Given their cognitive condition, dealing with irate dementia patients can be difficult and delicate. When fits of rage, irritability, and uncontrollable frustration occur in the middle of the night, it becomes even more difficult.
Families must specifically comprehend why dementia patients become angry at night and how to deal with such a situation, even though caregivers are aware that dementia patients occasionally become angry.
Why do dementia patients get angry at night? Find the answer below!
You may want to read: Why Are Seniors So Angry: Reasons&Handling Ways – Elder VIP
Angry Behavior in People With Dementia
When someone with dementia gets angry, they may:
- Raise their voice
- Throw things
- Display combative behavior such as hitting, kicking, or pushing
- Yell and scream
- Try to physically attack you
- Use foul language
There can be indicators. The person might growl, frown, or swing an arm at a blank wall.
Occasionally, you might not anticipate it. This “no-warning” anger can be hard to cope with because it is unpredictable.
Why Do Dementia Patients Get Angry at Night?
There are some well-known, simple explanations for why some dementia patients act agitated or even violently at night. One of the main causes of the patient’s symptoms is Sundowning, a typical dementia symptom that exacerbates confusion and anxiety. Typically, this starts after sunset and lasts all night. Sundowning can be brought on by a variety of things, such as hunger, fatigue, and changes in lighting.
What is Sundown Syndrome?
In order to identify it, you must first closely monitor the patient’s symptoms. Misdiagnosis of patients is just as simple. After all, sundowners are not the only ones who experience these symptoms.
Sundown syndrome is a sign of dementia, as we have previously stated. It typically shows up around dusk. Patients who have the syndrome experience sickness as a result of this. They start acting in a very specific way that may seem strange to untrained eyes.
Sundown syndrome patients will have trouble falling asleep. At dusk, they also experience restlessness, anxiety, agitation, confusion, or disorientation, which can last all night. In fact, the disease’s name derives from the confused state that occurs at dusk and at night.
What exactly is sundowners syndrome in the elderly, and why are they at risk of getting it? Since older people are more likely to develop dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, the causes are unclear, but it affects their brain and throws off their sleep-wake cycle.
Although the precise cause of sundown syndrome is unknown, there are many theories. We will discuss these likely explanations in the section after this. We’ll then talk about some strategies for supporting a family member who has sundown syndrome.
Causes of Sundown Syndrome
The precise causes of sundown syndrome are still unknown. Although they are not the best explanations, there are some hints as to what these might be. Let’s investigate these explanations.
Bad Sleep
You probably know what the “internal clock” or circadian rhythm is. It controls our sleep-wake cycle and is greatly influenced by ambient light and dark cues. Our bodies start producing more melatonin and less dopamine as the sun sets, which helps us fall asleep. Melatonin production is already lower in dementia patients than it is in healthy individuals.
This causes the patient to experience additional issues. Elderly dementia patients receive melatonin supplements. This can be applied as a strategy to offset the decline in natural production.
However, people who have sundown syndrome will notice that their internal clocks are off. They won’t be able to sleep at night as a result, which will force them to sleep during the day. The natural sleep cycle will be disturbed as a result of this.
Shadows and Lighting Change
In the dim evening light, shadows may appear that are misinterpreted and agitate people. Particularly when the patient spends too much time in strange environments, this occurs. Confusion is a daily occurrence for dementia patients. They become the main victims of sundown syndrome as a result.
Patients may also become confused if they cannot distinguish between dreams and reality. Patients could be led astray by shadows and light and believe they are dreaming. As a result, when they can no longer tell the two apart, confusion results.
Other Reasons
- People’s Behavior-This includes nonverbal cues from those around patients that make them feel uneasy. Sundowners might result, for instance, from a nurse or caregiver acting unkind or coldly toward them.
- Infections-Agitation can also be brought on by other medical conditions, like infections. For instance, urinary tract infections are quite typical among elderly people. Similarly, excruciating tooth decay might also be to blame.
- Mealtime Confusion-Around the time the patient is typically served dinner is when Sundowner’s symptoms start to manifest. Dopamine is the polar opposite of melatonin, and this may increase dopamine levels.
- Incorrect Medication-Sundown syndrome could also appear as a result of the wrong medication. These drugs may have hallucinogenic effects, which worsen the situation rather than improving it.
A crucial distinction needs to be made between delirium and sundown syndrome. Sundown syndrome is circumstantial, whereas delirium is acute and lasts a while. It also lasts for a set number of hours each day and is much shorter in length.
How to Respond Angry Dementia Patients?
If you use one of these tactics, you might be able to handle the person you’re caring for’s anger or aggression. Depending on the circumstances, you’ll have to decide which.
Don’t Argue
Dementia patients are notoriously difficult to reason with. Even if you believe you have a compelling argument, this is true.
Arguing with someone might only aggravate them. You won’t “win,” and the situation may become worse.
Give Time
When someone gets angry while you’re assisting them with a task, step back for a while. Ensure that the individual is secure before allowing them some space and time.
You might discover that attempting the same task 20 minutes later yields an entirely different outcome.
Give Space
Give the person some room. Because they feel as though their personal space has been violated and they are unsure of why, they may be resisting.
Change Caregivers
Routines frequently help people with dementia. They might favor a caregiver who is reliable. But occasionally, a different face can produce a different outcome.
If there are other employees present at the care facility where you work, consider switching caregivers.
Use Distraction
A good diversion is music. Make an effort to play some of the songs that your loved one enjoys. It might help make the person feel better and put them in the right frame of mind to accept assistance.
Try other diversion methods, such as watching your favorite TV shows or sports events.
One-on-One Interactions
When there are numerous caregivers present, some dementia patients may feel threatened or overburdened. One-on-one conversations with just one person at a time might be beneficial. Aggression can be sparked by more than one person.
Summary
Patience is the most effective strategy for handling rage and aggression in dementia patients. There is a good chance you can handle their outbursts at odd hours of the day if you understand the causes and reasons for what their illness requires as well as the likely results of living with such a person.
FAQs
How to Help Someone Who is Sundowning?
A calm environment should be maintained, and noise from people and clutter should be minimized. It can be beneficial to distract the person with their preferred food or activity. A quiet evening is also preferable because it creates a soothing atmosphere. Try to soften the lighting in your house as well.
How Long Does the Sundowning Phase Last?
An episode of Sundowning can frequently last for several hours, if not the entire night. Patients frequently experience it even during the day, especially in the afternoon, when this stage of dementia occurs when SundowningSundowning occurs. It happens more often in the middle stages.
