During the time change, many people experience small alterations in sleep, mood, or concentration. For people with dementia, this adjustment can have a more noticeable impact on their daily well-being and routine.
The impact of time change on cognitive health
Several recent studies, such as the one published in BMJ Medicine (Zhao et al., 2024), have examined how time change affects overall health, particularly in older adults. The research concludes that the spring time change, when one hour of sleep is lost, can disrupt the circadian rhythm and affect sleep quality, while the autumn change, when an hour is gained, may slightly reduce mortality risk in people over 75 years old.
Although no significant increases in overall mortality are observed, the disruption of biological rhythms can lead to greater confusion, irritability or disorientation in people with Alzheimer’s or other types of dementia. This is due to the so-called “sundowning syndrome,” a phenomenon that may intensify during periods of schedule adjustment.
Sundowning syndrome is characterised by the worsening of cognitive, behavioural, and emotional symptoms at the end of the day, typically around sunset or in the early evening hours.
How to support adaptation
We have observed that prevention and consistent routines are key to reducing the impact of these changes. Our professionals recommend:
- Exposure to natural morning light, to help the brain readjust the biological clock.
- Maintaining stable schedules for meals, rest and daily activities.
- Avoiding screens and intense stimuli in the hours before bedtime.
- Providing calm and empathetic support for possible behavioural or orientation changes.
These simple measures can improve sleep quality and reduce confusion during the first days after the time change.
Ace’s integrated approach
At Ace, we understand that cognitive health depends not only on treatments but also on the balance between body, mind and environment. For this reason, we address dementia from an integrated perspective that combines scientific research, specialised clinical care and emotional and social support for families.
Our multidisciplinary team works to anticipate the effects of external changes, such as time change, on the daily lives of people with dementia, providing tools and guidance that help maintain calm, safety and well-being.
References
Zhao S. et al. All cause and cause specific mortality associated with transition to daylight saving time in US: nationwide, time series, observational study. BMJ Medicine, 2024.
