Hi, I pulled all the threads relating to sundowning, and I'm still not sure this is what is going on with my DH. He seems to still do okay during the day with minimal supervision. Since this heart thing, he sleeps alot. I've noticed the last couple of days, though, by the time I get home from work, he is absolutely goofy. He tries to do the things he always does, like set the table, but you should see the new configurations he comes up with! He has a hard time navigating thru the meal with the silverware, and then after dinner he just is so confused, I send him to bed. It's the confusion that seems to be so bad in the evening. Is this sundowning?
sounds like it to me! confusion in the late afternoons, sometimes aggitation and anger increase as well. pacing, etc. general ansiness. many forms all sundowning. you may want to get to dr and speak about upping the rx if he continues. divvi
This is the definition I found, and it certainly fits your description:
"Sundowning is a phenomenon unique to Alzheimer's disease where the person becomes more confused and agitated in the late afternoon and early evening. Several theories have been proposed about why sundowning occurs, such as increased confusion due to darkness and shadows, fatigue, and a reduced ability to tolerate stressful situations. The best way to approach sundowning is to make late afternoons and evenings as simple and relaxing as possible. Reduce distractions or unscheduled activities, and keep rooms well-lit until bedtime."
Thanks for the help. I will speak to his PCP when we see him next. I think the next med that will be coming into our house will be an anti-anxiety med for me!
I refer to it as the time when our carriage turns back into a pumpkin. It can happen anywhere from 4 pm to 8 pm, but--at that point--there's no point in trying to do anything that requires any alertness or cooperative willingness from Jeff, because it'll just make him confused and grumpy. Best case scenario--we have a glass of wine, I read to him or we watch tv, and he goes to bed.
My DH has not shown any of these agressive signs but I wondered why he went around turning all the lights on.. I was going around after him turning them off and then he would turn them on again ..now I won't do that anymore. Thanks for your input on this subject....So much to learn,,,,,
Good reference, Emily. Mine starts around 3, we have a glass of wine, eat dinner around 5, he's in bed by 6 or 6:30. All appointments, errands, whatever, is planned for morning hours - nothing in the mid to late afternoon. I also keep lights burning most of the time.
My husband sundowns in the morning when he gets up. He gets increasingly better as the day goes on, and it is easiest to shower him, etc., in the evening. Just goes to show what a weird disease this is.
Fortunately your wife's communication problems are just in the evening. My dh has a problem with words all day. It tears me apart that I don't understand what he is trying to say. I drop whatever I am doing and give him my undivided attention. Sometimes I can figure out what he is talking about.
shirley this sounds like my dh. He can never find the words he is trying to say. Can't find them or say them. I do the same as you do,,,, drop everything..... time and time again,,,,we just keep on trying to figure things out. Most of the time if I can't figure it out I just make some funny remark and we laugh..... don't know what else to do cause I don't want him to see me cry all the time. Hope things get better for you....