If your loved one with Alzheimer’s disease seems to get more agitated and negative towards the end of the day, this is often referred to as ‘sundowning.’ It was once thought that sundowning is caused by the loss of light at the end of a shorter winter day. However, recent research indicates that one of the biggest factors in sundowning appears to be being tired. Your loved one may not be capable of understanding anymore that she needs to get more rest. She may not be able to connect her irritable condition with lack of sleep. But this is something you need to do for her.

Keep these ideas in mind:

  • It is important for your loved one to have a good night’s sleep. This is of course easier said than done. One of the things that can help to alleviate sundowning is to get your loved one to take a nap in the late afternoon, when the agitated behavior tends to occur. You can purchase many helpful Alzheimers supplies and aids to make bed safety and positioning easier.  For example, the Rest Mate Bed Wedge is great to give your loved one more upper body support. This makes either back or side positioning easier. Or, consider the Body Aligner Pillow, which helps her to keep in a good sleeping position, while lowering pressure on sensitive body areas.
  • Make your daily outings with her earlier in the day. Usually someone with Alzheimer’s is better at tolerating trips and outings in the morning and early afternoon. When you are planning to go shopping with your loved one, make the trip during the morning. It is important for her to have less stimulus and more quiet time later in the day closer to bedtime.
  • Cut down the amount of stimulus. Even in the morning, a person in advanced stages of Alzheimer’s only can take so much stimulus. You should try to make sure she is not getting too much stimulus, such as TV, kids or anything that makes too much noise.
  • Determine if she has any physical discomforts. This can be a big reason for sundowning – she is in pain but can’t explain it. Or, she might be in some type of discomfort that she can’t verbalize, such as being hungry, soiled or hot or cold. Light snacks during the day can help your loved one to get more energy.
  • Be aware of triggers to sundowning. There may be a cause in the home that causes your loved one to get more agitated later in the day. For example, a loud video game may cause your loved one to get upset, even if it is in the other room. Make sure that children have a separate area to play that is not going to cause a disturbance for your patient.
  • Consider giving your loved one a ‘time out’ just like you do with a child. Send her to a quiet room to calm down and to get some rest when she is upset.