The phenomenon shouldn’t be properly understood, however could also be related to an individual’s unfulfilled wants at that second.
‘Sundowning’ shouldn’t be very properly understood (inventory picture) (Picture: DBenitostock through Getty Photographs)
A psychologist has explored an often-missed indicator of dementia and exactly how sufferers can handle it. The signal tends to be particularly outstanding within the afternoon and will initially show difficult for relations to know.
Dr Kellyn Lee, CEO of The Dementia Care Hub and Visiting Educational on the College of Portsmouth, outlined in a TikTok video throughout 2025: “So, this will occur at any time of day, however what we see so much with individuals dwelling with dementia is that it will probably occur within the afternoon.”
She then added: “So, what I might be is this may be, once more, a symptom of hysteria and agitation and perhaps elevated confusion.” Dr Lee is describing a situation referred to as ‘sundowning’, which characterises more and more erratic behaviour in dementia victims from noon onwards into the night.
Throughout these hours, an individual might develop notably distressed whereas probably struggling delusions or hallucinations too. While the exact triggers stay unclear, the Alzheimer’s Society suggests it is not essentially linked to sundown itself.
Somewhat, sundowning is often related to unfulfilled necessities at that exact time. These might embody the next:
Replying to @Lisa 13 #sundowning #dementia
unique sound – Dr Kellyn Lee CPsychol, PhD
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“Sundowning can occur at any stage of dementia however is extra widespread through the center stage and later levels,” additional recommendation from Alzheimer’s Society provides. It then continues: “Assume whether or not one thing that’s occurred through the day has affected them. If they appear agitated, attempt to calm them by distracting them, maybe speaking a couple of favorite reminiscence or occasion they take pleasure in eager about.”
In case you are involved that your beloved is experiencing sundowning, Dr Lee additionally suggested noting the signs at totally different occasions of day. In her rationalization, she continued: “So, what I might be doing is noting down when that is taking place and what’s taking place. There are tablets that can be utilized, equivalent to lorazepam.
“Completely these medication are medication that must be taken with warning as a result of they’re extremely addictive. So, some GPs might not need to prescribe them.
“Nevertheless, I feel we actually must stability the chance of habit in comparison with the actual fact the individual has dementia.”
Different potential indicators of dementia
Dementia is an umbrella time period protecting quite a few well being points, together with Alzheimer’s illness, all characterised by a gradual deterioration in cognitive perform. NHS figures reveal that greater than 944,000 individuals throughout the UK are presently dwelling with dementia.
Indicators of dementia differ in response to the precise sort, however early indicators ceaselessly embody:
- Temper adjustments
- Issue concentrating
- Discovering it laborious to hold out acquainted day by day duties, equivalent to getting confused over the proper change when purchasing
- Reminiscence loss
- Struggling to observe a dialog or discover the best phrase
- Being confused about time and place
NHS steering provides: “These signs are sometimes gentle and will worsen solely very steadily. It is usually termed ‘gentle cognitive impairment’ (MCI) because the signs should not extreme sufficient to be identified as dementia.
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“You won’t discover these signs when you have them, and household and buddies might not discover or take them significantly for a while. In some individuals, these signs will stay the identical and never worsen. However some individuals with MCI will go on to develop dementia.
“Dementia shouldn’t be a pure a part of ageing. For this reason it is necessary to speak to a GP sooner relatively than later when you’re anxious about reminiscence issues or different signs.”
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