What To Do When Dementia Gets Worse at Night

If your loved one with dementia becomes more confused, restless, agitated, aggressive, or fearful later in the day or at night, you are not alone. See if you qualify for the GUIDE Model: intakeguide.medbetterhealth.org In this episode of Straight Talk with Dr. Erik, I explain why nighttime dementia symptoms happen, what sundowning is, and what caregivers can do to create a calmer, safer evening routine. We talk about why dementia symptoms can worsen as the day goes on, including circadian rhythm disruption, sensory overload, fatigue, fading natural light, shadows, and changes in visual processing. Most importantly, I want you to understand this: Nighttime dementia symptoms are not a reflection of your caregiving abilities. They are often connected to real physical changes happening in the brain. In this video, I walk through the 5 Rs caregivers can use when their loved one is anxious, confused, or agitated: Reassure Redirect Routine Reduce stimulation Rest support We also talk about practical steps that can help at night, including: How to respond without arguing Why correcting their perception usually does not work How shadows can be misinterpreted as threats Why routine creates safety How to build a calming evening schedule When to reduce caffeine, heavy meals, liquids, TV, and bright lights How to make the bedroom safer at night Why motion-activated lights, door alarms, cameras, and grab bars can help If you are caring for someone with dementia, this video is meant to educate you, support you, and remind you that you should not have to carry this alone. If your family is caring for someone with dementia in New York or Florida, MedBetterHealth may be able to support you through the GUIDE Model. The GUIDE Model stands for Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience. It is designed to support eligible families living with dementia by helping caregivers access structured dementia care support, caregiver education, care navigation, respite support, and ongoing guidance. Start here to see if your family qualifies: intakeguide.medbetterhealth.org Subscribe to Straight Talk with Dr. Erik for more dementia care education, caregiver support, and practical tools for families. #DementiaCare #Sundowning #CaregiverSupport #AlzheimersCare #FamilyCaregivers #DementiaSupport #AgingParents #SeniorCare #MedBetterHealth #GUIDEModel