Reverse Sundowners Syndrome, We asked an expert your questions about sleep and sundowning. Learn how to soothe distress in the evening. Anyone else experience this? Sundowning is the name for a group of behaviors, feelings and thoughts people who have Alzheimer's or dementia can experience as the sun sets. Discover 9 expert-backed Sundown Syndrome Treatment strategies to reduce evening agitation in persons with dementia and support calmer routines. What to know about sundowners and sundown syndrome, including the symptoms, treatments, and causes of the condition and how it relates to dementia. In this article, we discuss the signs and treatments for dogs with sundowners. Explore sundowning behavior in dementia patients, including causes, symptoms, and effective management strategies for caregivers and healthcare professionals. It's a Sometimes a person with dementia will behave in ways that are difficult to understand in the late afternoon or early evening. Sundowning Sundowning, or sundown syndrome, prevalent among people with some form of dementia, is characterized by increased confusion and restlessness beginning in the late afternoon and early evening. Learn more about Sundowner’s Syndrome in dementia, why it occurs, signs and symptoms of the condition. It is characterized by increased confusion, agitation, and other behavioral changes during the late afternoon or evening. Clinically referred to as Sundown Syndrome or “sundowning,” the condition can be distressing to patients and caregivers. Know there are methods for alleviating some of the stress both of you may feel by helping your loved one cope with their symptoms. Therefore Overview Sundowners Syndrome can be a challenging experience for individuals with dementia, often marked by increased confusion, agitation, and behavioral changes, especially during the late afternoon and evening. Sullen and defiant would be the best descriptors. What is sundowner’s syndrome? Sundowner’s syndrome, sometimes called sundowning, is a common symptom of Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. , Alzheimer disease), in the late afternoon or towards the end of the day. That’s the nature of dementia, not a reflection of your caregiving. Its prevalence ranges from 1. While it is never fun to see your loved one confused and scared, there are some concrete things we can do to help! “Sundowning syndrome” refers to the evening decline in mental state among cognitively impaired patients. Managing an elder with Sundown Syndrome can be enriching, and undeniably frustrating. Sundown syndrome, also known as sundowning, is a condition often seen in people with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. However, this delirium can potentially occur at any time, not just at sunset. 6% to 66% of patients with dementia. In general, sundown syndrome is characterized by the emergence or increment of neuropsychiatric symptoms such as agitation, confusion, anxiety, and aggressiveness in late afternoon, in the evening, or at night. This is known as 'Sundowning'. Sundowner’s syndrome, or sundowning, is a group of symptoms that occur in someone with memory loss that can start around late afternoon and continue into the night. Learn to manage this condition effectively. When caring for a loved one with Sundowners Syndrome, you may feel at a loss for what to do or say. Some days and evenings will still be really hard. Learn more Sundowner's Syndrome by reading our 10 sleep tips. Also known as late-day confusion, sundowners syndrome or sundown syndr Sep 4, 2025 · To help manage sundowning, keep a regular schedule and avoid alcohol and caffeine in the evening. Sundowner’s syndrome describes the late-day or evening emergence of symptoms such as agitation, increased confusion, wandering, disorientation, aggression, and anxiety. Nobody will tell you this gets easy. Sundowner’s Syndrome affects people in the mid to late stages of Alzheimer’s disease and related forms of dementia, often bringing distress in the evening hours to both patient and caregiver alike. Sundowners syndrome is a common condition that Alzheimer's patients and caregivers deal with. Apr 3, 2006 · Sundowning can happen at any time of the day. Sundowner’s syndrome occurs in people with dementia and has a considerable effect on caretakers. Sundowning also can lead to pacing or wandering. Discover 13 Essential Tips for Family Caregivers Dealing with Sundowners. Read our guide to know the causes, prevention and treatment of sundowning and If you are caring for someone that experiences sundowning, there are various ways to minimize the behaviors during this challenging part of the day. But did you know that the whole concept of sundowning is somewhat controversial? When it comes to treating and managing sundowning symptoms, the first step is to confirm that it is, in fact, sundowners syndrome and not delirium.