Understanding Sundowning in Elders and How an Estate Plan Addresses Dementia Care

Sundowning is a common symptom of dementia in elders that typically occurs in late afternoon and evening, as the sun sets. The syndrome is characterized by increased confusion, restlessness, agitation, and other similar behavior and feelings. An estate plan can provide a sound framework for supporting an elder in need of care due to sundowning and other causes. Understanding sundowning and the elder’s estate plan care provisions are both critical elements in successfully managing and providing for the needs of an elder with dementia.

What Is Sundowning?

Many elders who have dementia display a symptom or syndrome called sundowning during late afternoon or early evening. When it occurs, an elder seems to have a personality change characterized by confusion, anger, agitation, disorientation, and other similar behaviors and feelings. The causes of sundowning are unknown, but the occurrence is well documented. Some of the difficulties and distress of sundowning can be successfully minimized by a knowledgeable, attentive caregiver.

Sundowning usually lasts for a couple hours and improves by morning. Sometimes, the behaviors and feelings can be minimized by helping an elder avoid exhaustion, eat regular and balanced meals, stay hydrated, and get sufficient sleep and rest. Maintaining a calming environment is also important. If sundowning becomes extreme and difficult to manage or poses safety issues for an elder or caregiver, the elder’s family and loved ones may need to consider increased in-home care, memory care, or nursing home care. An elder law attorney can help the elder’s loved ones evaluate the available options, based on the provisions of the elder’s estate plan and other support mechanisms and resources.

Our elder law and estate planning attorneys at Asset Protection & Elder Law of Georgia address many unique concerns of seniors and elders and help individuals plan for their later years as part of planning for incapacity. We also work with family members regarding issues and concerns of senior loved ones and with individuals who want to ensure that their estate plan addresses all their goals and wishes, especially with regard to care late in life. Planning ahead by addressing elder care in your estate plan or your loved one’s estate plan before issues arise is always a better approach than waiting until the need becomes immediate.

How an Estate Plan Provides the Framework for Elder Care

Many people do not realize that one of the most important goals in creating their estate plan is providing a plan for what happens in the event of temporary or permanent incapacity during their lifetime. These concerns are particularly critical as individuals approach their senior years. If a person does not have an estate plan, Georgia laws establish the framework for a person’s care during incapacity. It is much better for each person to make their own choices and establish their own incapacity plan and framework by creating a sound estate plan.

If you have an older loved one, it is important to make certain they address the legal issues that may arise as the years go by. Our elder law and estate planning attorneys are here to provide assistance to your aging parents or loved ones and address all of their concerns. Advance planning for elder care is always beneficial for an aging senior and their family members.

Every person should have a Georgia estate plan with key documents that address incapacity as well as estate distribution. The documents that provide a framework for incapacity planning include:

• A durable power of attorney for financial matters, which identifies and designates a trusted person to act on your behalf in managing your finances if you become incapacitated and details the responsibilities of the designated agent
• An advance directive for health care, which identifies and designates a trusted person to make personal and medical decisions in the event of incapacity and expresses your wishes for medical and personal care (including end-of-life care)

In addition to these documents, an estate plan can address nursing home care planning, including Medicaid planning. Together, all of these estate planning documents provide a plan for care if a person becomes incapacitated due to dementia or another reason in their later years. If sundowning occurs during dementia, the estate plan provides the necessary framework for the elder’s personal, medical, and financial care.

Legal Support for You and Your Elder Loved Ones

Our attorneys at Asset Protection & Elder Law of Georgia have the knowledge and experience to address the wide range of legal issues and concerns that arise late in life. For assistance with the needs of an aging loved one or with establishing your own estate plan, we welcome you to call us at (770) 382-0984 or contact us through our online form.