Dementia Daylight Saving Tips: Easing the Fall Shift

A one-hour change may not seem like much, but for people living with dementia, and the care partners supporting them, this shift can feel noticeable.

On Sunday, November 1, daylight saving time comes to an end, and we’ll turn our clocks back one hour. For some, that means an extra hour of sleep. For people living with dementia, these changes can be especially noticeable. Familiar routines help us understand our days. When those routines change, even slightly, we may feel confused or frustrated. Our sleep may also change.

The good news? A few small adjustments can help make the transition a little smoother for everyone.

Why does the time change matter for dementia?

Our bodies rely on natural light and daily routines to help us know when it’s time to be awake, eat, rest, and sleep. Dementia can affect that internal clock, making changes in daylight and routine more difficult to navigate.

You may have heard care teams call this ‘sundowning.’ It describes more confusion, restlessness, or anxiety in some people with dementia later in the day. With the sun setting earlier, these experiences may appear more often or feel more intense for a while.

Of course, everyone experiences dementia differently, and the time change will not affect everyone. Still, preparing can make a difference.

A few ways to make the transition easier

Try to keep the familiar parts of your day.

There’s comfort in knowing what comes next. Try to keep meals, morning routines, favorite activities, and bedtime as consistent as possible. For example, if your loved one is used to having toast and tea at 8:00 AM or listening to a specific music playlist at 3:00 PM, try to maintain those exact daily anchors. If the time change makes that difficult, consider shifting things gradually, moving their schedule by just 10 or 15 minutes a day, rather than making a full one-hour jump all at once.

Aim for more daylight exposure.

Natural light helps our bodies recognize the difference between day and night.Opening the curtains in the morning can help.

Enjoy coffee by a sunny window. Or take a short walk outside. Even a few minutes of daylight can be a nice way to start the day.

Brighten the home before it feels dim.

With sunset arriving earlier, consider turning on lights before the room starts feeling dim. Keeping living spaces well lit can reduce confusion. It can also make the shift from afternoon to evening feel less sudden.

It may help to slow down in the evenings.

If evenings feel a little more challenging, this might be a good time to simplify the schedule. A favorite TV show, familiar music, looking through photos, or quiet time together can help create a relaxed environment.

Pay attention to what works for you.

Maybe you’re noticing that bedtime feels earlier than usual, or that late afternoons have become more difficult. Small observations can help you figure out what adjustments are worth trying. And remember, something that works one day might not work the next. That’s okay, too.

A reminder for dementia care partners

If you’re supporting someone with dementia, it’s easy to focus on helping them adjust. You can also easily miss how the change affects you.

Earlier evenings, disrupted sleep, and changes in routine can be tiring for everyone. You don’t have to plan for every possibility. Often, familiar routines are the most comforting support. Stay flexible, and notice when you need a little extra support too.