8. Altered Appetite – The Taste of Dusk
With the onset of sundowning, individuals may experience changes in their appetite and eating habits. They might start eating less, skipping meals, or have difficulty eating on their own. This altered appetite can result in weight loss and nutritional deficiencies, affecting their overall health.
Why does sundown syndrome affect appetite? Well, the heightened confusion and restlessness can make mealtimes overwhelming. They might forget how to use utensils, struggle with chewing or swallowing, or simply lose interest in food. Furthermore, their altered perception can make familiar foods seem unappetizing or even repulsive, further contributing to the decrease in food intake.
However, altered appetite is a common symptom in many health conditions, including depression, certain medications, or even other types of dementia. It’s also common for older adults to have reduced appetite due to various factors like diminished sense of taste or smell, dental issues, or a slower metabolic rate. Therefore, changes in appetite should always be evaluated by a healthcare professional before attributing them to sundown syndrome.(8)
