dear friend sun downer syndrome in a patient of dementia and alzheimer s happens often in fact about 20% patients suffer from it it does make the task of caregiver more challenging, why it happens we don t know. we do know that it happens during late evening and the trigger seems to be fading light, it reduced as the disease progresses How to Help Someone Who is Sundowning -Note what things seem to trigger it. -Keep a daily routine with regular times for waking up, meals, and going to sleep. -Schedule appointments, outings, visits, and have bath time in the earlier part of the day. That s likely when they’ll likely feel their best. -Avoid giving your loved one stimulants like nicotine and alcohol. Make sure if they have sweets and caffeine that they just do it in the morning. -Either avoid naps or keep them brief and early in the day. -Make a big lunch, but keep their evening meal smaller and simple. -Don’t let them exercise later than 4 hours before bedtime. -In the evening, close curtains and blinds and turn on lights. Darkness and shadows can make agitation worse. -In the late afternoon and evening, cut out as much distraction as you can. -Limit things like TV and loud music. Tell other family members (especially kids) or visitors not to make too much noise. -Get rid of clutter in your loved one s room. -Fix the room temperature so they re comfortable. -Try calming things: Put on relaxing music, read, play cards, or go for a walk to wind down. more over in an elderly of that age and illness sudden deaths are fairly common though Geodon (Ziprasidone).is an atypical anti psychotic and if its helping there is merit in trying it out.