Make Twice the Impact Right Now
Make Twice the Impact Right Now
Our Autumn 2x Match Challenge is happening right now. Until midnight on Oct. 12, your gift can go twice as far to advance research, promote brain health and help provide care and support for those impacted by Alzheimer’s.
Donate NowAs day turns to night, caregivers of those with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia may notice a troublesome increase in agitation, confusion, restlessness, and behavioral disturbances displayed by their loved one. This collection of symptoms is known as “sundowning.” It can occur at any stage of the disease, but does not affect every person with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia.
A sundowner's changed behavior can feel like a mystery to the caregiver. Why does this happen, and what can be done? Some symptoms and behaviors like anxiety, pacing, and agitation can frustrate caregivers as they try to keep their loved one safe and comfortable. That added caregiver stress can exacerbate an already fraught situation. With this, caregivers and the person living with dementia are at risk for poor symptom resolution, caregiver burnout, and missed insights into the sundowners health and wellness needs.
Understanding the root causes of sundowning and its triggers can provide crucial insight to guide caregivers in practical and purposeful ways. Learn to reframe challenging moments into opportunities for connection, preserving memories and moments to come.