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Sundowing, Agitation, and Other Definitions

Sundowning: This term refers to confusion occurring in the late afternoon and into the evening. It is a group of symptoms that affect people with dementia and Alzheimer’s. While the cause isn’t known, sundowning can cause behaviors like confusion, anxiety, aggression, ignoring directions, pacing or wandering.

Agitation: A person with dementia or Alzheimer’s may feel irritable or agitated. Common signs are fidgeting, tapping their fingers, moving things around, fixating on tasks such as cleaning, wandering, and other repetitive movements. This behavior indicates that a person is restless or worried. It may be a symptom of changes in the brain caused by dementia.

Bathing: Refusing to bathe is very common in people with dementia. As dementia progresses, the act of bathing may become intimidating or scary. Patients may also feel their dignity and sense of modesty are being attacked.

Communication: As dementia or Alzheimer’s progress, it may become more difficult to understand the needs and feelings of the person you care for.

The way you and your loved one communicate will likely change over time because your loved one will encounter challenges with basic communication skills. This can be extremely upsetting to patients and caregivers alike.

It might be hard for your loved one to find the right words, they may repeat things or mix up words altogether. Often, sight or hearing problems make communication even more difficult. This can damage confidence, cause anxiety and depression, and cause your loved one to withdraw.

Exercise: Physical activity can help keep aging bodies healthy and strong. Talking walks and shorter workouts of 10 minutes or less may help you keep your loved one in good physical condition.

Hallucinations: Seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting, or feeling something that isn’t there is considered a hallucination in loved ones suffering from dementia or Alzheimer’s. Hallucinations can be scary, while others can be more ordinary and involve people and situations from the past. These false perceptions usually appear in late stages of disease, and are caused by changes in the brain.

Rummaging: A loved one with dementia or Alzheimer’s may start rummaging through cabinets and drawers or even hiding things around the home. There can be a logical reason for this, although your loved one may not be able to communicate what it is. Sometimes, hunger or boredom can be the cause. Rummaging behavior can be frustrating for caregivers and, depending on the items, can pose safety risks.

Wandering: Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia can damage a loved one’s ability to recognize what is familiar. It can happen at any stage of disease, and everyone living with dementia or Alzheimer’s is a wandering risk.

We’re ready to share our expertise, so contact us today. We’ll be happy to help you out.