For someone with Sundowner’s Syndrome, the later hours of the day are usually difficult, to say the least. No one has figured out why this is the case; although there is a lot of speculation in the medical community that this involves the loss of sunlight. But what is observed is that the senior tends to drop into irritable nostalgia or moodiness when the day starts coming to a close.

Dealing with a senior afflicted with Sundowner’s Syndrome can be hard, since they are almost bound to behave irrationally in the evenings. Following are a few tips caregivers can use to benefit here.

• Encourage healthy exercising during the day, so that the senior gets their endorphins going and blood flowing. This will raise the odds of an uneventful evening where they the focus more on the end of the day, than depressing matters in general.
• Turn on the lights in the rooms they will be spending their time in.
• Keep them engaged on something, maybe a task like folding laundry, viewing a picture album, or playing chess. This helps them form and hold new thought patterns.
• Set aside one area of the room to as a quiet place, with light music and bright light.
• Get them to take catnaps during the day, each 20 minutes or shorter. Too long sleeping can confuse their circadian rhythms and keep them awake at night.
• If they pace at night, leave a clear path. Also, join them every once in a while so they can remember they are not alone.
• If you see them start to get frustrated, hold their hand and place yours on their back or knee. A soothing gesture like this goes a long way in alleviating any tension they may be experiencing.
• Get them to take part in evening activities involving positive interactions, and old memories. Watch a movie with them, listen to music, or do a video chat with family living far off.
• Set a comfortable temperature in the house.
• Discuss with a doctor about medications that may help.

The main thing is to get them focused on things, which are outside their own thought process. The easier the evenings are on them, the better it will be for our peace of mind as well. Set up a sensible ensemble of tasks they can stay busy with, and be there to lend a caring hand when they need one.