Sundowning with Dementia.

• “Sundowning” with Dementia or dementia agitation is a very common and serious complication of dementia.

• “Sundowning” dementia agitation commonly occurs in the late afternnoon and evening when the person is more tired and more confused.

• It commonly is associated with restlessness, wandering, verbal and physical aggression, hallucinations and paranoid delusions.

• It requires specific drug treatment to reduce the intensity and duration of these distressing symptoms.

• If there is a new onset of “Sundowning” agitation in a dementia patient then delirium must be suspected and excluded which is a treatable medical emergency.

• Causes of temporary confusion and disorientation, new confusion in elderly at night, sudden confusion and disorientation in elderly must be investigated and treated.

• There can be tremendous relief for both the patient and carer with cautious drug treatment, monitoring carefully for side effects and regular reviews of progress.

• Such drug treatment can in fact prolong the ability of the carer to manage the dementia patient at home, delay nursing home admission and improve their quality of life.   

For more information read Dr Peter Lipski’s book “Your Elderly Parents Failing Health. Is It Ageing Or A Treatable Condition”.