Sundowning is a phenomenon commonly observed in dementia patients, where their symptoms, such as confusion, agitation, and restlessness, tend to worsen during the late afternoon and early evening hours. This can lead to increased behavioral and psychological challenges for both the patients and their caregivers. Wandering, on the other hand, is a behavior in dementia patients characterized by aimlessly moving about with no clear purpose or destination. It can occur at any time of day and may be a response to restlessness, confusion, or a desire to explore. Both sundowning and wandering can be distressing for caregivers and require special care and management strategies to ensure the safety and well-being of dementia patients.

 

 

Wandering-Alzheimer’s Association

https://www.alz.org/help-support/caregiving/stages-behaviors/wandering

 

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Sleep Issues and Sundowning

https://www.alz.org/help-support/caregiving/stages-behaviors/sleep-issues-sundowning

 

 

Wandering and Alzheimer’s Disease

https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/wandering-and-alzheimers-disease

 

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Tips for Coping with Sundowning 

https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/tips-coping-sundowning

 

 

Dementia and Wandering: Reducing the Risks

https://alzfdn.org/wandering-and-demenita/

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Teepa Snow

Ep. 161: How Can We Reduce Incidents of Wandering or Elopement?

https://youtu.be/FiNgIFfm8dA?si=4yZXUiGeeX9OgF1L

 

Ep. 175: Sundowning, What You Need to Know

https://youtu.be/XQ-dr9JDR_0?si=dXL9BhXO50PhjL_Z

 

 

UCLA Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care Program

Sundowning

https://www.uclahealth.org/medical-services/geriatrics/dementia/caregiver-education/caregiver-training-videos/sundowning

 

Wandering

https://www.uclahealth.org/medical-services/geriatrics/dementia/caregiver-education/caregiver-training-videos/wandering

 

 

11 Ways to Manage Sundown Syndrome

https://www.aarp.org/caregiving/health/info-2017/ways-to-manage-sundown-syndrome.html

 

 

Dementia Support Northwest - Project Lifesaver

 

Project Lifesaver is an electronic technology program to locate missing persons. In partnership with Whatcom County Search and Rescue, DSNW serves as the local coordinating agency for Project Lifesaver (PLS) for those who wander. Enrollment in Project Lifesaver includes equipment maintenance, battery changes, and thanks to an anonymous donor, the upfront equipment costs are covered for each and every member.

 

https://www.dementiasupportnw.org/project-lifesaver

 

 

Alzheimer's Association, Safe Return Program 
The Alzheimer's Association Safe Return® is a nationwide identification, support and enrollment program that provides assistance when a person with dementia wanders and becomes lost.

If an enrollee is missing, one call immediately activates a community support network. Visit the website or call toll-free 1-888-572-8566.

• Taking Care of Aging Family Member: A Practical Guide. Wendy Lustbader and Nancy Hooyman. (paperback) New York: Free Press, Rev/Ex edition (1994).

• Counting on Kindness, Dilemmas of Dependency. Wendy Lustbader. (paperback) New York: Free Press (1991).

• The 36-Hour Day: A Family Guide to Caring for Persons with Alzheimer Disease, Related Dementing Illnesses, and Memory Loss in Later Life. Nancy L. Mace, and Peter V. Rabins. Mass Market Paperback (2001)

• The Forgetting. Alzheimer's: Portrait of an Epidemic. David Shenk, New York: Doubleday (2001).

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