Morley Health Center

Sundown syndrome is a term that describes the appearance of confusion and agitation that commonly affects people with dementia or cognitive impairment and usually occurs at sunset. Many people, however, use the term to describe a vague restlessness and confusion that can occur at any time, but may be more sensitive in the late afternoon or early evening.

Although researchers liken the sunset syndrome of dementia, people without dementia may develop delusional and agitated behavior in the hospital as a reaction to pain, medical procedures, or infection.

What could cause someone to have the syndrome sunset?

Scientists do not know exactly what causes the syndrome sunset. But studies have shown an association between the syndrome of sunset and changes in the internal biological clock in people with dementia. The internal clock - governed by circadian rhythms - control sleep and wakefulness, is connected to how we operate at different times of day, and the influences of changes in the body that governs the behavior. Studies suggest that the change of the biological clock in people with dementia, and this change may make some people more prone to dementia syndrome sunset.

If anyone is likely to sundown syndrome, researchers assume that hunger, a decrease in blood pressure after a meal (which temporarily takes away the oxygen to the brain), or changes in levels of glucose in the blood of eating among people with diabetes can cause agitation and confusion. Other physiological influences such as whether someone is able to see or hear well.
If someone is confused and has vision problems, this can affect how he sees things around him as day shifts in twilight. "We had a classic situation sundowning with a patient with macular degeneration [an eye disease that causes a loss of] the central vision. He was calling the police on several occasions and said that there were thieves in their homes, "says John E. Morley, a professor of geriatrics at Saint Louis University School of Medicine. A visit to the home of the man revealed what was triggering the request." He slats in the blinds of his window, and at sunset, the sun came and created snowmen he thought they were robbers coming into his house, he said.

What can I do to reduce agitation associated with sundown syndrome?

To make someone more comfortable, try to find out what triggers his agitation and confusion. To help calm the man down on thieves who thought his house, for example, Morley and colleagues have developed a simple solution that helped the man in distress understand that the thieves were an illusion. "We've learned to take him his stick and drive the stick figures," said Morley. With a wave of his cane, the man realized that the shadows were snowmen on the wall, and its symptoms sunset and appeals urgent police arrested him.

The researchers also found that putting a full spectrum fluorescent lamp (between 2,500 and 5,000 lux) at 1 meter from the person who suffers from the syndrome sunset in the visual field for a couple of hours in the morning can do wonders to get his body clock back on track and make it less agitated at sunset. Try turning it so that the person you are concerned about is watching television or engaged in other daily activity.

Another good tool to facilitate the sunset syndrome is to help the person relax. If he is agitated because he was hungry, for example, try serving foods earlier or offer him a snack or drink until dinner is ready. If there is a lot of noise in the house, try to take in a quiet room. If he likes music, take a CD and some of her favorite songs at your fingertips. If it is not a fan of music, a recording of ocean waves or a mountain stream could calm him. If it is to discuss with you or make unrealistic demands, try to let him know that you are.