When we are tired our worries and upsets become blown out of proportion and we stress about them. 'Sundowning' is when this happens to people with dementia ... in short they are tired (physically and mentally) and their worries and concerns, however trivial to us, become blown out of proportion and they become upset, agitated and possibly aggressive. The key, I have found, is to find ways to reassure them and try to deal with their concerns ... however trivial they are to us, their problems are big problems to them.

Sundowners syndrome is when it gets dark out and the wakening hours are long they get more agitated and even can get downright nasty with you. This is when we defer what is causing her emotions and change the topic to something pleasant. Her mood can change instantly.