What is Sundowning? Understanding Late-Day Confusion for Dementia

At Visiting Angels Jacksonville, an important part of our dementia home care services is knowing how to handle sundowning episodes. Learn more about sundowning, why it happens, and tips for dealing with it.

What is Sundowning in Dementia?

Many people living with dementia experience sundowning, which is characterized by increased agitation and confusion after dusk. While the causes of sundowning are not entirely clear, it's among the most common issues for individuals with dementia, as well as their families.

What Causes Sundowning?

To manage instances of sundowning, it helps to understand some of the triggers for sundowning episodes.

• Sundowning episodes are more common when the person is already stressed, or when their environment creates stress and anxiety.
• Exhaustion makes instances of sundowning more common, and when these instances happen, they can be more severe.
• Individuals with dementia rely on regular routines. Disrupting these routines can increase the likelihood and impact of sundowning.

By understanding these triggers, you can take steps to limit the risk of sundowning episodes and mitigate their impact when they occur.

Tips for Dealing with Sundowning

If you have a family member who's living with dementia, it helps to be prepared for instances of sundowning. Below, we've compiled some of the strategies you can use to limit these episodes and their severity.

One of the most important steps you can take is to create a calming environment, especially later in the day. Avoid overstimulating your loved one and find ways to make their evenings as stress-free as possible. Also, keep in mind that your nonverbal behaviors may trigger anxiety in your loved one if you are angry, frustrated, or stressed. Keeping yourself relaxed and calm can help do the same for your loved one.

In addition to actions you can take around sundown, there are also steps that you can take during the day to help your loved one avoid exhaustion. Avoid overloading them with too many activities in a single day, and try to schedule intensive activities in the morning.

Finally, see if you can keep track of what triggers sundowning episodes and what helps your loved one relax when these episodes occur. This way, you'll have a better sense of your loved one's personal triggers and the best ways to manage these episodes.