Sundowning (dementia)

Sundowning is when people with dementia get more confused and agitated in the late afternoon or evening. Imagine you're at a friend's house for a fun sleepover. At first, you're having a great time playing games and telling stories. But as the night goes on and it gets closer to bedtime, you start to feel tired and grumpy. You might start crying or yelling for no reason because you're just so tired and don't know how to handle your feelings. That's kind of what sundowning is like for people with dementia. Their brains get tired and overwhelmed, and they don't know how to react to their emotions, so they get upset and confused. It can be hard for them and the people around them, but we can try to be patient and understanding and help them feel safe and calm.