The children of a patient diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease (AD) tell the healthcare provider, "Our mother seems better during the day, but she gets very confused and agitated in the late afternoon and evenings." How should the healthcare provider document the patient's behavior?

This patient is experiencing sundowning or sundowner syndrome, also called "late-day confusion," a phenomenon prevalent in patients diagnosed with dementia. Sundowning may be associated with impaired circadian rhythms, environmental or social factors, and impaired cognition. The patient may also begin pacing or wandering, or the patient may become aggressive.