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Alzheimer's disease and other dementias are characterized by frequent sleep disturbance both in patients and their caregivers. Nighttime wandering and confusion are often the trigger for institutionalizing the person with dementia. The following guidelines may help improve sleep patterns for your loved one and thus help keep the person with dementia at home.
- Try to maintain a regular sleep schedule, i.e., same bedtime, wakeup time and nap time each day.
- Provide appropriate physical activity and exercise each day.
- Provide plenty of exposure to bright light, either natural or artificial, and ideally between 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. (Helps set the body's internal clock.)
- Allow time for naps not to exceed 30 minutes and scheduled before 2:00 p.m. Napping after 2: p.m. will disrupt nighttime sleep.
- Avoid use of caffeine and alcohol and limit fluids after dinner.
- Remind person with dementia to empty the bladder before bedtime.
- Try keeping the bathroom light on at night. Maintain a clear, visible pathway to the bathroom or provide a bedside commode for nightime use.
- Do not insist that the person wear pajamas. If he falls asleep in a chair, let him be.
- Sleeping pills and tranqualizers may cause a "Hangover", or excessive daytime drowsiness. Be sure to discuss the risks and benefits with your physician.
- Try a back rub, warm bath, or soft music to reduce anxiety and promote relaxation at bedtime.
- Be sure to eliminate or reduce any noise that may disrupt sleep.
- Leave a light on in the person's room to help the person get oriented to his surroundings upon awakening.
- Draw shades to reduce shadows in the room that may be misinterpreted and frighten the person with dementia.
- Consider hiring a night time companion so that the caregiver can enjoy uninterrupted sleep and the person with dementia is safely supervised.
- Provide adequate pain relief for arthritic conditions or other sources of chronic pain.
Resources:
Caregiving at a Glance, Lin Noyes, RN, MSN. 1991.
Sleep and Aging, Joan Rachel Goldberg, National Sleep Foundation. 1998
In the Northern Virginia Chapter Service Area, for more information about Sleep Disturbances, please contact the Chapter's telephone Helpline at 703-359-4440 or 800-207-8679. Outside Northern Virginia, please contact your local Chapter.
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Last updated: September 1, 1999
Please return to https://www.alz-nova.org or
call 800-207-8679 or 703-359-4440
for more information about services in Northern Virginia.
© 1997 - 2000 Alzheimer's Association, Northern Virginia Chapter. All rights reserved.
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