How Care Homes Support Residents With Dementia in the Evenings
Evenings can sometimes be more difficult for residents living with dementia. This phenomenon is often referred to as sundowning. Although not every resident experiences it, many care homes are familiar with its signs.
This article examines how dementia care homes approach evening care and how they assist residents in feeling more settled during this time of day.
What Strategies Do Care Homes Use to Support Residents During Sundowning?
Care homes support residents during sundowning by using calm, structured routines, soft lighting and personalised care. Staff reduce noise and stimulation in the evenings, offering reassurance instead of correction and adapt activities to help residents feel safe and settled.
Surroundings that are familiar with consistent staffing and an awareness of individual needs allow residents to manage changes in mood or behaviour as the day comes to a close.
What Is Sundowning and Why Does It Happen?
Sundowning is the term used to describe changes in behaviour that can happen in the late afternoon or evening for some residents living with dementia.
It might show up as restlessness, confusion, pacing, anxiety or increased agitation during a time when others are winding down.
There isn’t one single reason why sundowning happens, but a few factors often play a part. Tiredness, hunger, changes in routine or perhaps the way light shifts as day turns into night can all contribute. For residents who already struggle to stay oriented, these changes can be unsettling.
It’s important to recognise that sundowning doesn’t affect every resident with dementia. For those who experience it, the symptoms don’t always manifest in the same way each day. What matters most is that care staff recognise the early signs and respond with a calm, consistent approach, prioritising the resident’s comfort.
Evening Routines in Dementia Care Homes
A steady routine helps many residents feel more secure as the day comes to a close. While every care home has its own approach to dementia care, there are some standard processes to support residents with dementia in the evening:
Evening meals are calm and unhurried
A warm, familiar meal helps signal the shift into nighttime. Staff aim to create a peaceful atmosphere around dinnertime.
Low-stimulation activities follow
Some activities for dementia might include soft music, reading aloud or quiet time with staff. These moments are always calm, familiar and never overstimulating.
Lighting is adjusted gradually
Harsh or sudden changes in lighting can be disorienting for residents living with dementia. So, using soft, warm lighting will reduce visual confusion and create a settled environment.
Transitions are kept gentle
Staff avoid rushing residents into pyjamas or bed. A slow, steady approach will avoid distress and give residents time to adjust.
Familiar people and routines are prioritised
Seeing a family member, familiar carer or hearing a known voice is extremely helpful in keeping residents grounded at the end of the day.
Plans are flexible when they need to be
If a resident isn’t ready for bed, they won’t be forced into a routine; instead, staff will respond to each individual’s needs in the moment.
Staff Training and Awareness for Sundowning
Evenings can be rather unpredictable for residents with dementia, so care staff are trained to notice when they are starting to feel unsettled. Pacing, confusion or sudden changes in mood are signs that must be identified early, so support can be offered before the situation escalates.
Rather than correct or challenge what a resident is saying, staff respond with calm, reassuring communication. The aim is to reduce distress, not explain it away in a way that makes matters worse and if a resident is becoming agitated, pushing them to follow a routine also makes things harder. A quieter approach, such as staying nearby, offering comfort or giving them space in a secure setting, usually helps the resident settle more quickly.
Training also includes knowing when to ask for help, whether that’s from a nurse, a manager or a GP. Staff don’t work alone, and being supported by a consistent team helps everyone stay aligned for the well-being of all residents with dementia.
Making Sundowning Easier for Residents and Staff
Evenings can be harder for residents living with dementia. But, as discussed in this article, with the proper support, they don’t have to be distressing. When staff understand what to look for and respond in a calm, familiar way, residents with dementia feel more settled as the day winds down.
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