Alzheimer’s Disease

My husband has Alzheimer’s — how can I keep him from wandering?

DEAR DOCTOR K: My husband has Alzheimer's disease. Last week he left the house, and it took us hours to find him. How can I prevent him from wandering again?

DEAR READER: One of the most dangerous and distressing symptoms of Alzheimer's is wandering. It may seem unfathomable that a person might suddenly get up at night to go to the post office, or leave home at any hour for no apparent reason. The inability to control wandering is what often drives families to decide to place a loved one in a nursing home.

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What is sundowning?

DEAR DOCTOR K: My wife is in her late 70s. Lately she appears very tired and agitated in the evenings. I talked to a doctor friend who said she might be "sundowning." What is sundowning, and what can we do about it?

DEAR READER: Some older people have trouble concentrating, grow agitated or even confused, and become especially fatigued at the end of the day. This phenomenon is known as "sundowning" because its effects tend to coincide with sunset -- usually occurring in the late afternoon into the evening, then settling down late at night.

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