014 – Sundowning in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: What to know & do

In This Episode:

Geriatrician Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH, explains what caregivers should know about sundowning, including why it happens and how geriatricians recommend responding. She covers:

• Sundowning in dementia
• What is sundowning?
• Why sundowning happens
• Neuropsychiatric symptoms of dementia
• Sundowning versus delirium
• Other causes of agitation in dementia
• How to respond to agitation
• Before trying medications
• Medications in sundowning
• Non-drug approaches for agitation and sundowning
• Recommended approach to reduce sundowning

Related episode: 

• 006 – 10 Warning Signs of Early Alzheimer’s Disease

Related Resources:

• 5 Types of Medication Used to Treat Sundowning & Difficult Dementia Behaviors
• Caring for an aging parent? Learn about Dr. K’s Helping Older Parents programs here: https://betterhealthwhileaging.net/helping-older-parents/