My Mom has started "sundowning", how do I distract her from wanting to go to bed so early?

Around 5 PM when she starts getting sleepy give her something simple to do with her hands like folding towels, sorting buttons, or making a little craft Something she can do without too much thinking could help her stay engaged But what you’re describing of her wanting to go to bed too early could be more related to sleep rhythm disruptions common in older age or dementia rather than classic sundowning. Sundowning typically refers to increased confusion, agitation, and restlessness in the late afternoon and evening

Can you find something she likes to do? Puzzles, simple games, help you fold towels-I just dump some in the dryer as if I just washed them, watch Game Show Network? Offer her a pedicure or manicure. I think their brain is so tired and exhausted trying to make sense of what is going on around them. Don’t you wish you could get inside their brain and understand what is going on and how things look/feel for them. It has to be so difficult. If my mom is tired, I go with it. We are lucky, there isn’t a problem with her getting up and getting into/causing trouble.