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Sundowning Syndrome Clinical Factors and Therapeutic Approaches

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About the Course
Healthcare professionals who work with dementia patients often face unique challenges with adverse events from the dementia process. One frequently reported challenge is "sundowning syndrome", which can lead to escalated behaviors and clinical symptoms in the afternoons or evenings. This course explains the pathophysiology of sundowning syndrome to include the neurobiological, medical, pharmacological, psychosocial, and environmental factors which contribute to the signs and symptoms of this disorder. Furthermore, this course expounds on evidence-based and practical interventions to address sundowning symptoms to include those that address underlying conditions, those that promote more quality sleep, environmental factors found to be effective, and other non-pharmacological interventions shared by nursing services and caregivers.

Learning Outcomes

  • Identify the contributing neurobiological abnormalities that interfere with normal circadian rhythm, leading to the sundowning syndrome.
  • Identify the risks with pharmacological interventions for people with sundowning syndrome.
  • Recognize the medical and environmental factors, to assess and address the needs of a person with sundowning symptoms.
  • Select the recommended interprofessional techniques found to be effective with those who show signs of sundowning behaviors.

About the Author
Lisa Young Milliken, MA, CCC-SLP, FNAP, CDP has served as a practitioner, regional manager, vice president, consultant, compliance director and education specialist. She has lectured at the state and national level with over 300 professional education courses on topics of importance to the healthcare professional. She is a Certified Dementia Practitioner and has mentored team members in senior retirement communities for their development of effective non-pharmacological strategies and dementia program management. She also volunteers with community programs in the Houston area to support caregivers of family members living with multiple disorders. She is a member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, where she currently serves as a State Advocate for Medicare Policy for Texas. She is Vice President of Professional Services for the Texas Speech-Language and Hearing Association and also serves on the Financial Advisory Committee and the Publications Board of this organization. She is a Distinguished Fellow of Public Policy for the National Academies of Practice where she serves as the Co-Chair of the Forum Planning Committee and is a prior board president of the Louisiana Speech-Language and Hearing Association and an alumnus of the Council of State Association Presidents. Finally, she is a member of the Kingwood-Humble Aggie Mom Board and lives in Houston, Texas.

How to Receive Credit

  • Read the entire course online or in print.
  • Answer the final examination questions at the end of the course. A passing grade of 70% is required. Test questions link content to learning objectives as a method to enhance individualized learning and material retention.
  • Provide required personal information and payment information.
  • Complete the mandatory course evaluation.
  • Print your Certificate of Completion.

Resolution of Conflict of Interest
Colibri Healthcare, LLC implemented mechanisms prior to the planning and implementation of the continuing education activity, to identify and resolve conflicts of interest for all individuals in a position to control content of the course activity.

Sponsorship/Commercial Support and Non-Endorsement
It is the policy of Colibri not to accept commercial support. Furthermore, commercial interests are prohibited from distributing or providing access to this activity to learners.

Disclaimer
The information provided in this activity is for continuing education purposes only and is not meant to substitute for the independent medical judgment of a healthcare provider relative to diagnostic and treatment options of a specific patient’s medical condition.

©2022: All Rights Reserved. Materials may not be reproduced without the expressed written permission or consent of Colibri Healthcare, LLC. The materials presented in this course are meant to provide the consumer with general information on the topics covered. The information provided was prepared by professionals with practical knowledge of the areas covered. It is not meant to provide medical, legal, or professional advice. Colibri Healthcare, LLC recommends that you consult a medical, legal, or professional services expert licensed in your state. Colibri Healthcare, LLC has made all reasonable efforts to ensure that all content provided in this course is accurate and up to date at the time of printing but does not represent or warrant that it will apply to your situation nor circumstances and assumes no liability from reliance on these materials. Quotes are collected from customer feedback surveys. The models are intended to be representative and not actual customers.

Accreditations and Approvals

AOTA logoColibri Healthcare, LLC is an AOTA Approved Provider of professional development. Course approval ID# 06541. This Distance Learning-Independent is offered at .2 CEUs, Intermediate, OT Service Delivery, Foundational Knowledge. The assignment of AOTA CEUs does not imply endorsement of specific course content, products, or clinical procedures by AOTA.