The short answer is dementia causes an upset to your loved one’s internal body clock, causing a biological mix-up between day and night. This causes further confusion and agitation for your loved one with dementia, as they may not understand why it’s dark outside when they believe it is the middle of the afternoon. This phenomenon, known as sundowning, can be just as distressing and challenging for caregivers if they are not equipped to navigate this issue. In this article, our memory care team in Morris County takes a closer look at why dementia worsens at night and what caregivers can do to help.
While the exact causes of sundowning are not fully understood, researchers believe that a combination of factors contribute to it. One consideration is the disruption of the body’s circadian rhythm. Our bodies have a natural clock that regulates our sleep-wake cycle, and this rhythm can be disrupted in individuals with a memory loss condition. As a result, they may experience increased confusion and agitation during the evening and nighttime hours. Another element is a decrease in the levels of natural light. Exposure to natural light during the day is essential for synchronizing the body’s circadian rhythm and promoting a healthy sleep-wake cycle. However, seniors with dementia may typically spend more time indoors and have limited exposure to natural light. This lack of exposure can disrupt their body clock, leading to increased confusion and restlessness at night. Fatigue and exhaustion can also play a significant role in sundowning. Older adults with dementia may experience fatigue more during the day due to disrupted sleep patterns or the demands of daily activities. This daytime fatigue ultimately can lead to increased confusion and restlessness in the evening and at night. Fortunately, there are ways that memory caregivers can help seniors with dementia who experience sundowning. Here are some strategies that may be effective:
Memory care in our senior community in Morris County Lester Senior Living has a designated unit to care and treat those with Alzheimer’s and dementia diagnoses. Our professional staff on-site are available at all hours of the day to assist memory care residents and provide many opportunities to engage in memory-stimulating activities. Our facility also offers dementia-friendly floor plans, wander management systems and 24-hour supervision by professional caregivers in all the common areas. To find out more about our specialized memory care suite in Morris County, and how we can help minimize sundowning in your loved one with dementia, please visit our website at: https://jchcorp.org Original Source: https://jchcorp.org/why-does-dementia-worsen-at-night/
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AuthorWe offer seniors a range of options in terms of housing, services, amenities, location and cost, all within the Jewish tradition: independent living, assisted living, memory care, respite, affordable housing, enriching programs, and on-site services for our residents, many of whom have special needs. Archives
May 2023
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