How To Treat Sundowning In Dementia

You must always use inside tonal voices talking soothingly and slowly. Avoid things that seem to make sundowning worse.

Dementia Sundowning By Jessica E Jessica D Overview This Presentation Will Cover Topics Regarding Sundowning In Dementia 1 Introduction 2 Sundowning Ppt Download

89-91 De Jonghe et al.

How to treat sundowning in dementia. Do not serve coffee cola or other drinks with caffeine late in the day. As the day wears on the person with dementia becomes more tired and therefore is more likely to feel confused and agitated. This can cause people with dementia to have disruptions in their sleep patterns.

As sundowning is behavioral cues in the home and environment that can stimulate a regular sleep-wake cycle are most likely to help. Benzodiazepines are primarily prescribed to treat anxiety and are not approved as sleeping pills but they are often used that way. Tips for managing sundowning as it happens Use distraction techniques.

90 Several recent studies which reflect use of melatonin specifically in patients with dementia demonstrated that melatonin reduces sundowning behavior nocturnal activity decreases sleep latency and improves quality of sleep. Listen carefully to the response and if possible see if you can deal with the source of their distress. Do not serve alcoholic drinks.

Go into a different room make a drink have a snack turn some music on or go out for a walk Ask the person what is the matter. Having lights on keeping the home well-lit helps the person stay oriented. Sundowning tips for carers Try to support the person to do things they find relaxing and enjoyable at this time of day.

Although the exact cause is unknown these changes result from the diseases impact on the brain. Treatment options for symptoms of Sundown Syndrome range from behavioral interventions to antipsychotic medications. Get daytime rest if needed but keep naps short and not too late in the day.

Get enough rest at night. Another 6 open-label or retrospective case studies showed a trend toward decreased sundowning and improved sleep quality. Nonpharmacologic treatments include behavioral or cognitive therapy which may help manage yelling aggressive behavior and wandering without the detrimental side effects of psychotropic medicationsSometimes in addition to cognitive therapy programs bright light therapy is offered to patients as it has been shown to.

Keep the person active in the morning and encourage a rest after lunch. In other words they can worsen the syndrome. The way you talk to a person who is going through sundowning episodes must be addressed when tackling the issue on sundowning and dementia.

People living with Alzheimers and other dementia may have problems sleeping or experience increased confusion anxiety agitation pacing and disorientation beginning at dusk and continuing throughout the night referred to as sundowning. The danger of using this type of drug to treat sundowning is that it often makes older patients more excited and agitated instead of calm. Familiar activities in the evening - Early evening activities that are familiar from an earlier time in the persons life may be helpful.

According to data from current medical literature the following interventions have been tried and found to be somewhat effective for the treatment of sundowning in demented patients. Treatment with ramelteon was initiated as an adjunct to the regular quetiapine to stimulate regular circadian. It is likely that sundowning occurs due to a disruption in the circadian rhythm of people with dementia ie.

Sundowning is a behavioral phenomenon associated with dementia. Natural light for example is the most important cue. Listen carefully to the response of the person you are caring for to see if you can arrest the source of distress.

The authors attributed this behavior to sundowning. Get physical activity or exercise each day. How is Sundowning treated in dementia.

Think about whats happened during the day. Weve compiled experienced caregivers best suggestions for using medications to help minimize the anxiety hallucinations and aggressive behaviors caused by sundowning. Bright light therapy melatonin acetylcholinesterase inhibitors antipsychotic medications and environmental interventionbehavioral.

Medications for Sundown Syndrome. Early afternoon rest - If fatigue is making the sundowning worse an early afternoon rest might help. 47 performed a systematic search of the literature related to melatonin treatment in dementia.

Pdf Sundowning In Dementia Clinical Relevance Pathophysiological Determinants And Therapeutic Approaches