Sundowning often happens when someone is experiencing dementia, but does not only occur with dementia. It typically appears during the late afternoon or evening when the person has had too little sensory or social stimulation earlier in the day. Without sufficient stimuli or input, our brains become restless and prevent us from relaxing. Just as an empty stomach continues to remind us that we are hungry, a brain that hasn’t had enough input to keep it busy makes us uncomfortable and prevents us from relaxing. Sundowning lessens in intensity, frequency and duration when the person who is experiencing dementia enjoys sufficient exercise and sensory and social stimuli that is pleasing to them every day.