4 Essential Tips to Helping Someone With Sundowning

Sundowning is a type of behavior that happens late at night for people with dementia. Dealing with this condition can cause memory care Palm Springs caretakers lots of stress since it can bring about dark feelings like fear, hostility, confusion, agitation, hallucinations, sadness, and paranoia. Certain worrying behaviors might also occur, such as crying, pacing, rocking, persistent questioning, and possibly even violence.

But when you learn how to deal with sundowning, you will overcome one of the largest hurdles in dealing with a person with dementia. Contrary to what you may think, there is a kind, caring, and respectful way to handle this condition.

4 Tips to Assist With Sundowning

1. Exercise

Exercise is game-changing for everyone, even young and healthy folks. Exercising during the daytime will allow you to get a more restful sleep at night. So, assisting your loved one with going outside for a walk or just any other daytime activities will help them spend their energy before bedtime. Just ensure that you don't schedule their exercise right before they sleep – that's because exercise increases adrenaline in the short term, thus making it harder rather than easier to sleep.

2. Expose to Sunlight

Of course, it's not totally clear what causes sundowning, or even if it has a particular cause. However, experts theorize that it has something to do with a disruption in the natural sleep-wake cycle of patients with dementia. This disruption can create feelings of restlessness or agitation during nighttime. The newest research seems to indicate that sleep and dementia impact each other over time. Therefore, regulating the sleep cycle is key to helping dementia patients get a restful nighttime sleep.

So how can you help them reset their intermetal clock? Simply, you'll want to help expose them to more sunlight. After all, sunlight exposure tells your body that it's time to be awake. On the flip side, it also tells our bodies when to wind down as well. If it's not possible for your loved one to go outside, then having them sit in front of a sunny window can be the next best thing.

3. Provide Calming Distractions

Oftentimes, the best way for memory care Palm Springs caretakers to take their loved one's attention away from distressing distractions is to focus their attention on something else more pleasant. For example, you can offer them a drink or some food that they like, something to read or turn on the television. But really, you can give them any activity that they can do until they get tired.

4. Relax Before Bed

If there are too many stressful activities or no set routine, it will be harder for your loved one with sundowning to relax for the night.

A good nighttime routine is key. It's also helpful to make them comfortable – you can give them water or nighttime medicines and comfy clothes to help with this. Also, get rid of any distractions in their area and ensure that their room is dark enough for resting without being too dark and making them uneasy.

Bayshire Rancho Mirage is a reasonable senior living community in Rancho Mirage, CA. We provide various services like assisted living, independent living, memory care and skilled nursing facility. For more query call us at 760-340-5999.