Sundown syndrome is a phenomenon where an individual suffering from cognitive impairment or dementia experiences confusion and agitation around the time when the sun begins to set. There is an association between this agitation and confusion with dementia sufferers’ internal biological clock. Our internal clock controls waking and sleeping, affects how active we are at various times of the day, and works to influence changes in the body that help regulate behavior. Studies indicate that people with dementia experience changes with their biological clock, which can make them prone to sundown syndrome. In order to minimize symptoms, it is important to find out if there is anything particular that is causing the irritability or hostility. If there is no obvious source, researchers have found that placing a full-spectrum fluorescent lamp near the individual suffering from sundown syndrome can help get his or her biological clock on track.
See Laurie Udesky, How To Deal with Signs of Sundown Syndrome, Caring.com, February 26, 2018.
