Sundowners? What is it? How can we help our LO in Memory Care?

My mom had Alzheimer's and her sundowning was very difficult to deal with. Her level of confusion and agitation increased significantly. She did not know who her family was and often wanted everyone to leave the home. I and her hubby lived with her. She wanted that unknown man to leave, often. She wondered where her children were, often thinking they were in danger or kidnapped. Wanted to call her long deceased parents or go home because mom would be worried about her.

It ran the gamut of delusions that did no good to try to explain to her. She would call a person a liar or about her deceased parents start crying as if it was the first time she heard it. Then angry because no one had told her they passed.

Mom was prescribed Seroquel which helped her tremendously, anxiety decreased, but of course did not alleviate the symptoms completely.

It required all the patience I could muster and refrain from trying to explain to her or correct her. The best option was to always go along with whatever delusion she was experiencing. And use of therapeutic white lies. The daughters were spending the night with friends, her parents were n vacation we will call them tomorrow, etc.

Its called Sundowners because that seems to be when people suffering from a Dementia get confused and signs of the Dementia or more prevalent. In the early stages people who suffer from a Dementia seem to be able to hide the symptoms but late afternoon about Sundown, they are no longer able to. Could be they are tired. Thats also the time our blood sugars drop. There are meds that may help but nothing u can do. My daughter swears that the full moon has effect on those suffering from Dementia.