The Longest Day: Raising Awareness About Alzheimer’s and the Shadows of Sundowning

Every year on June 21st, the Alzheimer’s Association hosts a powerful awareness event known as The Longest Day. This campaign is more than just a fundraiser—it’s a global movement that shines a light on the challenges faced by individuals living with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers. Held on the summer solstice, the day with the most light, the initiative symbolizes the relentless fight against the darkness of Alzheimer’s disease.

But there’s another reason the name “The Longest Day” resonates so deeply—because for many caregivers and families, every day with Alzheimer’s can feel like the longest day, especially when sundowning sets in.

 

☀️ What is Sundowning?

Sundowning refers to a pattern of increased confusion, anxiety, agitation, and restlessness that occurs in the late afternoon and evening hours in individuals with Alzheimer’s or other dementias. It’s one of the most emotionally and physically challenging symptoms for both the individual and their caregiver.

Common Signs of Sundowning:

• Pacing or wandering
• Increased confusion and irritability
• Paranoia or hallucinations
• Yelling or aggressive behavior
• Difficulty sleeping or staying calm

 

🌙 Why Does Sundowning Happen?

The exact causes of sundowning are not fully understood, but several factors are believed to contribute:

• Changes in internal body clock due to brain deterioration
• Low lighting and shadows in the evening hours can increase confusion
• Fatigue after a full day can make it harder to cope with stress
• Hunger, pain, or discomfort that may be hard to express
• Lack of routine or overstimulation during the day

These symptoms can begin in the late afternoon and continue through the night, disrupting both sleep and quality of life.

 

💔 The Caregiver’s Challenge

Caring for someone who experiences sundowning can be exhausting and emotionally draining. The unpredictability, the night-time vigilance, and the emotional toll of seeing a loved one in distress can contribute to caregiver burnout and isolation.

Many caregivers report:

• Disrupted sleep from staying awake to ensure safety
• Emotional stress from trying to soothe their loved one through confusion or fear
• Physical exhaustion from round-the-clock caregiving responsibilities

It’s no wonder that caregivers often say “Every day feels like the longest day.”

 

🌅 The Power of Awareness and Support

This is why The Longest Day campaign is so important. It not only raises vital funds for research, care, and support—it also provides a moment of unity and understanding. People across the globe host walks, bake sales, fitness challenges, and creative events in honor of someone they love who is affected by Alzheimer’s.

And while we fight for better treatments and, one day, a cure, we must also advocate for the support caregivers so desperately need—especially when navigating the challenges of sundowning.

 

💡 Tips for Managing Sundowning:

• Keep daily routines consistent to provide structure and comfort
• Limit naps during the day to support better nighttime sleep
• Increase light exposure during the day and reduce shadows at night
• Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and heavy meals in the evening
• Play calming music or engage in relaxing evening activities
• Consider respite care options—such as adult day programs—to give caregivers a much-needed break

 

🔗 Download our Caregiver’s Guide to Understanding & Managing Sundowning

 

💜 Join the Movement

This June, let’s bring more light to the darkness of Alzheimer’s. Whether you participate in a Longest Day event, make a donation, or simply take time to check in on a caregiver, your actions matter.

Because for those affected by Alzheimer’s, every day truly is the longest day. Together, we can offer support, spark hope, and walk toward a brighter tomorrow.

More about The Longest Day organized by the Alzheimer’s Association