Sundowning: Late-day confusion

Mayo Clinic ^ | Unknown | Jonathan Graff-Radford, M.D.

[Eli Kopter]

I've heard that sundowning may happen with dementia. What is sundowning and how is it treated? Answer From Jonathan Graff-Radford, M.D. The term "sundowning" refers to a state of confusion that occurs in the late afternoon and lasts into the night. Sundowning can cause various behaviors, such as confusion, anxiety, aggression or ignoring directions. Sundowning also can lead to pacing or wandering.

Sundowning isn't a disease. It's a group of symptoms that occurs at a specific time of the day. These symptoms may affect people with Alzheimer's disease and other types of dementia. The exact cause of sundowning is not known.

Factors that may worsen late-day confusion Fatigue. Spending a day in a place that's not familiar. Low lighting. Increased shadows. Disruption of the body's "internal clock." Trouble separating reality from dreams. Being hungry or thirsty. Presence of an infection, such as a urinary tract infection. Being bored or in pain. Depression.

[jmacusa]

God bless your Dad. I lost my mother to dementia years ago.

At the end of her days it was heart breaking to see that she didn’t know who any of us were.

I’ve worked in a number of nursing homes and it’s sad to see this but one has to be patient and pray.

As for Biden, I hope he has a stroke and suffers painfully and for a long time.

He deserves it. He deserves it for the lives he’s ruined and the destruction he’s done to this nation.

[Gaffer]

IMO, the time of day doesn’t matter wrt to senile Biden and his cognizance. I call it Debatedowning.......he can’t function like a President should at ANY time of the day/night.

[Eli Kopter]

Great point. “Is this who you want to take that 3 am phone call?”