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38 | SUN LAKES LIFESTYLES | DECEMBER 2020 | Just in case: Check with your club contact to confirm meeting place, date, and time. December is usually a month of celebration and gift giving. Due to the pandemic, this year will probably be different for a lot of us. I hope each of you is able to be with your family. Whatever holiday you celebrate (Christmas, Hanukkah, or Kwanzaa), I wish you a HAPPY and SAFE one. The next Zoom meeting will be Thurs., Dec. 17 at 10 am. Members will be notified of the details by an email a few days prior to the meeting. The Zoom meetings have been very successful. If anyone needs help setting up for Zoom, contact Diane and she will get you going. If you have any questions, would like to learn more about Memory Loss, or would like reading materials that we can loan you, call Diane at (951) 769-0130, Doug at (360) 840-5559, or Anne at (951) 845- 8700. Remember we are here to help. SUNDOWNING It's common for people living with Alzheimer's disease to experience increased confusion, anxiety, agitation, pacing and disorientation beginning at dusk and continuing throughout the night. Commonly referred to as sundowning, this syndrome can disrupt the body's sleep-wake cycle causing more behavioral problems late in the day. FACTORS THAT MAY CAUSE SUNDOWNING Mental and physical exhaustion from a full day trying to keep up with an unfamiliar or confusing environment. Nonverbal behaviors of others, especially if stress or frustration is present, may inadvertently contribute to the stress level of a person living with Alzheimer's. Reduced lighting can increase shadows and may cause the person living with the disease to misinterpret what they see and, subsequently, become more agitated. TIPS THAT MAY HELP CAREGIVERS MANAGE SUNDOWNING Get plenty of rest so you're less likely to exhibit unintended nonverbal behavior. Schedule activities such as doctor appointments, trips, and bathing in the morning or early afternoon hours when the person living with dementia is more alert. Make notes about what happens before sundowning events and try to identify triggers. Reduce stimulation during the evening hours (i.e., TV, doing chores, loud music, etc.). These distractions may add to the person's confusion. Offer a larger meal at lunch and keep the evening meal lighter. Keep the home well lit in the evening. Adequate lighting may reduce the person's confusion. Do not physically restrain the person; it can make agitation worse. Allow the person to pace back and forth, as needed, under supervision. Take a walk with the person to help reduce his or her restlessness. Talk to the physician about the best times of day for taking medication. When behavioral interventions and environmental changes do not work, discuss the situation with your doctor. Caregiver Support Group