A patient with stage 2 Alzheimer’s disease becomes very agitated in the evenings

1 -- therapy, massage, art therapy, sound, and dance are all alternative therapies that have been helpful in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. Though the use of anti-anxiety agents and tranquilizers might be helpful, this is not a true nursing intervention. Stage 2 with increased agitation in the evenings is part of the “sundowner’s” phenomenon, and, although common, can be frustrating to the patient as well as his or her caregivers. A quiet environment with less stimulation is often helpful. If the patient is not a danger to him- or herself or others, there would be no indication that a more secure environment would be the best intervention.