Sundowners

The evening hours, combined with the darker and shorter days of December, really can intensify dementia symptoms.

Be sure your home is well-lit during the day. However, I have learned to expect and accept my dear wife's behavior changes during this time of year. It still comes as a bit of a shock starting in late November.

Sundowning manifests as a noticeable worsening of symptoms. This, along with the progression of the disease itself, results in unpredictable behavior.

Remember that your loved one's brain is no longer functioning correctly, and anything they say or do is most likely impacted.

Love Bill_2001

My DH is in MC now but last winter he would become more anxious and confused at around 4:00 each afternoon. He would almost start asking about his parents and if they were still alive. He would also start messing up the television by pressing all the buttons on the remote. It was frustrating but he couldn't help it.

My DH made similar comments to me when he was in late stage 5. He one time told me that I was a really good person and he cared about me, but he didn’t think we needed to get married (we have been married 40 years). I just said, I agree. We are fine just the way things are. Made me laugh. I believe it’s just progression of the disease.