Extra Care

11/11/2025

Sometimes a person with dementia may become intensely distressed and agitated in the later afternoon or towards the end of the day. This is known as ‘sundowning.’

The symptoms may continue into the night, making it hard for them to get enough sleep, but they aren’t necessarily linked to the sun setting, or limited to the end of the day.

Sundowning can happen at any stage of dementia but is more common during the middle and later stages.

The reasons why sundowning happens are not well understood, but it is possible that a range of different causes makes it more likely. These might include:

Tiredness, hunger, pain or other unmet physical needs

Not enough exposure to sunlight during the day

Overstimulation during the day, such as from a noisy or busy environment

Disturbance to the person’s ‘body clock’ caused by damage to the brain

Disturbed levels of hormones that vary over the course of the day

Sensory impairment, such as hearing or sight loss

Tiredness in other people causing the person with dementia to become upset

Mood disorders, such as anxiety or depression

Fewer carers around to look after the person (in a care home)

Side effects of prescribed drugs

Sometimes what seems like ‘sundowning’ could be the person trying to communicate a need. This could be needing the toilet, feeling hungry or being in pain.

Uneven indoor lighting and reflective surfaces can sometimes cause confusion by creating disturbing shadows or mirrors.

Close the curtains or blinds once it starts to get dark and cover the television with a dust cover, if it’s not being used.

Think whether something that’s happened during the day has affected them.

If they remain agitated, it could be that they have a need that is not being met.

If they seem agitated, try to calm them by distracting them, perhaps talking about a favourite memory.

[Image description:
A light blue infographic with the title 'What causes sundowning?' centred infront of a yellow glow, surrounding by eight different illustrations depicting each cause, including: tiredness, hunger, pain, lack of sunlight, overstimulation, sensory impairment, body clock disturbance, prescribed drug side effects, mood disorders, and hormone level imbalances.]

29/10/2025

22/10/2025

Reminder! The clocks go back this weekend ⏰

Changing the clocks can be confusing for all of us – but for someone living with dementia it can be particularly disorientating and even distressing.

Thankfully there are a few easy things we can do to help minimise any disruption.

Consider having dinner and going to bed an hour earlier on Saturday, so that the person you’re caring for still gets enough sleep and can wake up at their usual time on Sunday.

Keep to a regular routine during the day and at bedtime. Doing regular activities at the same time each day – for example, going for a walk after breakfast – can help a person with dementia make sense of the time.

Gentle exercise outdoors can help the person feel sleepier during the evening. If this isn’t an option, keeping them active during the day can have a similar effect.

Use blackout curtains to reduce sunlight in the evening to help with body clock regulation.

Invest in an auto-setting clock for them. Reading a clock face can be tricky for some people with dementia, so often digital clocks are easier. You can also get clocks that show the day of the week and date as well as the time, and for some people a day/night clock can help them distinguish what time of day it is.

02/09/2025

We will be available to chat to at this Advance Care Planning event on Thursday 11th September 10-2. A wealth of information will be available all under the one roof.

Come along and chat and find out what is available in your area.

Come along and find out just what Advance Care Planning is and just why it is so important.

What is Advanced Care Planning?
Watch this short informational video https://vimeo.com/760303591?fl=pl&fe=sh

And also there will be a whole host of information for your Health and Well-being.

Victory Swim and Fitness Centre Norfolk Lowland Search and Rescue Norfolk family hubs Mind Gordon Haynes Independent Funeral Services Limited Aylsham and District Care Trust Advance Care Planning Vision Norfolk Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care System North Norfolk Community Transport Norfolk Primary Care North Walsham Town Football Club Events in North Walsham North Walsham parkrun NHS Norfolk and Waveney Children & Young People's Health Services Norfolk & Waveney Prostate Cancer Support Group Norfolk and Waveney Talking Therapies NHS Norfolk and Waveney ICB Digital North Norfolk News Carers Matter Norfolk Boom Young Carers - The Benjamin Foundation Dementia Friendly Norwich Dementia Friends North Walsham Good Neighbour Scheme North Walsham Library Paston Surgery Mundesley Medical Centre Cromer Group Practice Yendell's Health & Wellness Hub Yendell's Health & Wellness Hub RunBuddies Get Me Out The Four Walls North Walsham Phoenix Group North Walsham Community Centre Sheringham Community Support North Walsham Community Shop Steffan Aquarone Lucy Shires Star Throwers It's On The Ball - Testicular Cancer Charity

18/08/2025

There’s no one thing that causes vascular dementia, but there are lots of different things that increase a person’s chances of developing the condition. These are called ‘risk factors’.

This graphic shows a few of the most common risk factors for vascular dementia. This type of dementia is caused by reduced blood flow to the brain, so some conditions that affect your heart and brain may also increase your risk of developing vascular dementia.

Some of these risk factors, like ageing, can’t be changed, but others can be avoided through lifestyle choices.

Things you can do to reduce your risk of developing vascular dementia, and other types of dementia, include keeping active, eating healthily and exercising your mind.

And if you’re worried about yourself or someone else - we’re here for you. Just give our Dementia Support Line a call on 0333 150 3456.

22/07/2025

It can be hard to know what to do if a person with dementia tells you the same things repeatedly. But It's very likely the person does not know they keep asking the same question or repeating the same action.

Here are a few things that can help you and the person living with dementia:

👉 Try to be patient and keep your tone level and calm.

👉 Is there a need behind the person’s behaviour? Perhaps they’re looking for reassurance? Or do they miss a person or place from the story and want to reminisce?

👉 Is something triggering the behaviour – for example, does it happen the same time of day or around the same people?

👉 Distracting the person or engaging them in an activity they enjoy can help shift their focus onto something else.

👉 Try to avoid telling the person they’re repeating themselves. This could be upsetting or knock their confidence.

👉 If the person is repeating themselves because they’re nervous or anxious, a product like a fidget m**f (a knitted or crocheted hand m**f with various textures and items attached to it) or sensory blanket may help. You could also try a favourite piece of music or TV show.

👉 If the behaviour isn’t harmful or causing a problem, accept that the person finds it comforting and reassuring, and let it be.