Really people? Enough of the code talking. What the heck is Gordon Lightfoot Disease?
Sorry.
Sundowning, also known as sundown syndrome, is a group of symptoms that can occur in people with dementia or delirium in the late afternoon or early evening and can continue into the night. It’s most common in people with Alzheimer’s disease, but can also occur in other types of dementia.
Symptoms include:
Confusion, Restlessness, Irritability, Pacing, Wandering, Yelling, Hallucinations or delusions, Anxiety, and Disorientation.
Sundowning can make it difficult for people to fall asleep and stay in bed, which can lead to sleep deprivation. The exact cause of sundowning is unknown, but possible causes include:
Alzheimer’s-related brain changes
Being overly tired
Unmet needs such as hunger or thirst
Disease progression
Mental and physical exhaustion
Navigating a new or confusing environment
A mixed-up internal body clock
Side effects of some prescription and over-the-counter medications
Here are some tips for coping with sundowning:
Reduce stimulation
Avoid excessive auditory or visual stimulation in the evening, such as loud noises, clattering dishes, or loud conversations. Instead, try playing familiar, gentle music or relaxing nature sounds.
Create a calm environment
Bring familiar items, such as family photographs, to help create a more relaxed and reassuring environment. You can also try dimming the lights with night lights.
Stay close by
If the person needs to get up and move around, don’t try to hold them back, but stay close by to keep an eye on them.
Try calming activities
Try changing the subject and talking about something else, or doing a calming activity like folding laundry together.
Seek medical advice
If sundowning continues to be a problem, you should seek medical advice.
Gordon Lightfoot Disease (should have been Gordon Lightfoot Syndrome) is a joke:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kv8zyBi4ZXk