Supporting a family member with dementia can change with the seasons – especially during the winter months. Shorter days, darker afternoons and changes to daily routines can all contribute to a well-known behaviour called sundowning.
With the right knowledge and a calm environment, families can help reduce distress and create a more peaceful evening. At HC-One, our care homes use evidence-based approaches and person-centred care to support residents living with dementia throughout the year.
This guide explains what sundowning is, why symptoms can increase during winter, and how to create a soothing environment for someone living with dementia.
What is sundowning?
Sundowning refers to a pattern of increased confusion, restlessness or agitation that typically appears in the late afternoon or early evening. It is not a separate condition but a behavioural change linked to dementia, influenced by factors such as health, routine and environment.
Some individuals may become irritable or unsettled, while others may pace, become anxious or struggle to communicate their needs.
Causes and triggers
A range of factors can contribute to sundowning. Dementia can disrupt the body’s internal clock, making it harder to distinguish between day and night. Fatigue often builds up throughout the day, leading to increased confusion in the evening. Low lighting or shadowy rooms can cause disorientation, and unmet needs – such as hunger, thirst or discomfort – may also play a role. Environmental triggers, including noise or unexpected routine changes, can heighten stress too.
Beyond physical and environmental causes, there are two emotional explanations that can play a significant role - and these are sometimes overlooked:
1. The instinct to “go home” as day turns to evening
For most of someone’s life, the start of evening has meant transition: finishing work, collecting children, going home to start a familiar evening routine.
When a person living with dementia feels that “it’s time to go somewhere” but is unable to do so, it can lead to restlessness, pacing or searching. This behaviour is not random - it reflects lifelong patterns that still feel true to them.
2. The expectation that someone will return home to them
Evening has also always been the time when family members or other emotionally important people arrive home. When nobody appears, a person may feel unsettled without knowing why. This can lead to repeated questions, searching, or increased anxiety.
Recognising these emotional truths helps us provide reassurance that meets the person’s needs that they currently feel, not just the visible behaviour that we can see.
Across HC-One’s family of care homes, colleagues help to spot these triggers early, using gentle reassurance and personalised care plans to help residents feel calm and reassured.
How can symptoms of dementia change during winter?
Seasonal impact on dementia symptoms
Sundowning can intensify during winter months. Shorter daylight hours and early darkness can disrupt natural sleep cycles, and the colder weather often limits our chances for outdoor activity and stimulation. Seasonal events, spending more time indoors or changes to daily structure can also feel unsettling for people living with dementia.
Winter also magnifies the emotional explanations mentioned previously. For example, darkness arrives earlier, signalling ‘home time’ long before the usual routines would begin. Understanding this helps families appreciate why winter can feel more challenging.
Identifying behavioural changes
Families may notice increased confusion, pacing, frustration or difficulty settling as evening approaches. Some people may ask repeated questions or seek more reassurance. Recognising these early signs allows families to make small adjustments to ease the transition into the evening.
Creating a calm environment
A peaceful, predictable environment can make a meaningful difference for someone experiencing sundowning.
Lighting adjustments
Warm, soft lighting helps reduce shadows and maintain a sense of comfort as daylight fades. Switching on lamps earlier in the afternoon, or using daylight lamps, can help to support natural rhythms and limit any confusion.
To support wellbeing during winter, many HC-One care homes use warm lighting, natural-light lamps and carefully planned daytime activity programmes that help maintain a familiar sense of routine.
Using soothing colours
Gentle tones, such as soft blues, greens or warm neutrals, help create a restful atmosphere. Keeping colours consistent and avoiding busy patterns can prevent unnecessary visual distractions which can sometimes cause distress.
Reducing noise and distractions
Closing curtains early can hide reflections that may seem confusing, while lowering background noise or switching off the television can help someone with dementia feel more relaxed. Familiar, low-key activities, such as looking through photos or listening to gentle music, can also help people settle the evening.
Many HC-One homes use quiet lounges, comforting music and familiar items to create a sense of calm at the end of each day.
Supporting someone emotionally: responding with empathy
Because sundowning is often linked to a lifetime of routines and emotional expectations, it helps to respond with empathy rather than correction.
You might say:
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“You’re safe here - can I sit with you for a moment?”
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“You’re thinking about home. Tell me about the people you’d be seeing.”
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“It feels like you should be getting ready for something - shall we do that together?”
This gentle approach acknowledges the meaning behind the behaviour and can be powerfully reassuring.
Collaborating with dementia care teams
Supporting someone through sundowning can be emotionally demanding. If you’re worried or concerned about someone living with dementia, make sure to speak with your GP or a healthcare professional.
At HC-One, we work closely with families to understand what helps each resident feel reassured, calm and supported. Every person is unique, so sharing best practice and learning from others can help families find the right approach for their circumstances.
Supporting families through winter
Sundowning can be distressing, especially during the darker winter months. But with a thoughtful environment, gentle routines and consistent support, evenings can become calmer and more reassuring.
At HC-One, our colleagues are on-hand 24/7 to provide warm, person-centred dementia care, including tailored support for people experiencing sundowning and periods of distress during seasonal changes.
Get in touch
If you’re looking for support with dementia care, we’re here to help.
Contact our team today, or use our online search tool to find a home near you.