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Dementia and Sundowning

Expert advice on sundowning, as our research highlights increased search interest.
 

Your health expert: Fran Vandelli, Dementia Lead, Bupa Care Services
Publish date 05/03/2025.
Next review 12/03/2028.

Fran Vandelli, Dementia Lead, Bupa Care Services, explores online search trends around sundowning and practical steps to care for affected loved ones.

What is sundowning?

Our sundowning and dementia research

Our research shows more people are recognising how dementia symptoms can change throughout the day, particularly in the evening.

Between 2021 and 2024

  • What triggers sundowning?
    Searches became 7 times higher
  • What is sundowning?
    Searches have tripled
  • Medications that cause sundowning
    Searches have doubled

During autumn and winter, some find that their loved one's sundowning symptoms worsen. It's thought that the lack of natural light during these seasons may make it especially difficult for people affected, leading to increased anxiety and confusion than other times of the year.

Sundowning behaviours to look out for

Recognising the signs of sundowning is essential for caregivers to provide effective support. Key behaviours to look out for include:

What triggers sundowning?

Dementia expert's tips for managing sundowning

If a loved one is experiencing sundowning symptoms, there are a few ways you can help to manage their distress. As we don't yet understand everything about this behaviour, there's no clear formula to ease symptoms for all. It may be a case of trial and error to adapt what your loved one needs at that time.

What's the best way to prevent sundowning?

There isn't a clearcut way to prevent sundowning. Everyone affected by it is different and may have different triggers. Trying out some of the following sundowning prevention techniques might offer you and your loved one some peace:

The toll of sundowning on caregivers

Watching a loved one experience sundowning symptoms can be difficult. Being a carer can affect your mental and physical health. Alongside helping your loved one, it's important to recognise the signs of carer burnout and take the time to offload and recuperate.

If you're struggling to balance caring alongside your other responsibilities, remember that there is support and advice available to you. From speaking to trusted friends and family, to contacting charities, there are outlets to help you make sense of what you're going through.

You might want to consider respite care to give your loved one chance to receive professional care, and so that you can catch up with errands or self-care.

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