OMNI homes work to minimize effects of sundown syndrome
Late afternoon one-to-one programs help reduce agitation
Friday May 16, 2008 -- Deron Hamel
OMNI long-term care homes have measures in place to mitigate the effects of sundown syndrome in residents with cognitive impairment.

Sundown syndrome — also called sundowner’s syndrome — refers to agitations experienced in the late afternoon or early evening by residents with cognitive impairment. These agitations are often brought on by confusion and include symptoms such as delusion, wandering, anger, depression and anxiety.

While the exact cause of sundown syndrome is unknown, it’s believed that it’s triggered by mental and physical exhaustion throughout the day coupled with the shift from daytime to nighttime.

Jackie Maxwell, director of care at Village Green, says staff members at the Selby long-term care home focus on spending one-to-one time in the late afternoon and early evening to help reduce agitations with residents who experience effects of the syndrome.

“If we’ve identified that there’s a need, the team looks at who’s available at that time and what the interests are of the resident and try to individualize a program for them,” says Maxwell.

Maxwell cites a recent example of one resident who typically experiences symptoms of sundown syndrome between 3:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. The resident was trying to get into the medication room as the registered staff was preparing for their evening rounds.

“I said to her, ‘Why don’t you come with me?’ And we went for a walk,’” she explains. “It could have been any one of our staff members who would have done that.”

Maxwell says one-to-one time with residents at the home has been successful at reducing agitation brought on by sundown syndrome.

Because each person is unique, Marnie Klein, a life enrichment aide at West Lake Terrace in Picton, notes that people who suffer the effects of sundown syndrome require different calming interventions.

While going for walks with residents before the sun sets is helpful for some residents suffering effects of sundown syndrome, other individuals benefit from light chores, such as folding washcloths.

“These are huge examples of best practices,” says Klein.

More information on sundown syndrome, as well as tips on how to reduce agitation associated with the syndrome, can be found at this website.

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