Do you notice a change in your elderly parents’ mood whenever it’s close to dinnertime? They may be showing signs of sundowning.

What is Sundowning?

Sundowning refers to a condition wherein certain people, usually the elderly, experience confusion. This state happens in the late afternoon and well into the night. Behavioral changes associated with sundowning include confusion, anxiety, aggression, and being disoriented. It may also cause people to wander around and pace, often resulting in people getting lost.

It’s important to understand that sundowning is not a disease in itself, but a symptom of a more serious condition. It may affect people with dementia. However, the exact cause of the condition is unknown.

Most Common Examples of Sundowning Behavior

• Agitation
• Irritation or restlessness
• Anxiety
• Confusion about place, date and time
• Confusion about themselves and the people around them
• Pacing and wandering
• Suspicion about where they are and who the people around them are, even if these are family members or friends
• Aggression
• Overall bad mood
• Anger and yelling
• Hallucinations
• Demanding and irrational behavior

Factors that May Aggravate Sundowning

• Fatigue
• Low light
• Increased shadows
• Difficulty separating reality from dreams
• Disruption of the body’s internal clock
• Presence of infections, such as UTI (urinary tract infection)

Caring for an elderly parent who exhibits these sundowning symptoms can be difficult.

If you are interested in moving your parent to a facility, you may contact us at Blessed Home to schedule a tour and see all that we can offer your parent.