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My 84-year-old mother is having symptoms of Sundowners Syndrome in the morning, but not at night. Is this possible?

Asked by nmikulai | Mar 16, 2010

Answers 1 to 3 of 3

Carol Bradley Bursack, Mar 18, 2010

Over the span of two decades author, columnist and speaker Carol Bradley Bursack cared for a neighbor and six elderly family members. Because of this experience, Bradley Bursack created a portable support group, the book “Minding Our Elders: Caregivers Share Their Personal Stories.” Her sites, www.mindingourelders.com and www.mindingoureldersblogs

There are no two people alike. I'd talk with her doctor. The timing could have something to do with her medications or when she takes them.
Carol

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mhmarfil

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Mar 19, 2010

hi there! i can relate to your situation. My mom too was into this sundowning syndrome around january-february 2010. But now she's sleeping well and boy it is a relieve for me! I am glad that she somehow follows my own circadian rhythm so now I get to sleep well at night too with one or two interruptions only.... u think this is nice already ? lol... when she was into sundowning, she bothers me 3-5x each night it was terrible it affects my alertness during daytime and my office performance suffers. I just wanna tell you it will all come to pass. Maybe it's because it's starting to be summer time in my country so my mom's bio clock is adjusting in sync with mine. Don't worry, your mom's case will normalize in a few weeks or months but as I know with elderly, it will also return again. Meantime. enjoy, smile for yourself even if you force it on your face hahaha... and relax even for few hours. We caregivers deserve to pamper ourselves even with the silliest simplest pleasure this world can offer for free... Happy weekend dear.

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cindybrownlbsw

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Mar 20, 2010

Oooohhh Yeah! I think that the reason "sundowning" is thought to be only at night is because most people indeed sundown about this time. But I believe that "sundowning" occurs at the time of day when a demented individual is accustomed (or wired for) to something of importance happening. It is usually about sundown when most traditional families sat down to dinner, the kids were home from school, hubby was home from work, it was family time. This was a pattern that was repeated for many years in their earlier lives (both as children and as adults) therefore is a deeply ingrained, "over learned pattern". It is my opinion that something of great importance to your mom happened in the morning that she continues to subconsciously anticipate. Can you identify something that will occupy her during the time she is sundowning? In my experience sundowning is best addressed not by medication but by activity during those hours when the sundowning occurs depending on her level of ability. For some of my clients a car ride works, cooking or other complex task (with which they have assistance of course), a nap that begins 1/2 hour before the typical agitation begins (not such a great idea in the morning though!) or visits with/from others during that time. One other question I would ask is how is your mother sleeping? A sleep disturbance could also contribute to morning sundowning!

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