Dealing With Sundowners’ Syndrome in Alzheimer’s Patients

Sundowners’ Syndrome is a common condition that caregivers have to deal with when caring for patients with Alzheimer’s disease. The name of the syndrome is driven by the fact that it is triggered at dusk when the natural light from outside begins to fade.

The syndrome manifests itself through symptoms like aggression, irritability, and confusion. In other words, Sundowners’ Syndrome gives everyone around the patient with Alzheimer’s a hard time at night. Personal care agents and the patient’s family members as well as the patient can find it challenging to get a good’s night sleep, which means everyone is not in their top form the next day.

As a caregiver, you’d need to arm yourself with information on how you can effectively with Sundowner’s Syndrome. Here are some useful tips:

• Calmly listen to their chatter and try to ascertain the cause of their stress. Sometimes, it is possible to calm the patient down.
• Put them to work with simple tasks like folding towels or wiping the table. Let them watch their favorite TV shows to distract them.
• Close the curtains as the daylight starts to fade. It helps to avoid confusion that triggers the patient’s symptoms.
• Schedule the patient’s tasks so he is kept busy during the day and energy levels go down by evening. You can also try to make them exercise.
• Keep nap times short.

Caring for Alzheimer’s can be very stressful, which is why some care providers will require respite care in Georgia so they can take a break for a day or two.

If you require help, we have experienced caregiving staff we can send to you. Contact Platinum Home Care Service, a specialist in providing home care in Snellville, Georgia.