How to Tell if Your Senior Loved One Has Sundowner's Syndrome

When you are caring for an elderly family member, it can be very difficult to determine what behaviors are part of the aging process, and what indicates a more serious problem. If you suspect your loved one may be suffering from Sundowner's Syndrome, watch and make note of concerning behaviors over a period of time and then consult with her doctor on your observations and to get advice on what to do next. Sundowner's Syndrome is when an elderly person, sometimes in the early stages of Alzheimer’s or dementia, has a marked decrease in alertness or increase in agitated or problem behavior in the evening. Some things to watch out for include:

Rapid Mood Changes

A person with this issue may be unusually moody. Personality changes may also be evident in the evenings. There may also be anger for little or no reason. Others may show signs of agitation and restlessness out of nowhere.

Pacing or Rocking

Excessive physical movements may be a sign of Sundowner's Syndrome such as rocking, tapping his foot incessantly or pacing. You may also find your senior loved one is following you from room to room, and seems overly nervous for no reason. Some people experiencing this can become volatile or even violent in some situations, so care must be taken to ensure that she doesn't hurt herself or anyone else at these times.

Stubbornness

It's not uncommon to have late afternoon or evening stubbornness in elderly suffering from this problem. This is not an uncommon trait in seniors in general, but it will be more pronounced and occur at a set time of say in someone with Sundowners.

Fear or Depression

A pronounced or noticeable sense of depression or general fear is often present in those with Sundowner's Syndrome. Your loved one likely won't be able to explain or put her finger on the root of this feeling, she will just feel down or anxious.

To manage symptoms, you may find that having a tight schedule helps your relative feel less out of sorts at this time of day. Keeping the noise level down in the home during the late afternoon and evening hours may also help, as can adding full spectrum lighting to the home so that during waking hours, it's always bright inside. You may also consider making dietary changes for your loved one, if possible. Eliminate food and drinks with large amounts of sugar or caffeine late in the day. Also, speak to the doctor about whether medications or natural supplements are appropriate to make your elderly relative more comfortable, or you can hire a part-time or live in caregiver from home care Phoenix who can help your senior loved one manage a healthy lifestyle.