Sundowner's syndrome is a term given to a noticable change in
"behavior" at the time of the day when sundown occurs. People have periods of agitation and confusion during the late afternoon or early evening
hours, and get very irritable with caregivers. We once thought that the syndrome was due to missed
day/night light cues, hence the sudden onset at sundown. Now we think it's due to organic problems e.g. drug interactions
or stress associated with lower cognitive function.
A period of irrational thoughts and irritable
behavior might begin after the last meal of the day and last until
bedtime. Another thought is that the elderly simply can't keep
dealing with the necessary functions for the whole day and they become
overwhelmed by evening. Here's a great website:
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-sundowners-syndrome.htm
I've had some experience with these folks in the hospital and I
can't imagine watching my family go through what you must be
suffering. Good luck. By the way, is she on Aricept--people
tell me it makes a world of difference in some cases.
Edited by judi1 on April 22 2006 at 9:34pm
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