When your parent is diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, you may have numerous concerns about how the disease will affect them right now and in the future. Sundowning is one of the things your parent may do that affects how they think, feel and react to their surroundings, you, and the memory care specialists taking care of them. Sundowning produces a number of symptoms, such as sleepiness, pacing, confusion, and agitation. The symptoms usually occur right after dinner or sometime before bedtime. Here's a definition of sundowning and tips on how to handle it effectively.

Defining Sundowning and Its Effects on Your Parent

One of the most profound changes in people who have Alzheimer's disease is sundowning, when symptoms such as memory loss, confusion, noncooperation, and aggression are heightened. Depending on the stage of your parent's Alzheimer's disease, the symptoms of sundowning can be very intense for your loved one.

WebMD reports that patients who are in the middle stages of Alzheimer's disease experience more intense episodes of sundowning than people in the end stages of the disease. For instance, your parent may forget where they are and travel back in time every night instead of at different times of the day.

Keep in mind that although forgetfulness is a symptom of Alzheimer's disease, it increases in intensity when your loved one sundowns. Your parent may take longer to remember where they are when they do.

Memory care nurses at facilities like Alta Ridge Communities understand how confusing it is for you and your parent. The nurses will take steps to reduce the effects of sundowning on your loved one.

Dealing With Sundowning

Keeping your loved one safe is critical during episodes of sundowning. If your parent experiences too much confusion and other symptoms of sundowning, they can physically injure themselves and others around them. 

The nursing staff will often play soothing music or entertaining movies right before or after dinner. If the memory care unit has a calm environment, the less likely your parent will become agitated or frustrated.

Your parent's doctor may prescribe medications, such as melatonin, to help calm down your parent in the evening. Melatonin is a natural substance found in the body that encourages calmness, relaxation and sleep. Many sources think that a reduction in melatonin in the body has an effect on the moods of Alzheimer's disease clients. 

If you visit your loved one during the evening, you can do a few things to keep the atmosphere calm. For example, don't try to correct your parent when their memory regresses during sundowning. They can become agitated when you do. Give your parent time to return to the present on their own.

Don't try to force your parent to eat, lie down for a nap, or go somewhere they don't want to go. Your parent will feel threatened by you and refuse to do anything you ask. Instead, let your loved one eat or rest when they're ready.

If you want to learn more about Alzheimer's disease and sundowning, contact your parent's memory care specialists for more information.