General
sundowner
What does sundowner mean?
A patient, often with dementia, who grows disoriented, restless, or combative as evening falls (sundowning).
"He's fine all morning but a total sundowner after dinner."
Origin
From 'sundown'; describes symptoms worsening at dusk.
Frequently asked questions
What does sundowner mean in a hospital?
It describes a patient, usually with dementia, who becomes confused, agitated, or restless as evening comes on, a pattern known as sundowning.
Why does it happen in the evening?
The term comes from symptoms worsening around sundown; fading light and disrupted body-clock rhythms are thought to trigger the confusion.
Is calling someone a sundowner offensive?
It is informal clinical shorthand rather than an insult, though it describes a symptom pattern and is best used among staff, not with families.
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