What Is Sundowning and How Can It Affect a Loved One with Dementia?

Dementia affects individuals from all walks of life. It can develop early iin life (when you are in your fifties, for example), or it can develop latear in life (which is more common). And it sometimes includes unusual or surprising symptoms or behaviors. And with some forms of dementia (especially Alzheimer’s), affected loved ones may experience what’s referred to as sundowning.

In short, it’s a reference to the late afternoon or early evening when the sun sets (the exact time varies depending on what time of year it is) when cognitive impairment is more noticeable. It can be difficult to work with an older loved one during this time of the day. Below, you’ll learn more about sundowning and how it can affect a loved one with dementia — and what can be done about it.

Photo by julien Tromeur on Unsplash

What Exactly is Sundowning?

Also referred to as sundowning syndrome, sundowning refers to an increase in agitation that can affect someone with dementia when the sun goes down. Symptoms or behaviors suggesting your loved one with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia may have sundowning include:

• Pacing or walking around a room repeatedly
• Rocking in a chair repeatedly when this isn’t a normal habit
• Wandering
• Violence
• Following a caregiver very closely, everywhere they go
• Crying for no clear reason
• Not being able to take a nap or sleep later
• Yelling
• Sadness
• Anxiety
• Fear
• Agitation
• Irritability
• Confusion
• Delusions and hallucinations

What Causes Sundowning?

Sundowning is caused by a change from light to dark (or when there is a lack of natural light from the sun). It’s believed that the change from day to evening and night causes confusion in the brain of people with dementia.

One theory is that the brain has difficulty processing changes in natural light later in the day due to nerve damage and how nerves travel in the brain. Sundowning can also be triggered or worsened due to medication issues, drowsiness, illness, or advanced stages of dementia when an individual isn’t aware of the time of day.

What Can Be Done About It?

Sundowning is sometimes treated with medication. It can also help to make sure your loved one with dementia gets sufficient sleep. Also, keep activities to a minimum during sundowning phases. For instance, try not to have meals when the sun is setting.

Or you can place familiar objects around them, or offer reassurances. It can also be helpful to keep lights on as the sun goes down to make the change of light less noticeable. Some people with dementia may benefit from music or art therapy to help ease sundowning symptoms.