We often see the challenging behaviors of Sundowners Syndrome in the late afternoon or early evening as the light outside begins to change. Light has long been a signal to humans that the time of day is changing. It seems to be hardwired into us to adapt our activities as the light changes; for example, when it gets dark outside itโs time to go to bed, or go home from work, or come inside.
So, itโs not surprising that lighting changes could be a trigger for sundowning. The problem is that someone living with dementia or other health conditions may not be able to adapt or interpret changes in light.
Some experts also theorize that our hormones and body clocks are regulated by exposure to light, and that when light is limited it throws us off โ this may be why many people struggle in the winter when days are shorter, and they experience less sunlight.
The lack of light can also cause depression, or low levels of the natural Vitamin D that we get from sunlight.
Someone living with dementia who also has visual impairment may also be confused by shadows that can accompany decreased lighting.
For all of these potential reasons, my tip #6 is:
Adjust Lighting
- If adequate exposure to direct sunlight isnโt possible, try therapeutic lights or a lightbox at strategic times of day and use bright lights in the room.
- As it gets dark outside, increase indoor lighting.
- You might even increase outdoor lighting. For my Dad (who had Alzheimerโs), during the shorter winter days, I would often turn on the bright back porch lights outside our dining-room window, which helped prevent Dad from thinking it was already bedtime as it got dark outside.
- Try different types of light bulbs that have different lighting hues. I like a warmer, more soothing "relaxed" light hue, but some may respond to a brighter light. At the same time be aware that too much blue light exposure close to bedtime may impair sleep later.
- Try to avoid a darker room until you really want your loved ones to start calming down and preparing for sleep.
- Study up on the effects of too much "blue light" late in the day and the effect on sleep patterns. Turn down the light on phones and computer screens, adjust it to a warmer color, and consider curtailing screen time and television in the hour before bedtime to help ensure better sleep at night.
Tell us how you deal with lighting changes of Sundowners Syndrome in the comments below!
Take care,
Amy Goyer, AARP Family & Caregiving Expert
Author, Juggling Life, Work and Caregiving
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