How to Help Someone With Dementia During Sundowning
Sundowning in dementia is a common late-day pattern where confusion, anxiety, restlessness, agitation, pacing, or wandering becomes worse around sunset or early evening. It may be linked to disrupted sleep-wake rhythms, reduced evening light, fatigue, boredom, overstimulation, or underactivity during the day. Caregivers can help by turning on lights before rooms become dim, reducing shadows, keeping the environment calm and quiet, using gentle reassurance, avoiding arguments, and redirecting the person to familiar soothing activities such as music, conversation, or looking through photos. Moderate daytime activity and limiting long daytime naps may also help reduce evening restlessness, though sundowning may not disappear completely.