Why Does Sundowning Worsen in the Winter?

Now that the clocks have fallen back, winter is officially here. With it, the season brings some of the coldest and darkest days of the year. These conditions can intensify sundowning for those living with dementia, increasing their late-day agitation and confusion. 

The home health care agency Integracare helps its clients with sundowning every day. A dementia care service like Integracare relies on a dedicated team of compassionate health care professionals to ensure seniors remain safe and calm at this troubling time of the day. 

Having an at-home care agency at your side can help you manage sundowning better than on your own. However, even if with home care assistance, you may notice sundowning worsens during the winter. 

Have you ever wondered why worsening weather is linked to your loved one’s dementia symptoms? Let’s find out what Old Man Winter has to do with sundowning.

What is Sundowning in Dementia Care?

First, a definition of sundowning is in order. Sundowning is a term describing the confusion that occurs later in the day. It’s usually tied to sunset, which is how it gets its name. 

As afternoon bleeds into early evening, many people with middle- and late-stage dementia become agitated, anxious, and even aggressive. These negative emotions can exacerbate other common dementia behaviours, like pacing and shadowing. 

In some cases, people living with dementia may even wander, leaving the safe and warm comforts of home in their confusion. Unfortunately, wandering at night can be very dangerous. Missing incidents for people with dementia often lead to injury or even loss of life. 

Having a caregiver at home is essential for their safety at this point — whether it’s a family member or agency professionals. Someone needs to be at home at all times to ensure your loved one doesn’t leave and lose their way. 

Why Does the Winter Make Sundowning Worse?

Your loved one’s sundowning may get worse in the winter for the same reason why many people experience SAD. 

With daylights savings ending in early November, the sun sets much earlier in the afternoon than at other times of the year. When the sun is out, it’s less intense because of the axis of the Earth at this point of the year. The Northern Hemisphere points away from the sun, so its rays hit this area of the Earth at a shallow angle. 

The long, dark nights can be hard on your loved one, especially if they are already struggle with sundowning. Not getting enough sun throughout the day can also interfere with their sleep schedule or exacerbate existing mental illness. 

How Can You Cope with Worsening Sundowning?

If you have an at-home health care agency, speak to them right away about your concerns. The best care agencies tailor their services to your loved one’s needs, even if they wax and wane according to the seasons. They’ll be able to adjust how they treat your loved one, and they can share tips to help you cope if you’re ever alone dealing with this issue. 

Next, you can make small changes to your loved one’s day to lessen the risk of sundowning. 

During the Day: Open the blinds to let as much light in possible. Get them out and in the sun, careful to keep them warm against the winter’s chill. You may also consider adding vitamin D drops to their medication, although you should speak to their doctor first.  

At Sundown: Try to keep a peaceful atmosphere at home as the day wanes. While a small nap in the afternoon may help, don’t let them oversleep and disrupt their sleep schedule.

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