Challenging Behaviours: Sundown Syndrome 1

Challenging Behaviours: Sundown Syndrome 1

Challenging behaviours for people living with dementia:
Sundown Syndrome
By Welma Geldenhuys

If you care for someone with Alzheimer’s or any Dementia, you notice certain behaviours/feelings from your loved one around sunset.

This phenomenon is called sundown syndrome or sundowning.

What is sundowning – this is the name for a group of behaviours, feelings, and thoughts people with Alzheimer’s can experience as the sun sets. The behaviours get worse as the sunset or sundown. Delirium can potentially occur at any time or just at sunset.

Sundowning can also be known as late-day confusion.

Around 20% of people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease experience sundowning at some point.

Symptoms.

  • Anxiety
  • Pacing
  • Paranoia
  • Hallucinations
  • Confusion
  • Insomnia
  • Wandering
  • Crying
  • Violence
  • Yelling
  • Shadowing – when the individual follows their caregiver very closely

Emotions = people who experience sundowning syndrome can feel many emotions. This includes:

  • Sadness
  • Fear
  • Anxiety
  • Agitation
  • Restlessness
  • Irritability

In the next post, we will discuss.

  • How long does sundowning last?
  • Treatment-
  • Medications used for sundowning syndrome
  • How to prevent sundowning

Contact ADASA Gauteng for support or any inquiries

HELPLINE 086 010 2681
082 8214 862 Social Worker
Email: welma.geldenhuys@adasa.org.za