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Sundowning: Late-day confusion
By Mayo Clinic staffOriginal Article: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/sundowning/HQ01463
- With Mayo Clinic clinical neuropsychologist
Glenn Smith, Ph.D.
read biographyclose windowBiography of
Glenn Smith, Ph.D.
Glenn Smith, Ph.D.
Dr. Glenn Smith is a board-certified clinical neuropsychologist who specializes in Alzheimer's disease.
Dr. Smith, a Lincoln, Neb., native, has been with Mayo Clinic since 1990 and works with neurologists, psychiatrists, internists, social workers and nurses involved in diagnosing and providing care for people with dementia and their families.
"For Alzheimer's disease, there is currently no cure," he says. "The best "medicine" for patient and family remains education and support. Hopefully, Mayo Clinic's Alzheimer's disease Web resources contribute to compassionate care and understanding for Alzheimer's families."
Dr. Smith is a professor of psychology at College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, a division co-chair in the Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, and principal investigator of the Mayo Alzheimer's Disease Research Center Education and Information Transfer Core. He is past president of the American Board of Clinical Neuropsychology and the Clinical Neuropsychology Division of the American Psychological Association.
Risk factors (2)
- Oophorectomy (ovary removal): A risk factor for dementia?
- Alzheimer's: Can a head injury increase my risk?
Symptoms (1)
- Sundowning: Late-day confusion
Tests and diagnosis (2)
- Rapidly progressing Alzheimer's: Something else?
- Alzheimer's test: Detection at the earliest stages
Complications (1)
- Phantosmia: What causes olfactory hallucinations?
Treatments and drugs (3)
- Folic acid supplements: Can they slow cognitive decline?
- Vitamin B-12: Can it improve memory in Alzheimer's?
- Alzheimer's nose spray: New Alzheimer's treatment?
Lifestyle and home remedies (2)
- Alzheimer's: Can a Mediterranean diet lower my risk?
- Music and Alzheimer's: Can it help?
Alternative medicine (5)
- Phosphatidylserine supplements: Can they improve memory?
- Vitamin B-12: Can it improve memory in Alzheimer's?
- Axona: Medical food to treat Alzheimer's
- see all in Alternative medicine
Coping and support (1)
- Elder care for Alzheimer's: Choosing a provider
Prevention (3)
- Alzheimer's disease: Can exercise prevent memory loss?
- Alzheimer's prevention: Does it exist?
- Benefits of being bilingual: Delay Alzheimer's?
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Question
Sundowning: Late-day confusion
I've heard that sundowning may happen with dementia. What is sundowning and how is it treated?
Answer
from Glenn Smith, Ph.D.
The term "sundowning" refers to a state of confusion at the end of the day and into the night. Sundowning isn't a disease, but a symptom that often occurs in people with dementia, such as Alzheimer's disease. The cause isn't known.
Factors that may aggravate late-day confusion include:
- Fatigue
- Low lighting
- Increased shadows
- Disruption of the body's "internal clock"
Tips for reducing this type of disorientation in your loved one
- Plan for activities and exposure to light during the day to encourage nighttime sleepiness.
- Limit caffeine and sugar to morning hours.
- Serve dinner early and offer a light snack before bedtime.
- Keep a night light on to reduce agitation that occurs when surroundings are dark or unfamiliar.
- In a strange or unfamiliar setting such as a hospital, bring familiar items such as photographs or a radio from home.
Research suggests that a low dose of melatonin — a naturally occurring hormone that induces sleepiness — in combination with exposure to bright light during the day may help minimize the disorientation associated with sundowning.
When sundowning occurs in a care facility, it may be related to the flurry of activity during staff shift changes. Staff arriving and leaving may cue some people with Alzheimer's to want to go home or to check on their children — or other behaviors that were appropriate in the late afternoon in their past. It may help to occupy their time during that period.
Next questionRapidly progressing Alzheimer's: Something else?
- Sleeplessness and sundowning. Alzheimer's Association. http://www.alz.org/living_with_alzheimers_sleeplessness_and_sundowning.asp. Accessed Feb 25, 2011.
- Francis J. Diagnosis of delirium and confusional states. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Feb. 25, 2011.
- Sharer J. Tackling sundowning in a patient with Alzheimer's diasease. Medsurg Nursing: The Journal of Adult Health. 2008;17:27.
- Glenn Smith (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Feb. 25 2011.
- Riemersma-van der Lek RF, et al. Effect of bright light and melatonin on cognitive and noncognitive function in elderly residents of group care facilities. Journal of the American Medical Association. 2008;299:2642.
- de Jonghe A, et al. Effectiveness of melatonin treatment on circadian rhythm disturbances in dementia. Are there implications for delirium? A systematic review. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry. 2010;25:1201.
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