If your loved one has dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, it's common for them to experience changes in behavior. However, if they seem especially different in the evening hours, their actions could be attributed to a condition known as sundowning. It’s important to recognize when your loved one is exhibiting signs of this so that they can receive the right home care. The following guide explains what causes it and provides tips for managing the symptoms.

What Is Sundowning?

Rather than a specific medical diagnosis, sundowning is considered to be a group of symptoms that generally occur as the day transitions into night. People enduring sundowner’s syndrome will go through a behavioral shift that can showcase a wide range of disruptive reactions. 

Symptoms may include agitation, confusion, hallucinations, extreme anxiety, disorientation, restlessness, and suspicion. They might also have rapid mood swings, begin shadowing caregivers, hide objects, or wander off.

Sundowning can be triggered by several factors that are hard for someone with dementia or Alzheimer’s to cope with. Examples of these are fatigue, shadows caused by low light, dehydration, depression, boredom, internal imbalance, and caffeine or alcohol consumption before bed. 

Fortunately, there are techniques that family members and home care professionals can use to limit the severity of sundowning symptoms. Maintaining a consistent routine throughout the day is key, as people with memory loss find this comforting. It’s also helpful for them to go on frequent walks outside with a home care professional and to stay properly fed and hydrated.