If you care for a loved one with dementia, you may experience a noticeable change in your loved one’s behavior in the evening hours. As the sun begins to set, your loved one may act in ways that are out of character for them. This behavior change is referred to commonly as sundowning.
Sundowning is a group of symptoms – including agitation, restlessness, irritability, and confusion – that can occur in someone with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia as daylight begins to fade. Sundowning typically starts around dinnertime and continues into the night. Although the exact reason why sundowning happens is not known, researchers believe it’s a disruption in circadian rhythms— in other words, a disruption to a person’s natural body clock. Circadian rhythms signal when to wake up and to sleep at night. When this is disrupted, it can be both irritating and frustrating, which is acted out through their behaviors.
As unique as the individuals themselves, behaviors can range. However, some of the most common symptoms of sundowning include:
Often, if a person has poor eyesight or difficulty hearing, these behaviors are compounded. The duration of these symptoms can stop abruptly, fade over time, or change. There are no clear predictors to the sundowning behavior. But as a caregiver, you are not alone. Sundowning is not a simple condition, but it is a common occurrence that many caregiver struggle with during their course of caring for a loved one.
Because individuals with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia can become easily disoriented, they are often more susceptible to sundowning and the challenging behaviors associated with it. While the exact cause of sundowning is unknown, some factors tend to worsen symptoms. These aggravating factors can include:
A variety of factors can worsen an individual’s symptoms, however there are proven methods for minimizing sundowning behavior. Paying attention to what is aggravating the individual’s symptoms can help you decide which of the following caregiver tips is most appropriate.
A dawn simulator is a user-friendly and affordable way to help reset a person’s circadian rhythms by signaling the start and end of their day with increasing and decreasing light intensity.
Establish a regular and habitual routine every day. People with memory loss find comfort in a daily routine, which can help start the day and, more importantly, signal when it’s nighttime.
Whether it is sunny or overcast, exposure to natural light will help set their internal clock.
Focus on getting your loved one the best night’s sleep possible by reducing stimulants in the evening, avoiding caffeine and alcohol, and establishing a calming bedtime ritual.
Consult with your loved one’s doctor about their evening sundowning issues, especially if these have come on quickly. You want to rule out if there is an underlying issue causing these symptoms.
Aegis Living has over two decades of experience in memory care and caring for people with advanced dementia. We can offer your loved one a stable routine, exercise during the day, mental stimulation, and support in comfortable surroundings to help alleviate the symptoms of sundowning. Contact your local Aegis Living community to find out how we can help your loved one.
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.