Why Dementia Patients Become Fearful of Shadows
People with dementia often feel scared of shadows, especially as the day turns to evening. This fear comes from changes in their brain and the way their surroundings look in dim light. Shadows can seem like real threats because the brain no longer processes sights the way it used to.
Dementia damages brain cells that help us understand what we see. In low light, like late afternoon when the sun goes down, rooms get darker and shadows appear on walls or floors. These shadows trick the eyes and mind of someone with dementia. They might see a shadow from a chair or curtain as a person, animal, or danger. For example, a simple coat hanging in the corner can look like an intruder in the fading light. This is common during sundowning, a time when confusion and fear peak in the late day or nighthttps://www.dementiacarecentral.com/caregiverinfo/coping-with-disorientation/https://www.melodiacare.com/understanding-and-managing-sundown-syndrome-in-hospice-care/.
The brain’s internal clock, called the circadian rhythm, also gets disrupted by dementia. This makes it hard to tell day from night. Tiredness from the day builds up, and senses get overwhelmed by noises, people, or changes in routine. All this mixes with poor lighting to heighten fear. Shadows stand out more, causing anxiety, pacing, or even cries for helphttps://www.dementiacarecentral.com/caregiverinfo/coping-with-disorientation/https://optoceutics.com/3-types-of-behavioral-triggers-alzheimers-dementia-disease/.
Visual processing problems make it worse. In middle to late stages of dementia, like Alzheimer’s or Lewy body dementia, the person struggles with glare, clutter, or shifting light. A shadow moving across a room can spark hallucinations or a sense of threat. It’s not that they want to be upset; their brain misreads the world around themhttps://www.melodiacare.com/understanding-and-managing-sundown-syndrome-in-hospice-care/https://optoceutics.com/3-types-of-behavioral-triggers-alzheimers-dementia-disease/.
Other factors add to the problem. Hunger, pain, or feeling lonely can make someone more on edge. A busy day with too much stimulation leaves them exhausted by evening. Then, as light fades, shadows trigger a strong emotional response tied to old memories, like wanting to go homehttps://www.hc-one.co.uk/our-news/blogs-and-articles/sundowning-and-dementia-in-winterhttps://www.kirkchristie.com/post/coping-with-sundowning-practical-tips-and-support-for-dementia-caregivers-by-dr-kirk-christie.
Caregivers notice this most in winter or any time when days end early. Keeping lights bright and steady helps reduce shadows and calm fears. Soft lighting until bedtime makes the space feel safe and familiar.
Sources
https://www.dementiacarecentral.com/caregiverinfo/coping-with-disorientation/
https://www.melodiacare.com/understanding-and-managing-sundown-syndrome-in-hospice-care/
https://optoceutics.com/3-types-of-behavioral-triggers-alzheimers-dementia-disease/
https://www.hc-one.co.uk/our-news/blogs-and-articles/sundowning-and-dementia-in-winter
https://www.kirkchristie.com/post/coping-with-sundowning-practical-tips-and-support-for-dementia-caregivers-by-dr-kirk-christie
