What is sundowning?

Dementia can cause an individual to behave differently. Sometimes these behaviours are outside what we class as ‘normal’. Sundowning refers to changes in behaviour (often related to anxiety and agitation) that happen in the evening. It often starts in the late afternoon (at dusk) and continues late into the night. This is why it is called ‘Sundowning’.

What are the signs of sundowning?

The behaviours that manifest during sundowning can vary from person to person. Often the individual might become anxious or agitated. They may express the feeling that they are in the wrong place or tell you that they need to go home (despite already being at home). Similarly they may find it difficult to recognise familiar people or understand what is going on