10/07/2026
Sundowning: when late afternoon gets harder.
Many families see it. A loved one who was fine at lunch becomes restless, confused, irritable, or agitated as the daylight starts to fade. It has a name, sundowning, and it is common enough that the National Institute on Aging has a whole tip sheet on it. Being worn out by the end of the day is one of the biggest contributors, and fading light does not help.
Three things families try. Keep afternoons calm, with fewer visitors and errands late in the day. Turn lamps on before the room gets dim so there are fewer shadows to make sense of. Keep the same routine every day: the same wake time, the same meals, the same bedtime. And if sundowning is new, or came on suddenly, tell the doctor. A sudden change is worth a conversation.
Kristy Blocker is a geriatric specialist who builds lifestyle care plans for families in Placer County and beyond. Questions? Reach out. We are here to help.
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