Why New England Needs Permanent Daylight Savings Time

Sundowning—late‑day confusion, agitation, and anxiety—is one of the most difficult symptoms for people living with dementia. When winter sunsets drop to 4:30 p.m., these symptoms begin earlier, hit harder, and create avoidable stress for families, care facilities, and healthcare workers.

Keeping Daylight Saving Time year‑round would shift winter sunsets to about 5:30 p.m., giving an extra hour of afternoon light when it matters most.

That one hour can:

• Reduce agitation and confusion
• Lower wandering risk
• Support more stable sleep cycles
• Ease caregiver strain
• Improve safety and quality of life for thousands of older adults

New England has one of the oldest populations in the country. We should not continue a clock‑changing practice that worsens symptoms for some of our most vulnerable residents.

Please support legislation to end the biannual clock change and adopt permanent Daylight Saving Time. Later winter sunsets can make a real, measurable difference for people living with dementia and those who care for them.