Wondering Why Your Care Recipient’s Behavior Changes Midday to Evening?
Let’s Talk About Sundowning

Happy March to all the great caregivers. We are off to a productive start to 2022 and spring will soon be here. While adjusting to the change in seasons, you may also notice a change in the behavior of your care recipient. Have you noticed signs of frustration or anxiety in your care recipient? What about restlessness, confusion, or agitation? If the answer is yes, then they could be experiencing sundowning. The National Institute on Aging describes sundowning as a person living with Alzheimer’s or related dementia displaying the abovementioned behaviors just as the sun starts to fade into the evening hours of the day.

Causes of Sundowning    
Sundowning does not have an exact reason why people experience the symptoms. A reasonable assumption is because the brain changes in people living with Alzheimer’s Disease. These changes cause the biological clock to be affected and will disrupt the sleep-wake cycle.  Caregivers: be observant. Hunger, thirst, and recent changes in medication that may cause side effects can all be contributing factors of sundowning.

Coping with Sundowning    
The caregiver should remain calm and listen to the needs of the person at that time. Try to set the tone as the day progresses and close curtains and add soft music to start slowing the person down and moving into the next phase of the day. Closing the curtains will eliminate any confusion shadows may cause. The last coping strategy is to remember structure is important. If you have a structured day that incorporates activities daily, this will help the care recipient to focus and decrease sundowning.

Preventing Sundowning
Light will reset the biological clock so if a person living with a behavior altering disease is fidgety or restless, it would be beneficial to sit by a window or go outside. Make sure the day is structured and the person is getting enough sleep. Have sleep incorporated into the schedule. Lastly, be mindful of the food and drink consumed by the person living with dementia. Serving drinks with caffeine late in the day and alcoholic beverages all cause anxiety and confusion. 

This month's article was written by Kimuria Snipes, one of two social work practicum students working with OCDoA's Aging Transitions team this academic year.  Kim is a first year student with NCCU's MSW program. 

Brief Counseling Services

Our team of social workers are available to work with older adults and caregivers for brief counseling services, free of charge. We can work with you on issues including anxiety, depression, caregiver stress and loneliness.

Contact the Aging Helpline for more information: (919) 968-2087.

Dementia Friendly Orange County 

 
We would like to thank the following businesses and organizations for taking the time to offer our training to their staff and volunteers:

• Margaret Lane Gallery in Hillsborough (renewing partner!)
• Residential Properties Management, Inc.
• Meals on Wheels Orange County, NC

Dementia Friendly organizations aim to be aware and accommodating of the needs of patrons with dementia or other special needs. We are pleased to offer virtual trainings designed to meet the needs of our local community.

In Need of Incontinence Supplies?

Thanks to generous donations, the Department on Aging has a supply of incontinence supplies including: bed pads, pull up briefs, adult diapers, wipes, and adult booster pads. If you are in need of any of these items, we may be able to provide you with up to one pack per month (depending on availability of the items requested). Contact the Aging Helpline (919-968-2087 or Agingtransitions@Orangecountync.gov) to request supplies.