My gut said, what can we do to control these people? What can we do to make them conform? These kids are making me uncomfortable! Why did this have to happen when I was there? As I was watching this with my son, I began thinking about the concept of Sun Downing and what it must be like for a person with Alzheimer’s Disease. I realized that I was beginning to sundown just like the kids. I was tired, hungry, and wanted to be in my own comfortable house where I was familiar and in control of my surroundings. I wanted my normal routine! My abilities to express myself in an appropriate manner where diminished and I was beginning to wander around the place wishing I was outside. I was willing to buy my son any snack he wanted, just so he would not bother me. Thankfully, I came out of my stupor and realized that I was the one who had the ability to change not the kids near me.

Let’s take a closer look at these kids and the circumstances as it relates to the phenomenon known as Sun Downing. When a child is young and unable to communicate verbally, they will communicate to us through primitive means. When are they most likely to communicate with us? When their basic needs are not being met! For an infant or young child, basic needs are things like food, love, attention, and appropriate amounts of stimulation, warmth and comfort. How quickly we forget that these are the same needs that all of us have. Imagine yourself being suddenly stricken with an illness that renders you unable to verbally express yourself. In clinical terms, we call this Expressive Aphasia. How do you tell people you are angry? How do you tell people you are hungry, tired, cranky, or simply, I don’t want to be around anyone now?

I hope that you are beginning to understand now that the term Sun Downing is just that, a term! Whenever this word is used in connection with someone with Dementia, you should ask yourself the following questions: Is this person in any pain or are their any circumstances that are different from their normal routine? Who has to change?  How can I make changes to help this person?

Sun Downing is a state of increased agitation, activity and negative behaviors which happen late in the day through the evening hours. It used to be thought that Sun Downing was caused by the lowering light and shorter days. However, research now indicates that being overly tired may have more to do with Sun Downing. I know I get more agitated if I am not well rested! lHere are some suggestions on how to minimize the negative behaviors associated with Sun Downing, thank you to an unknown author for most of this information.

1. Limit outings and activities to the morning hours: Generally the individual with Alzheimer’s Disease is better able to tolerate outings, activities and increased stimulus during the earlier part of the day. Plan your trips to the grocery store, involvement with kids, visits to day care and so forth during the earlier part of the day. This should be followed with a time of decreased stimulus and quiet time to allow your loved one to wind down and relax.

2. Make sure that your loved one is well-rested: I know that this is easier said then done. It does help though if you can get your loved one to take a nap just before their normal period of Sun Downing. If they can not or will not nap, an hour of quiet time (reduced stimulation and activity) will work. Choose an activity that is simple and enjoyable to them. Ask them to tell you about a past experience or tell them story of your own. Often times, they will dose off.

3. Decrease the amount of stimulus. Even during the earlier part of the day the individual with Alzheimer’s Disease can only tolerate so much stimulation and commotion. Take steps to eliminate over-stimulation such as television, children, any noise making item, quick movements and many things going on at one time. Sometimes excessive stimulation can not be avoided. When that happens, allow your loved one to have a quiet area to retreat to.

4.  Identify and minimize physical discomfort: Other types of physical discomfort can also play a part in Sun Downing. Hunger, being wet or soiled, feeling cold/hot and other sources of discomfort can increase agitation, especially in the late afternoon and early evening. Light snacking during the day can be helpful. Apples and other fruits can help replace lost energy – even if your loved one is pacing back and forth, that does not mean they have an endless supply of energy. Make sure that your loved one’s personal needs are attended to and that the climate is at a comfortable level.

5. Identify and treat medical ailments: Many ailments can contribute to Sun Downing and agitation. Arthritis can be one of the most common causes. An over-the-counter painkiller as recommended by their physician before the early afternoon might be of great benefit. Urinary Tract Infections (UTI), flus/colds, asthma, allergies and other conditions are all medical ailments that can contribute to Sun Downing.

6. Be observant to possible causes of agitation and be proactive to either relocate the source such as children at play, or relocate your loved one. Watching to see what is going on, what events are happening and who is present prior to Sun Downing can help reveal some causes (and solutions).

7. Keep things simple: Keep the surroundings as simple as possible. Be sure your loved one’s walking paths are clear from clutter and obstacles. Low furniture such as coffee tables and foot stools can make it difficult for your loved one and a become a source of frustration. Keep knickknacks to a minimum and the tops of tables, television shelves and other surfaces as clear as possible. Mirrors and pictures can often become unfriendly visitors that the individual with Alzheimer’s Disease can not understand. Complicated, noisy appliances are also frustrating to them. Avoid changing things once you have things simplified. Changes of any kind are extremely frustrating.