Sundowning syndrome, when the elderly are sick

If you live with an elderly person who has Alzheimer's disease, you will notice a change in behavior in the late afternoon or early evening. This condition is called sundown syndrome or sundowning syndrome, which means late-night syndrome. Although it cannot be completely stopped, this syndrome is manageable. Check out the following reviews about sundowning syndrome and how to deal with it.

Overview of sundowning syndrome

Reporting from WebMD, one in five people with Alzheimer's or dementia can experience this syndrome, but it can also occur in the elderly who do not have Alzheimer's or dementia. The cause of this syndrome has not been determined, but some scientists believe that this change is influenced by the ability of the brain and the body's biological clock in the elderly who have begun to be disturbed.

Some of the symptoms that appear in this syndrome are mood swings, become restless, irritated, confused, feeling suspicious of something, or you can also scream and hallucinate. The triggers for this condition usually occur when the area around the patient is darker or dimmer, feels tired or frustrated, bored, has sleep disturbances, hunger or thirst, and has difficulty separating dreams from reality (disorientation) and feels dazed.

How do you deal with the elderly with sundowning syndrome?

When this condition occurs, you must remain calm, do not show your anxiety which can worsen the condition. Then, try to calm him down with the following:

Approach the patient and ask what is needed
Remind the patient that it is late and it is better to rest
Reassure the patient that all is well
Stay with the patient, don't leave it alone

If the tips above don't work at all, consult your doctor for the best treatment and advice so that your symptoms don't get worse.

What should be done to treat the elderly with sundowning syndrome?

The symptoms of sundowning syndrome can be very severe but will get better in the morning. However, this condition can disturb other people who have to rest and of course interfere with the quality of sleep for the elderly themselves. Here are some tips for dealing with and overcoming the elderly with sundowning syndrome, such as:

1. Understand the triggers

Every elderly with sundowning has different triggers. For that, start paying attention and supervising his activities precisely when it is late in the afternoon. This way, you can find the triggers and can reduce or limit the exposure of the triggers in the elderly.

2. Organize activities and habits

Try to make a schedule of activities for the patient, so that the routine runs normally and the patient does not feel confused or feel threatened by things that he cannot predict.

If there are changes, then apply them slowly to give the patient time to adapt. Not just activities at home, but letting the elderly have time to simply chat with neighbors or take a walk in the evening may help improve mood and reduce stress.

Then, do not let the patient smoke or drink alcohol which will interfere with his health. If the trigger is due to thirst or hunger, maybe you should check your elderly's diet again, for example providing a small snack in the afternoon and keeping a glass of water in a drawer near his bed.

3. Create a comfortable atmosphere

Since the syndrome occurs when the sun begins to set, you can provide a comfortable atmosphere in the bedroom by closing the curtains and not letting the surrounding area get very dark. Prepare his favorite blanket and put a family photo in his room, so that the patient does not feel alone. Maybe you can read a story, open small talk, or turn on some calming music so the patient can sleep well later.

Even though you have to care for the elderly, you also shouldn't forget about your health

The condition of the elderly with this syndrome may make you have less sleep or rest. However, you have to stay healthy so you can monitor and care for their health. So, it is best to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Eat a balanced healthy diet, exercise regularly, and get enough sleep. You may need help from a partner or someone else to take turns looking after the patient so that you can keep up with your favorite routines and hobbies.