very confused. She has told me she doesn’t like these 24 hour days!
A lot of the information I’ve placed on here is from the Alzheimer’s Australia website which has a lot of useful information.
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