This year, Halloween falls on Saturday, October 31st, followed by the end of daylight saving time on Sunday, November 1, 2026.
As clocks move back one hour and evening darkness arrives earlier, families may notice changes in their loved one's behavior, particularly during the late afternoon and evening.
One concern families may encounter is sundowning, a pattern of increased confusion, anxiety, restlessness, or agitation that can occur as daylight fades.
Understanding these symptoms and recognizing when additional support may be helpful can make a meaningful difference for individuals living with dementia and the people caring for them.
What Is Sundowning?
Sundowning describes a pattern of behavioral changes that may occur in the late afternoon or evening among some people living with Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia.
Common signs include:
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Increased confusion or disorientation
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Restlessness or pacing
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Anxiety, irritability, or agitation
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Difficulty settling down for the evening
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Changes in sleeping patterns
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Wandering or repeated attempts to leave home
Not everyone living with dementia experiences sundowning, and symptoms can vary.
Fatigue, disrupted routines, discomfort, and environmental stimulation may contribute to late-day difficulties.
Can Time Change Affect Someone With Dementia?
The end of daylight saving time does not cause dementia or necessarily trigger sundowning. However, changes in daylight exposure and familiar daily routines may present additional challenges for some individuals already experiencing cognitive changes.
Someone accustomed to a particular dinner, activity, or bedtime routine may become unsettled when their surroundings become darker earlier.
Maintaining familiar schedules, providing appropriate lighting, and monitoring changes in behavior can help families navigate the transition.
Here are six practical ways to support a loved one during the seasonal change.
1. Maintain a Familiar Daily Routine
Predictability can be especially reassuring for someone living with dementia.
Try to maintain consistent wake-up times, meals, daily activities, and bedtime routines.
If schedule changes are necessary, make adjustments gradually when possible.
Familiar activities, favorite music, and comforting routines may help reduce distress as the day transitions into evening.
2. Make the Most of Natural Daylight
Natural daylight helps support the body's sleep-wake cycle.
Encourage appropriate daytime activities, such as a short walk, sitting outside, or enjoying time near a sunny window.
For individuals who can safely participate, regular physical activity and social engagement may also help maintain a healthy daily routine.
As sunset approaches, ensure living spaces remain comfortably illuminated to reduce shadows and make the environment easier to navigate.
3. Keep Evenings Calm and Comfortable
Halloween festivities can bring ringing doorbells, unfamiliar costumes, additional visitors, and unexpected noise.
For someone experiencing memory loss or confusion, these activities may feel overwhelming.
Consider celebrating earlier in the day, limiting excessive noise, and creating a calm, familiar environment during the evening.
If trick-or-treating activity is likely to cause distress, families may choose to reduce interruptions or enjoy a more calming celebration.
Simple activities, such as looking through family photographs, listening to favorite music, or enjoying a familiar television program, can help create a comforting atmosphere.
4. Watch for Changes in Sleep or Behavior
Some individuals living with dementia experience difficulty sleeping, nighttime wakefulness, or increased activity during the evening.
Family caregivers should pay attention to recurring patterns, including when symptoms appear and what may be contributing to them.
Consider keeping a brief record of sleep patterns, agitation, and environmental changes to share with the person's healthcare provider.
New or worsening behavioral changes may also reflect pain, medication effects, infection, or another treatable concern.
5. Create a Safe Home Environment
Confusion and nighttime wandering can introduce additional safety concerns.
Families may benefit from:
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Keeping walkways clear and well-lit
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Installing appropriate nightlights
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Removing loose rugs and other tripping hazards
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Securing medications and potentially dangerous household items
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Making sure doors and exits are appropriately monitored
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Keeping important emergency contact information accessible
Home safety arrangements should be individualized to the person's needs while preserving their comfort, dignity, and independence.
6. Recognize When Family Caregivers Need Additional Support
Caring for someone living with dementia can be deeply rewarding, but it can also become physically and emotionally demanding.
If your loved one requires increased supervision, assistance with personal care, help maintaining routines, or support during evening hours, it may be time to consider professional in-home care.
Warning signs that additional support may be helpful include:
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Increasing nighttime wakefulness or wandering
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Difficulty completing daily activities
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Growing safety concerns at home
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Frequent agitation or confusion requiring supervision
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Family caregivers experiencing exhaustion or difficulty balancing responsibilities
Seeking additional help does not mean giving up independence. The right support can help individuals continue living comfortably in familiar surroundings while providing families with much-needed assistance.
How BrightStar Care Supports Families Living With Dementia
At BrightStar Care of West Ventura County, we understand that every individual living with dementia has unique needs, preferences, and routines.
Our personalized in-home care services can include:
Companion Care: Meaningful engagement, familiar activities, social interaction, and support with daily routines.
Personal Care: Assistance with bathing, dressing, grooming, mobility, toileting, and other everyday activities.
Dementia Care: Individualized support for clients experiencing Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia.
Respite Care: Temporary assistance that allows family caregivers time to rest, attend appointments, and manage personal responsibilities.
Skilled Nursing and RN Oversight: Nursing services when clinically appropriate, along with oversight of individualized care plans.
Care Coordination: Communication among families, caregivers, and nursing professionals as care needs change.
Our goal is to help clients receive compassionate, consistent care while supporting families throughout their caregiving journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between dementia and sundowning?
Dementia describes a group of conditions involving changes in memory, thinking, or daily functioning. Sundowning is a pattern of increased confusion, agitation, or restlessness that some individuals living with dementia experience later in the day.
Does daylight saving time make sundowning worse?
Not necessarily. Not everyone living with dementia will experience worsening symptoms because of the time change. However, changes in daylight exposure or daily routines may be challenging for some individuals.
When should families consider professional dementia care at home?
Additional support may be helpful when a loved one needs assistance with daily activities, experiences increasing safety concerns, requires more supervision, or when family caregivers need respite.
Can in-home caregivers help with evening routines?
Yes. Depending on the individual's care plan and caregiver availability, professional caregivers can assist with meals, personal care, companionship, familiar activities, and evening routines.
Compassionate Dementia Care Close to Home
The transition into shorter days is a timely reminder that even small changes can create new challenges for families caring for someone with dementia.
Whether your loved one needs companionship, assistance with daily activities, respite care, or additional nursing support, BrightStar Care of West Ventura County is here to help.
We proudly serve families throughout Ventura, Oxnard, Camarillo, Ojai, Port Hueneme, Santa Paula, Fillmore, and surrounding communities.
Noticing changes in your loved one's behavior or daily care needs?
Contact BrightStar Care of West Ventura County at (805) 585-2273 to discuss personalized in-home care options. Our team is available by phone 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
BrightStar Care. A Higher Standard of Home Care.