Sundowner’s Syndrome

Dear Suze Q. My mother’s been diagnosed with dementia. Her confusion and anxiety worsen in late afternoon and evening when she starts pacing and wandering. How can I help?

Dear Helpful, Sundowning gets its name for the time of day when some dementia patients experience increased confusion and restlessness often because of fatigue, disruption of one’s “internal clock” with dimming light and increased shadows, and other stresses on an aging body (hunger, thirst, pain, boredom, disrupted routine). To help: plenty of light during the day, stick to routines and schedules, limit caffeine and sugars to mornings, calmness and tranquility throughout everything, and as the caregiver -the patience of a saint. -SQ