SUNDOWNING AND DEMENTIA
SUNDOWNING WHAT DOES IT MEAN ?
Few of you may have heard the term Sundowning when dementia is mentioned but I suspect many have not. The reason for this is no one’s fault; it’s something that can happen to somebody who has dementia even though nobody is quite sure why it happens. As the day goes on, as the name suggests, the person with dementia becomes gradually more confused, more disorientated and more unaware of their surrounding or recognition of people they may have known for years, this can happen anytime from mid-afternoon onwards. I have to say I myself suffer from this and any work I do around the Purple Angel campaign and the computer is usually wrapped up by 4pm latest if I am lucky. It really is a strange phenomenon and doesn’t happen to all with dementia but it is and can be so debilitating.
It can also be more debilitating for carers and loved ones alike around them because their behavior becomes even more difficult but there are ways around this that may be able to help. Because sundowning mainly happens in the afternoon, when you ring for a Drs Appointment, if you can get one these days that is, please insist that you make it AM and not PM and explain to the Dr or receptionist why. If they won’t accommodate you I would suggest changing practices because small things like this, and small changes can help loved ones and carers so very much. The same applies to dentists or podiatry etc , even when shopping. Please take them with you at their very best time which is usually AM, I know mine is, and then in the afternoon if they are having episodes of sundowning they will be in familiar surroundings at home and not somewhere they might not recognise.
I know this may sound very simple to some and they may well think “Why has nobody told us this before?? Well, my honest answer is I don’t know, maybe its because sometimes they want to bamboozle you with science, big words, plaques, tangles and the likes and fill you full of false hope by saying things like “Red wine can cure dementia” (By the way I WISH !!!) But until the British medical Board comes out and says in a statement, a bit like Boris at the podium, that they have found a cure for dementia, please don’t believe all you hear, false hope is worse than no hope. Here at the Purple Angel we will always try and keep it simple , not to patronise, but to help people understand dementia in Plain English and bit by bit.
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I have been asked many questions in the past about living with my dementia, how I cope, how my long suffering wife Elaine copes and why we do what we do and my answers always the same, which is
What choice do I have ? When first diagnosed all those years ago my family sat me down and said you have two choices? You can either sit there and do nothing? Or get up off your rear and do something about it, the first option to do nothing would have never been an option for me, dementia or not
Do I believe a cure is in the way? YES I DO, 100% and in my life time too, I have too, or I could not do what I do today.
Ironic as it is ……..
"" On the day a cure arrives, then dementia itself will become just a memory,""
"" HOW IRONIC IS THAT ? ""
Former Chief Pilot at UPS
3 年This how we handled sundowning,? https://runningwithcat.com/the-road-to-recovery/ ?
Elder care professional/Dementia consultant
3 年Norman Mc Namara I was very interested in your perspective, especially since you said no one talks about it. I really hate the label 'sundowning,' because as you said, not everyone experiences this and even if they do, it'll be a different reason or set of reasons for differences people. The reason for it is multifaceted. The problem with using the term 'sundowning' is that there are underlying needs that need to be addressed and not just accepted as part of dementia. Sometimes there's fatigue by this time of day -physical or mental, or both. Sometimes pain is added into the mix and the person might be misinterpreting the sensation or unable to express it. These things can increase stress and confusion. Sometimes it's the visual cues of an earlier life phase, when our kids were at school or we were at work, it's the time when we get home, rush about and get ready for dinner/baths/ the next day. When people can't direct themselves, they might feel anxious that the cues are telling them it's time to do something but they don't know what, or can't do that thing. I guess people don't get told about it because you can't predict it and it's not something that comes with a diagnosis.
Clinical Lead Nurse at St Philip's Care
3 年Another gem Norman.? Thank you for writing,? will share and keep these forever.? Very important information ??????
Dementia support and engagement expert, tech and innovation in senior living spaces, experienced CSM, elder care advocate
3 年Thank you Norman. So appreciate this description from you as you have experienced it.