History of Sundown Syndrome – Bishop Desmond Tutu, a respected clergyman, once quoted, “You don’t choose your family. They are God’s gift to you, as you are to them.” If you’re in any doubt of what value they have in your life, ask the relatives or loved ones of those who spend the days ‘withering’ away, thanks to dementia – and in particular, Alzheimer’s disease.
This is why caregivers (especially from the family) burn out with the pressure, and it is greater than you can ever imagine. While there are other diseases that can cause family members so much pain, there are cures for these diseases but for those afflicted with Alzheimer’s, there is none. On that grim note, it should also be said that serious efforts are being devoted to research to understand the condition of dementia fully so as to prevent it from the outset.
But that’s not all – almost 45 % of patients suffering from Alzheimer’s disease also struggle with a condition known as Sundown (or Sundowner’s) Syndrome, which causes agitation and confusion for patients – and cause havoc for the caregiver since they’re almost always at the ‘receiving end’.
This condition has been recognized by doctors for the past 60 years although, for the lack of a proper definition, continues to remain shrouded in mystery and controversy, as to whether it is real or not. The manifestation of this condition is more likely in patients with the aforementioned condition of dementia and the disruptive behavior that comes with it may vary in severity from patient to patient.
While little is known about Sundown Syndrome and how it came into being, even less is known about the cause of this condition that patients with dementia have to deal with on a daily basis.
Thanks to numerous patients showing irritability and in some cases, even anger, the evidence to support this condition is well-documented by researchers and experts alike. Without a doubt, caregivers must watch out for symptoms that occur and take simple yet necessary steps to relieve the patient of the discomfort that it causes them.
Alternatively, while the general consensus is that this confusion or agitation is due to disrupted ‘circadian rhythms’ some experts are of the opinion that Sundowner’s syndrome doesn’t necessarily have to be limited to the time between the late afternoons and evenings but can happen during the day as well – as the body can respond to other stimuli other than light and sound.
Yet what is certain is that as more and more evidence is being revealed about Sundown Syndrome, the doubt surrounding the condition’s authenticity will soon be ‘history’.
For starters, ask the caregivers.