Download
1 / 6
60 likes | 74 Views
Sundowning is an indication of several behaviors. They can occur during dementia. This disorder relates to the shift between nighttime and daylight. The impact of the same can result in a change in behavior in a dementia patient. Prabhi Sodhi, a dementia specialist, suggests that it is important to understand this change. It can trigger certain actions.
E N D
How does Behavior Change during Sundowning in Dementia? – Praby Sodhi
Sundowning is an indication of several behaviors. They can occur during dementia. This disorder relates to the shift between nighttime and daylight. The impact of the same can result in a change in behavior in a dementia patient. Prabhi Sodhi, a dementia specialist, suggests that it is important to understand this change. It can trigger certain actions. They can make the patient act violently, become anxious, and even undergo agitation. Mr. Sodhi further explains that sundowning can result in some mental conditions. Managing dementia is a challenge when such results come to the surface. But a prior understanding of this syndrome can help in simplifying the same.
What Changes Behavior during Sundowning? • Behavioral changes can occur mainly during sundowning at 2 points. These include sundown and sunset. At either of these points, the behavior of a patient with dementia can begin to change. Or, it may already be changed but can become worse. • Mr. Sodhi says that it is important to know that behavioral modifications can occur at other points too. There may not necessarily be a specific time. However, the two specified points can influence these modifications. • Which Sundowning Behavioral Changes Occur in Dementia Patients? • The sundowning syndrome can result in different behaviors. Certain changes can occur during the day time. Others can occur at the time of sunset. According to Prabhi Sodhi, even in between the duration, caregivers may observe their presence or influence.
What are the Effects of Sundowning that Affect Behavior? • Indeed, sundowning affects behavior of dementia patients. But the same can be triggered by certain effects. Mr. Sodhi observes that memory loss and dementia share a relationship. When sundowning further contributes to memory issues, it can affect a person’s behavior. • The dementia specialist, Mr. Sodhi’s observation additionally unfolds that sundowning can influence certain other processes. Consequently, this can result in behavioral modifications. These processes can comprise reasoning and thinking. • Which Mental Conditions are Caused by Sundowning? • A person undergoing dementia and sundowning can be prone to some mental conditions. They can further play a role in influencing his or her behavior. Experiencing hallucinations is one such condition. • Hallucinations can particularly occur when the person is kept in a setting with low lighting. Consequently, shadows are produced due to such lighting. Hence, it can affect vision as well as perception. Following this, a dementia patient can hallucinate.
Can Behavioral Changes Worsen in Sundowning? • It is important to realize that sundowning can trigger behavioral changes as well as worsen them. Prabhi Sodhiclarifies that this syndrome can deprive a person of sleep. Also, when dementia and sundowning occur together, sleep problems worsen. For this reason, behavior can become more challenging. • Which Triggers Worsen Sundowning Behavior? • Poor sleep cycles are one of the key triggers that worsen behavior during this syndrome. Even when the time to wake up is not as per the schedule, the same result is typically observed. Sundowning can generate other triggers too. Some of these are given below: • It can cause dehydration, resulting in behavioral issues. • They can occur when other sleep disorders develop too. • Worsened behavior during sundowning can be triggered by poor perceptions. • Physical pain and illness can trigger it too.
How to Manage Behavioral Changes in Sundowning Syndrome? Preventing the triggers that cause behavioral changes is effective for their management. Along with this, sundowning can be prevented. Music and light therapies can help to manage this syndrome. Also, dementia specialists can provide the required assistance to control or treat these changes. Conclusion Sundowning can cause a dementia patient to undergo multiple behavioral changes. From anxiety to shadowing, they can vary. The dementia specialist, Prabhi Sodhi is of the view that understanding how the changes are triggered is vital. This helps in managing and preventing them as well.
