You may be wondering, What is Sundowning? Does dinnertime prompt a behavior change in your older parent? It’s probably not your cooking. As a caregiver for a family member with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, you may be facing some behavioral changes that you don’t understand or may be out of character for them, starting in the evening. This is referred to as sundowning. It’s a marked change in behavior or state of confusion in someone with dementia that seems to be triggered by the fading light outside. Although the exact science of why this occurs is still unknown, many researchers believe that dementia disrupts a person’s natural body clock (circadian rhythms) that signals them when to wake or sleep.
The behaviors associated with sundowning are unique to each individual and can change as the disease progresses. Here are a few examples of some of the behaviors that we have experienced in our years of working with memory care residents at Aegis Living:
To manage sundowning, Aegis Living has integrated light therapy programs into our memory care communities. In select communities, residents receive a dawn simulator in their apartment to help reset circadian rhythms. It can provide a natural start to their day and signal the end of the day. Our residents also benefit from a specific duration of specialized lighting in the dining area and a gradual decrease in light throughout the day to reset melatonin levels.
In our Aegis Living memory care communities, we have implemented light therapy with good results. Here are a few more tips that we have found to be helpful for caregivers:
If you are looking for a memory care community for your mom, our marketing directors are happy to schedule a tour and show you and your family the services we offer our residents at Aegis Living.
Respite Stays & Day Stays give family caregivers a real break—hours, days, or a few weeks—while your loved one enjoys a safe, enriching short‑term home at Aegis Living. Guests settle into a beautifully furnished private apartment and have 24/7 care staff and onsite nurses, medication management, and discreet safety technology (motion sensors, medical‑alert pendants, visitor check‑in) for peace of mind. Each day feels purposeful with chef‑prepared, all‑day dining and 200+ monthly activities—from book clubs and fitness classes to movie nights—plus full use of the community. We coordinate with your loved one’s physicians to mirror their routines and care, so the stay feels familiar. It’s also a smart trial run for senior living: meet neighbors, test services, and see what supported independence looks like—without a long‑term commitment. Choose a Respite Stay when you’re traveling or need time to recharge, when your loved one would benefit from structure, social connection, and great meals, or when you both want peace of mind while keeping options open.
Hospice & End‑of‑Life Care at Aegis Living is comfort‑first support for the final stage of life, delivered in your loved one’s private apartment by our 24/7 care team in coordination with a trusted local hospice provider you choose (or we can recommend). Together, we create a coordinated care plan that manages pain and other symptoms, oversees medications, and provides calm, dignified help with daily needs, while offering compassionate emotional support for both resident and family. Discreet safety measures and a reliable medical‑alert system bring help quickly; chef‑prepared, in‑apartment meals adapt to changing appetites. Families are guided through decisions and moments of closure so they can focus on being present in a peaceful, home‑like setting. If your loved one already lives at Aegis, they can remain in the comfort of their home, avoiding disruptive moves. Choose this level of care when curative treatment is no longer the goal and you want expert symptom control, hands‑on daily support, and a setting that protects dignity and prioritizes comfort, meaning, and time together.
Memory Care is specialized, secure support for people living with Alzheimer’s or other dementias who benefit from a calm, structured environment and round‑the‑clock expertise. At Aegis Living, that care happens in Life’s Neighborhood—an intimate, thoughtfully designed setting where 24/7 dementia‑trained caregivers and a nursing team on site seven days a week deliver personalized help with daily living, medication management, and mobility (including Hoyer lifts and two‑person transfers), while gently redirecting agitation and confusion. Days are purpose‑filled with science‑based cognitive programming, certified music therapy, and social activities; chef‑prepared meals are easy to enjoy and dining spaces and cues are designed for memory support. Discreet safety features like secured entrances, emergency pendants with fall detection, and optional motion sensors, prevent wandering and bring peace of mind, and visiting physicians and wellness professionals reduce trips off‑site. Families receive education and ongoing support. If your loved one is unsafe alone, missing medications, wandering, needs frequent cueing or hands‑on help with bathing or dressing, or thrives with a predictable routine, Memory Care offers the right level of care. For milder needs, our transitional Assisted Living can be a first step; for advancing symptoms, secured Memory Care provides the specialized, heartfelt support to help them feel calm, connected, and at home.