Dementia symptoms: These tips could help reduce signs of sundowning in the evening

DEMENTIA symptoms may seem to get worse in late afternoon, or early evening. This is often referred to as ‘sundowning’, and could be caused by tiredness, hunger, or physical pain.

Sundowning is the term used to described behavioural changes in dementia patients in the evening time.

Some patients experience anxiety around dusk, and a growing sense of not feeling in the right place, according to charity Dementia UK.

Other symptoms include shouting, arguing, pacing up and down, and becoming increasingly confused.

But, the effects of sundowning could be reduced by minimising daytime naps, and by keeping lighting appropriate.

Dementia sundowning symptomsGETTY Images

Dementia symptoms: Sundowning may occur due to tiredness or hunger

As the day goes on, the person with dementia becomes more tired, and this can lead to their symptoms worsening

Dementia UK

“There are lots of reasons why sundowning occurs,” said Dementia UK.

“As the day goes on, the person with dementia becomes more tired, and this can lead to their symptoms worsening. Hunger, thirst and physical pain can also play a part.

“As darkness falls, street lights come on and people settle in for the evening, some people with dementia become increasingly concerned that they are in the wrong place.”

Sundowning could be less stressful for the patient by taking them into a different room, or by distracting them with music, the charity said.

Sundowning elderly dementiaGETTY Images

Dementia symptoms: Sundowning is the term used to describe symptoms getting worse in the evening

Dementia sundowning patientGETTY Images

Dementia symptoms: Dementia affects about 850,000 people in the UK

The charity also recommended asking the patient what’s the matter, and then addressing their problem directly.

Talking slowly, and holding the patient’s hand could also help to reduce the effects of anxiety, it added.

Sundowning could be prevented by limiting the patient’s caffeine intake. Alcohol could also be making symptoms worse.

Turning the lights on and closing the curtains before dusk may help to ease the transition into nighttime, while avoiding large meals late in the evening could help them to get a better night’s sleep.

Sundowning elderly dementia patientGETTY Images

Dementia symptoms: Keeping lighting appropriate could reduce the effects of sundowning

Dementia patient readingGETTY Images

Dementia symptoms: Keeping patients distracted could help to reduce the effects of sundowning

Long daytime naps should be discouraged, to help dementia patients sleep better at night. Reducing tiredness could help to ease some of the symptoms of sundowning.

“Introduce an evening routine with activities the person enjoys, such as watching a favourite programme, listening to music, stroking a pet etc.,” Dementia UK said.

“However, try to keep television or radio stations set to something calming and relatively quiet—sudden loud noises or people shouting can be distressing for a person with dementia.”

About one in five dementia patients suffer from sundowning.

Dementia symptoms: These tips could help reduce signs of sundowning in the evening

DEMENTIA symptoms may seem to get worse in late afternoon, or early evening. This is often referred to as ‘sundowning’, and could be caused by tiredness, hunger, or physical pain.

Sundowning is the term used to described behavioural changes in dementia patients in the evening time.

Some patients experience anxiety around dusk, and a growing sense of not feeling in the right place, according to charity Dementia UK.

Other symptoms include shouting, arguing, pacing up and down, and becoming increasingly confused.

But, the effects of sundowning could be reduced by minimising daytime naps, and by keeping lighting appropriate.

Dementia sundowning symptomsGETTY Images

Dementia symptoms: Sundowning may occur due to tiredness or hunger

As the day goes on, the person with dementia becomes more tired, and this can lead to their symptoms worsening

Dementia UK

“There are lots of reasons why sundowning occurs,” said Dementia UK.

“As the day goes on, the person with dementia becomes more tired, and this can lead to their symptoms worsening. Hunger, thirst and physical pain can also play a part.

“As darkness falls, street lights come on and people settle in for the evening, some people with dementia become increasingly concerned that they are in the wrong place.”

Sundowning could be less stressful for the patient by taking them into a different room, or by distracting them with music, the charity said.

Sundowning elderly dementiaGETTY Images

Dementia symptoms: Sundowning is the term used to describe symptoms getting worse in the evening

Dementia sundowning patientGETTY Images

Dementia symptoms: Dementia affects about 850,000 people in the UK

The charity also recommended asking the patient what’s the matter, and then addressing their problem directly.

Talking slowly, and holding the patient’s hand could also help to reduce the effects of anxiety, it added.

Sundowning could be prevented by limiting the patient’s caffeine intake. Alcohol could also be making symptoms worse.

Turning the lights on and closing the curtains before dusk may help to ease the transition into nighttime, while avoiding large meals late in the evening could help them to get a better night’s sleep.

Sundowning elderly dementia patientGETTY Images

Dementia symptoms: Keeping lighting appropriate could reduce the effects of sundowning

Dementia patient readingGETTY Images

Dementia symptoms: Keeping patients distracted could help to reduce the effects of sundowning

Long daytime naps should be discouraged, to help dementia patients sleep better at night. Reducing tiredness could help to ease some of the symptoms of sundowning.

“Introduce an evening routine with activities the person enjoys, such as watching a favourite programme, listening to music, stroking a pet etc.,” Dementia UK said.

“However, try to keep television or radio stations set to something calming and relatively quiet—sudden loud noises or people shouting can be distressing for a person with dementia.”

About one in five dementia patients suffer from sundowning.

Dementia symptoms: These tips could help reduce signs of sundowning in the evening

DEMENTIA symptoms may seem to get worse in late afternoon, or early evening. This is often referred to as ‘sundowning’, and could be caused by tiredness, hunger, or physical pain.

Sundowning is the term used to described behavioural changes in dementia patients in the evening time.

Some patients experience anxiety around dusk, and a growing sense of not feeling in the right place, according to charity Dementia UK.

Other symptoms include shouting, arguing, pacing up and down, and becoming increasingly confused.

But, the effects of sundowning could be reduced by minimising daytime naps, and by keeping lighting appropriate.

Dementia sundowning symptomsGETTY Images

Dementia symptoms: Sundowning may occur due to tiredness or hunger

As the day goes on, the person with dementia becomes more tired, and this can lead to their symptoms worsening

Dementia UK

“There are lots of reasons why sundowning occurs,” said Dementia UK.

“As the day goes on, the person with dementia becomes more tired, and this can lead to their symptoms worsening. Hunger, thirst and physical pain can also play a part.

“As darkness falls, street lights come on and people settle in for the evening, some people with dementia become increasingly concerned that they are in the wrong place.”

Sundowning could be less stressful for the patient by taking them into a different room, or by distracting them with music, the charity said.

Sundowning elderly dementiaGETTY Images

Dementia symptoms: Sundowning is the term used to describe symptoms getting worse in the evening

Dementia sundowning patientGETTY Images

Dementia symptoms: Dementia affects about 850,000 people in the UK

The charity also recommended asking the patient what’s the matter, and then addressing their problem directly.

Talking slowly, and holding the patient’s hand could also help to reduce the effects of anxiety, it added.

Sundowning could be prevented by limiting the patient’s caffeine intake. Alcohol could also be making symptoms worse.

Turning the lights on and closing the curtains before dusk may help to ease the transition into nighttime, while avoiding large meals late in the evening could help them to get a better night’s sleep.

Sundowning elderly dementia patientGETTY Images

Dementia symptoms: Keeping lighting appropriate could reduce the effects of sundowning

Dementia patient readingGETTY Images

Dementia symptoms: Keeping patients distracted could help to reduce the effects of sundowning

Long daytime naps should be discouraged, to help dementia patients sleep better at night. Reducing tiredness could help to ease some of the symptoms of sundowning.

“Introduce an evening routine with activities the person enjoys, such as watching a favourite programme, listening to music, stroking a pet etc.,” Dementia UK said.

“However, try to keep television or radio stations set to something calming and relatively quiet—sudden loud noises or people shouting can be distressing for a person with dementia.”

About one in five dementia patients suffer from sundowning.

Does dementia cause organ failure? Alzheimer’s Research UK explains
Being overweight increases risk of dementia by as much as a THIRD Dementia
Vaquita porpoise usa china mexico endangered rare creature ocean

Vaquita mission: US, China and Mexico shake hands on plan to save most endangered creature

Game of Thrones season 8 spoilers Star Jason Momoa Khal Drogo HBO reveals finale TWISTS

Game of Thrones season 8 spoilers: Star reveals finale TWISTS will 'f**k people up'

Brexit news latest UK election Labour Jeremy Corbyn EU European Union single market video

Labour MP DEMANDS general election to promote PRO-EU agenda on single market

Emmerdale spoilers Laurel Thomas secret affair EXPOSED Emma Barton Charlotte Bellamy

Emmerdale spoilers: Laurel Thomas’ secret affair EXPOSED as Emma Barton plot thickens

brexit ireland border dup arlene foster theresa may eu uk deal

Furious DUP ‘sinks’ Brexit deal: Arlene Foster DESTROYS May's negotiation with phone call

diabetes type 2 symptoms foot blood sugar treatment

Wound in THIS part of the body that just won’t heal? It could be a sign of diabetes

how often should you wash your sheets bacteria cold asthma eczema

How often should you wash your sheets? Forgetting to change bedding could make you ILL

heart age test quiz stroke attack high blood pressure

Heart age quiz: This test will reveal YOUR risk of fatal heart attacks and strokes

cancer symptoms diet sausages pork red meat bratwurst causes risk

Cancer news: Eating sausages does NOT cause symptoms - apart from THIS one type

high blood pressure symptoms tomatoes risk

High blood pressure symptoms: THIS 29p everyday food could raise BP

asthma uk symptoms prevent attack scarf risk

Asthma: Wearing THIS could reduce the risk of DEADLY attacks this winter

Doctors advice eating drinking alcohol smoking 1930s

Eat, drink, smoke and be healthy: Doctors advice from 1930s revealed

thyroid underactive cure reverse diet weight loss

Hypothyroidism symptoms: Woman naturally REVERSED condition by cutting THIS from her diet

lower back pain sleeping position

Back pain: Best sleeping positions to prevent a painful spine

how to live longer exercise years death risk

How to live longer: THIS much exercise could boost life expectancy by YEARS

arthritis symptoms christmas ginger gingerbread joint pain

Arthritis symptoms: THIS festive treat could relieve joint pain for Christmas

high blood pressure what is hypertension reading

High blood pressure: What is the 'silent killer' condition and how YOU can check it

drinking excessive alcohol skin problems 28days

Drinking: Excessive alcohol can cause skin problems for 28 days

how often brush teeth throat cancer risks mouth bacteria

How often should you brush your teeth? Regular brushing guards from CANCER

  • Find us on Facebook
  • Follow us on Twitter
  • Check us on Google+
  • Subscribe to our rss feed