10 Ways to Overcome Sleep Challenges Caused by Alzheimer’s.
Sleep disturbances and insomnia are common among adults with Alzheimer’s. This information may help you understand why and what you can do to overcome it.
Talk with a spouse or adult child who is caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s about their biggest challenges and sleep trouble will no doubt be high on the list. People with the disease seem to be able to survive on very little sleep for long periods of time. For caregivers, it can be exhausting.
While pharmacological sleep solutions are available, they are typically used as a last resort because adults with Alzheimer’s react differently to medication than their peers without dementia. However, there are other steps families can take to try to help their loved one overcome sleep problems caused by Alzheimer’s disease.
What Families Can Do to Help a Loved One with Alzheimer’s Sleep Well
First, take time to learn more about what might be causing a senior’s sleep problems. Researchers have a few ideas on why sleep can be so elusive for people with Alzheimer’s. A few reasons are:
- Overstimulation: Because Alzheimer’s causes damage to the brain, people who have the disease have trouble processing overly hectic or noisy surroundings. Overstimulation, especially in the late afternoon or evening, might be the reason a senior with Alzheimer’s is struggling with sleep.
- Sundowner’s Syndrome: Sundowning is common among adults with Alzheimer’s. It is a condition that causes restlessness and increased confusion as the sun begins to set. People with Alzheimer’s who experience sundowning are more likely to wander during this time of day.
- Increased agitation and anxiety: People who have Alzheimer’s disease typically experience increased levels of agitation and anxiety. It can make it difficult for them to unwind and enjoy a good night’s sleep.
- Problems with sleep-wake cycles: Research seems to show that adults who have Alzheimer’s undergo changes in their sleep-wake cycle. In the early stages of the disease, a senior may wake up frequently throughout the night. They might get up and wander. As the disease progresses, a senior may get their days and nights mixed up causing them to sleep soundly all day and be awake all night long.
- Medication problems: Like anyone else, people with Alzheimer’s might be taking medications that are causing sleep problems. Anti-depressants and steroids can cause insomnia in some people. Decongestants can cause drowsiness that might disrupt traditional sleep schedules.
Then move on to understanding what interventions you can take to help your loved one—and yourself—get a good night of sleep.
10 Natural Remedies That Might Help a Senior with Alzheimer’s Sleep
Ten steps you can take to help your senior loved one with Alzheimer’s disease overcome sleep problems are:
- Having a structured daily schedule where stimulating activities are clustered to early morning hours
- Reviewing the senior’s prescription and over-the-counter medication list with their physician or pharmacist to identify potential side effects or interactions
- Scheduling a physical examination with their primary care physician to see if there is an undiagnosed health problem that might be causing pain
- Avoiding caffeine and other stimulants that might make sleep difficult
- Limiting fluid intake during evening hours so the senior doesn’t wake up during the night needing the bathroom
- Turning off the television in the evening and playing soft, soothing music to help the senior unwind before bedtime
- Sticking with a consistent bedtime and morning wake-up time
- Discouraging naps late in the day or the evening
- Exercising early every morning to avoid overstimulation at night
- Creating a restful sleep environment for the senior that includes blackout curtains, a comfortable mattress, a cool temperature, and soft music playing with a sleep timer
Let the Team at Arrow Help You Find a Memory Care Community
If you are struggling to keep a senior loved one with Alzheimer’s healthy and safe at home, it might be time to consider a move to a memory care community. Southern California is home to many and the team at Arrow Senior Care knows them well.
Contact us today for free advice and guidance on selecting a memory care community in southern California that best meets your loved one’s needs. Click below to learn how it works.
