Sundowning (sometimes referred to as Sundowner’s syndrome) describes a pattern of increased confusion, restlessness or distress that some people living with dementia may experience in the late afternoon or evening. These changes often appear as the day draws to a close, which is how the term came about.
Not everyone with dementia will experience sundowning. For those who do, the experience can feel confusing or overwhelming. At Aria Care, we take a gentle, person-led approach to understanding what might be contributing to someone’s feelings at this time of day, so we can support them with comfort and reassurance.
Sundowning can look different for each person, but common signs may include:
These expressions are often a person’s way of communicating discomfort, tiredness, overwhelm, or a need for reassurance.
There is no single cause of sundowning. Instead, several factors may contribute to how a person feels towards the end of the day. Understanding these factors helps us provide thoughtful, calm, and tailored support.
Many people living with dementia experience changes to the brain’s internal body clock, which can affect sleep patterns and increase feelings of disorientation as daylight fades.
Lower light levels in the evening can also make shadows appear stronger or spaces feel unfamiliar, which may heighten sensitivity to noise or movement around them.
How Aria Care Helps
By late afternoon, many people simply feel tired – physically, mentally or emotionally. Fatigue may make it harder to process information or communicate needs.
How Aria Care Helps
We recognise when someone is becoming tired and gently adjust the pace of the day, offering calm activities, quieter environments, or time to rest.
As the day fades, it may become harder for someone to recognise where they are, who is nearby, or what is happening next. This can understandably cause worry or unease.
How Aria Care Helps
Our teams work closely with each resident to understand their individual history, preferences and communication style. This helps us tailor support respectfully and sensitively. Our approach includes:
Food and evening routines
Our chefs prepare nutritious, balanced meals, and we avoid caffeine or heavy meals later in the day to support relaxation and better sleep. For residents who prefer familiar foods, we love incorporating their favourite dishes, shared by them or their loved ones, into our menus.
We also pay careful attention to the presentation of modified diets to ensure dignity and enjoyment at every mealtime.
“One of our residents tends to become noticeably more agitated and starts wandering around the lounge in the late afternoon. We noticed this tends to happen when the TV is on with loud, fast-moving programmes, and there are multiple staff members moving quickly through the room during shift change. The combination of sensory overload, a noisy environment, and the disruption of her usual routine seems to unsettle her. By providing a quieter space, lowering background noise, and gently engaging her in a familiar activity like looking through her favourite photo album, we’ve been able to help her feel calmer and reduce these sundowning episodes.” – Aria Care, Dementia Lead
Some medicines taken for dementia or other conditions may have side effects that influence evening confusion or restlessness.
Our Aria nursing teams review each person’s medication regularly, working alongside external healthcare professionals to ensure treatments remain appropriate. Our digital care systems help us monitor changes quickly and respond safely.
There is no single “treatment” for sundowning, because each person’s needs are unique. Effective support typically involves:
Sundowning can feel distressing for the individual and those who care about them. Our role is to offer reassurance, connection and compassionate expertise, ensuring every person feels safe, understood and valued.
At Aria Care, we specialise in supporting people living with dementia, including those who experience sundowning. Our teams use empathy, expertise and thoughtful personalised strategies to promote comfort and wellbeing at every stage of the day.
If you are exploring dementia care for yourself or someone you love, we warmly invite you to visit your local Aria Care community. Our teams would be delighted to meet you and guide you through the support we can provide.
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