Ativan helped mom with Sundowning which started in the afternoon. You can't 'avoid this time of day' but maybe you can help DH deal with the issues he's having a bit better. What's happening? Is he aggressive or upset, wanting to 'go home' or see dead relatives? For mom, that was agitation and the Ativan at .25 mgs calmed her down quite a bit. Then hospice increased it (when they came on board) to .50 as needed.
Have you given any thought to Memory Care for your DH? Dementia/AD can reach a point where the behaviors and issues he's having are killing YOU. You may want to look into placement for him at some point, which becomes necessary for a huge number of spouses/people in your position. Mom lived in Memory Care AL for nearly 3 years and had loving caregivers who went above and beyond in caring for her. Hospice was wonderful, too, when they were needed in the last 2 months of her life.
We have a poster here who swore up down & around that a Richway Biomat Mini heating pad type of gadget with amethyst crystals helped his mother TREMENDOUSLY with her Sundowning. Turned her from a lion into a kitten as soon as she would lie down on it. They are quite expensive but you can rent one to try it out, or rent it long term, even. Go Google Richway Biomat Mini Rentals in ___________your area and see what comes up. I have no firsthand experience with this pad, but always like to pass on the info in case it helps someone with their loved one.
I suggest you read this 33 page booklet (a free download) if you haven't already, which has THE best information ever about managing dementia and what to expect with an elder who's been diagnosed with it:
Understanding the Dementia Experience, by Jennifer Ghent-Fuller https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/210580
The article addresses sleep issues with dementia/AD and has lots of good suggestions for dealing with it.
Wishing you the best of luck with a difficult situation.
Medication can help. There are other things that might help as well. Increase the lighting in the rooms where he is. Use LED lighting as it can be a brighter light and fewer shadows. Close blinds, drapes so you do not get a reflection in the windows that will make it look like a mirror. (My Husband would wave at his reflection thinking it was someone on the outside looking in.) Keep on a schedule. Keep him busy so he is tired in the evening. Try to limit or eliminate naps later in the day.
If he is getting agitated at this time try to reassure him that he is safe, if possible try to redirect by giving him a task to do.
I read your profile and you mention that the doctor has prescribed "sleeping pills" but they do not work consistently. Have you informed the doctor about this and what is going on? There are other medications that might work better than a "sleeping pill". Many sleep aids have adverse side effects that are problematic. From unsteady gait to what I call a "foggy brain" and the last thing someone with dementia needs is an unsteady gait and a foggy brain. And there are other side effects as well. (google or ask the pharmacist what the common side effects are for the medication your husband is taking)
My mom was also about 4pm. Her doc prescribed Seroquel which helped her tremendously. It does not work for everyone. Mom started with only 12.5 mg a day at 4. The dosage was very low so did not have a zombie effect on her. It helped her to relax and sleep better.
Check with his doctor and ask for a script for something to help. Remember it is always trial and error, unfortunately, to find a med that will work.
Have you given any thought to Memory Care for your DH? Dementia/AD can reach a point where the behaviors and issues he's having are killing YOU. You may want to look into placement for him at some point, which becomes necessary for a huge number of spouses/people in your position. Mom lived in Memory Care AL for nearly 3 years and had loving caregivers who went above and beyond in caring for her. Hospice was wonderful, too, when they were needed in the last 2 months of her life.
We have a poster here who swore up down & around that a Richway Biomat Mini heating pad type of gadget with amethyst crystals helped his mother TREMENDOUSLY with her Sundowning. Turned her from a lion into a kitten as soon as she would lie down on it. They are quite expensive but you can rent one to try it out, or rent it long term, even. Go Google Richway Biomat Mini Rentals in ___________your area and see what comes up. I have no firsthand experience with this pad, but always like to pass on the info in case it helps someone with their loved one.
I suggest you read this 33 page booklet (a free download) if you haven't already, which has THE best information ever about managing dementia and what to expect with an elder who's been diagnosed with it:
Understanding the Dementia Experience, by Jennifer Ghent-Fuller
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/210580
The article addresses sleep issues with dementia/AD and has lots of good suggestions for dealing with it.
Wishing you the best of luck with a difficult situation.
There are other things that might help as well.
Increase the lighting in the rooms where he is.
Use LED lighting as it can be a brighter light and fewer shadows.
Close blinds, drapes so you do not get a reflection in the windows that will make it look like a mirror. (My Husband would wave at his reflection thinking it was someone on the outside looking in.)
Keep on a schedule.
Keep him busy so he is tired in the evening.
Try to limit or eliminate naps later in the day.
If he is getting agitated at this time try to reassure him that he is safe, if possible try to redirect by giving him a task to do.
I read your profile and you mention that the doctor has prescribed "sleeping pills" but they do not work consistently. Have you informed the doctor about this and what is going on? There are other medications that might work better than a "sleeping pill". Many sleep aids have adverse side effects that are problematic. From unsteady gait to what I call a "foggy brain" and the last thing someone with dementia needs is an unsteady gait and a foggy brain. And there are other side effects as well. (google or ask the pharmacist what the common side effects are for the medication your husband is taking)
Check with his doctor and ask for a script for something to help. Remember it is always trial and error, unfortunately, to find a med that will work.