Is Sundowning Real?

ALCB

My grandmother has early stage Alzheimer's. I live a few hours away from her, but whenever I'm on the phone at night she seems much worse. I read an article about sundowning, which apparently is some sort of disorientation thing where after the sun sets, the patient becomes much more confused. Is it real? Can't tell if it's because she's had too much prosecco, or if it's sundowning, or if she's just tired?

towhee

Hi ALCB, welcome to the forum. Yes, sundowning is real, in that is there is often a period in the day when the person with dementia is more confused or more easily emotionally upset. Exactly what causes it though is not clear. Being tired is probably part of the cause, also late afternoon is when many people changed what they were doing or where they were doing it, even though they do not do those things now. For example, going from work to home, or having to fix a meal. Drinking will make a person with dementia more confused, but the main problem is that they do not remember how much they are drinking. It is usually recommended that someone stay with a person with dementia for several days in order to see how they are truly coping. Alcohol plus medications can definitely create problems.

This particular section of the forum does not get much traffic. Please feel free to post on the Caring for a Parent or the I am a Caregiver section.

eaglemom

Yes, sundowning is a very real thing. It can be quite difficult for a caregiver to understand, but to us nothing has really changed. If you add alcohol into the picture of anyone with a dementia it complicates symptoms greatly.

I would encourage you to read as much as you can about dementia so your familiar with what your grandmother is going through. And you'll be able to learn how to redirect her, when that time comes.

eagle