By lunchtime, Mom seems like herself. She’s enjoying a conversation, sharing a laugh, or going about her familiar routine. But as the afternoon fades into evening, something changes.

She becomes restless. She asks the same questions repeatedly. Maybe she insists she needs to go home, even though she’s already there. You try to reassure her, but nothing seems to help.

If this sounds familiar, you may be witnessing a common experience among people living with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia known as sundowning.

And as fall brings shorter days and earlier sunsets, it’s an especially important time to understand what’s happening, what may be contributing to it, and how you can help someone you love feel more comfortable.

What Is Sundowning in Dementia?

Sundowning refers to a pattern of increased confusion, anxiety, restlessness, or agitation that often begins in the late afternoon or evening.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, symptoms can include:

• Increased anxiety, irritability, or confusion
• Restlessness, pacing, or difficulty settling down
• Repeated questions or expressions of fear
• Disorientation or difficulty recognizing familiar surroundings
• Changes in sleep patterns or increased wakefulness at night

Not everyone living with dementia experiences sundowning, and symptoms vary from person to person. It isn’t a separate disease, but rather a pattern of symptoms that can accompany dementia.

For family caregivers, these changes can be particularly difficult because a loved one who seemed comfortable earlier in the day may suddenly appear frightened, frustrated, or unsettled.

Understanding that these behaviors may be related to changes in the brain, rather than something your loved one can control, is an important first step toward responding with patience and compassion.

Why Shorter Days Can Make Evenings More Challenging

As autumn settles into Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia, daylight hours gradually decrease. When daylight saving time ends, darkness arrives even earlier by the clock.

For someone living with dementia, changes in lighting and daily rhythms can create additional challenges.

Researchers haven’t identified a single cause of sundowning, but several factors may contribute:

• Changes in the body’s internal clock. Dementia can disrupt the natural sleep-wake cycle, making it harder to distinguish between daytime and nighttime.
• Increased shadows and reduced lighting. As daylight fades, shadows and unfamiliar visual patterns may become confusing or frightening.
• Physical and mental fatigue. By late afternoon, the effort of navigating everyday activities may leave someone feeling tired or overwhelmed.
• Unmet physical or emotional needs. Hunger, thirst, pain, discomfort, or overstimulation can contribute to agitation.

Although shorter days don’t necessarily cause sundowning, seasonal changes in light and routine may make some of these challenges more noticeable.

The good news is that there are practical steps you can take to help make evenings more comfortable.

Five Ways to Help a Loved One Experiencing Sundowning

You may not be able to prevent every difficult evening, but small, thoughtful adjustments can make a meaningful difference.

1. Bring Light Into Their Day

Encourage opportunities for natural daylight, especially in the morning and early afternoon. A walk outside, sitting on a sunny porch, or simply spending time near a bright window may help support a more consistent daily rhythm.

As evening approaches, turn on indoor lights before rooms become dark. Reducing shadows and maintaining comfortable, even lighting can help limit visual confusion.

2. Keep Daily Routines Familiar

For someone living with dementia, knowing what comes next can be reassuring.

Try to maintain regular times for waking, meals, activities, and bedtime. Schedule more demanding tasks, such as appointments or bathing, earlier in the day when your loved one may be more alert.

As we explored in our earlier article, How Structure and Routine Reduce Anxiety in Dementia, familiar patterns can help create a greater sense of stability and comfort.

3. Make Evenings a Time to Unwind

Late afternoon and evening may not be the best time for a busy schedule, loud television, or unfamiliar activities.

Instead, create opportunities for quiet connection. Listen to familiar music, look through family photographs, share a favorite story, or simply sit together.

Sometimes, the most comforting thing you can offer is your presence.

4. Look for What Your Loved One May Be Trying to Communicate

When someone living with dementia becomes agitated, it’s natural to focus on stopping the behavior.

But consider what might be causing their discomfort.

Are they hungry? Tired? In pain? Do they need to use the bathroom? Could a noisy room or unfamiliar shadow be making them uneasy?

Pay attention to what happens before an episode and look for patterns.

Rather than correcting or arguing with a loved one who is confused, acknowledge their feelings and offer gentle reassurance. Helping someone feel understood can be more useful than trying to convince them that their perception is wrong.

5. Know When to Ask for Help

If sundowning symptoms become frequent, worsen, or begin affecting your loved one’s safety or sleep, talk with their healthcare provider.

Pain, infections, medication effects, and other treatable conditions can contribute to changes in behavior. Sudden or significant changes in confusion should receive prompt medical evaluation rather than being assumed to be sundowning.

You don’t have to figure everything out on your own. Healthcare professionals and dementia care specialists can help you better understand your loved one’s needs and explore appropriate support.

When Is It Time to Consider Memory Care?

Some evenings, you may feel like you’ve tried everything.

You’ve answered the same question countless times. You’ve offered reassurance, adjusted the lighting, played familiar music, and done everything you know to help your loved one feel safe.

But the confusion continues. The restlessness grows. And by the time the house finally settles, you’re physically and emotionally exhausted.

Tomorrow, you’ll do it all again.

Caring for someone with dementia can be one of the greatest expressions of love. It can also be one of the most difficult experiences a family ever faces.

You may feel frustrated, then guilty for feeling frustrated. You’re losing sleep, juggling responsibilities, and worrying about your loved one’s safety. You wonder whether you’re doing enough, even when you’re giving everything you have.

And somewhere along the way, you may find that you’re spending so much time being a caregiver that you have little energy left to simply be a daughter, son, or spouse.

Perhaps it’s time to ask a different question.

Instead of “How can I keep doing this?” what if you asked, “What support would help my loved one feel safe and comfortable while allowing us to enjoy more meaningful time together?”

There’s no single symptom that means someone needs residential memory care. But when confusion becomes more frequent, safety concerns grow, or caregiving begins affecting your own well-being, exploring additional support may be the next step.

As you consider memory care options, ask questions that matter to your family:

• How do caregivers respond when residents become confused or agitated in the evening?
• How is care personalized to each resident’s needs, preferences, and familiar routines?
• What support is available overnight, and how are families kept informed?

The answers can help you find a community where your loved one receives the attention and compassionate care they deserve.

Finding Support at The Village at Allandale

At The Village at Allandale in Kingsport, Tennessee, we believe memory care begins with understanding the person behind the diagnosis.

Our two secure memory care communities, Yesterday’s Place and Virginia’s Garden, offer individualized support in a welcoming, familiar environment. Our caregivers take time to learn each resident’s personal history, preferences, and routines, helping create a sense of comfort and belonging while encouraging independence wherever possible.

Whether you’re just beginning to notice changes or facing increasingly difficult days and nights, our team is here to listen, answer questions, and help you explore the options available to your family.

Because sometimes, getting the right support means having more opportunities to simply enjoy being together again.

Wondering whether memory care could help your loved one? Explore our memory care services or schedule a personal tour to meet our team and learn how personalized care can support your family.