If you are caring for a loved one with dementia or Alzheimer’s, you may have already noticed that their behavior can shift as the day goes on. Maybe they become more restless in the late afternoon, more confused in the evening, or harder to calm down at night. This is known as sundowning, and for many families, summer makes it significantly worse.

You are not imagining it. And you are not alone.

What Is Sundowning?

Sundowning is a term used to describe a pattern of increased confusion, agitation, anxiety, and behavioral changes that tend to occur in the late afternoon and evening hours in people living with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. It does not happen to everyone, but it is very common, and it can be one of the most exhausting parts of caregiving.

During sundowning episodes, your loved one may become more suspicious, emotional, or difficult to redirect. They may pace, repeat questions, resist care, or become upset for reasons that are hard to identify. For the family caregiver watching this happen day after day, it can feel heartbreaking and overwhelming in equal measure.

Why Summer Makes Sundowning Harder

Summer brings longer days, more sunlight, and rising temperatures, and all of these factors can intensify sundowning symptoms in people with dementia.

The brain of someone with dementia already struggles to regulate the internal body clock, called the circadian rhythm. Bright evening sunlight throws off the natural cues the brain uses to understand what time of day it is. When it is still light outside at 8 p.m., a person with dementia may become more disoriented about whether it is morning or night, which can trigger or worsen sundowning episodes earlier and with more intensity.

Heat adds another layer of difficulty. Older adults are more vulnerable to dehydration and heat-related symptoms, and even mild dehydration can increase confusion and agitation in someone with dementia. The heat can also disrupt sleep, and poor sleep almost always makes cognitive symptoms worse the next day. Here in the Daytona Beach area, where summer temperatures and humidity are significant, this is something families need to be especially aware of.

Signs That Summer Sundowning Is Becoming Unmanageable

Every caregiver reaches a point where the strategies that used to work stop working. It is important to recognize when that is happening so you can get the right support in place.

Some signs that sundowning may be escalating include your loved one becoming more aggressive or physically resistant during evening care, wandering or attempting to leave the home after dark, extreme agitation that lasts for hours rather than minutes, and sleep disruption so significant that you as the caregiver are unable to get adequate rest yourself.

If any of these feel familiar, it is not a reflection of your caregiving. It is a signal that your loved one’s needs may have grown beyond what one person can manage alone.

Practical Ways to Help During Summer Months

There are things you can do at home to reduce the impact of summer on sundowning. Keeping the home cool and well shaded during the afternoon and evening hours can make a real difference. Encouraging regular hydration throughout the day, even when your loved one does not feel thirsty, helps prevent the confusion that dehydration can bring on.

Maintaining a consistent daily routine is one of the most powerful tools available to families caring for someone with dementia. Meals, activities, and bedtime at the same time each day give the brain familiar anchors. Blackout curtains in the bedroom can help signal that evening has arrived, even when the summer sun disagrees.

Calming activities in the late afternoon, like listening to familiar music, gentle conversation, or a short walk in the cooler morning hours, can help ease the transition into evening. Limiting stimulating activities, loud television, and busy environments during sundowning-prone hours can also reduce agitation.

When It Is Time to Consider Professional Dementia Care Support

Caring for someone with dementia at any stage is one of the most loving and demanding things a person can do. But loving someone deeply does not mean you have to do it without help. In fact, getting the right support often allows family caregivers to be more present, more patient, and more connected to their loved one.

At Onyx Home Care, we provide specialized dementia and Alzheimer’s care designed to support both the patient and the family around them. Our caregivers are trained to recognize and respond to sundowning behaviors with patience, skill, and genuine compassion. We understand that every person with dementia is different, and we take the time to learn what calms, comforts, and works for your loved one specifically.

In addition to dementia and Alzheimer’s care, we offer skilled home care, companion care, and personal care services, so families have access to the right level of support at every stage of the caregiving journey. Whether you need consistent daily help or just a few hours of relief during those difficult late afternoon hours, we are here.

You Do Not Have to Walk Alone

If summer has made things harder in your home, we hope this gives you some comfort and some practical steps forward. And if you find yourself wondering whether it is time to bring in some extra support, we would love to talk with you.

Onyx Home Care proudly serves families in the Daytona Beach area. Reach out to our team to learn more about how we can help your family this summer and beyond.