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Eldercare Review | Monday, January 23, 2023
Sleep issues are normal in individuals with dementia, and sleep loss may bestow to or exacerbate the harshness of other dementia symptoms.
Dementia is an irretrievable loss of brain function, which is expected in the Elderly. There are diverse types of dementia, all prone to affect older adults. Dementia is noticeable by brain cells not working as they should and dying off more rapidly than people without dementia. There isn’t a certain cure for dementia, but accessible treatments can retard its progression.
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Sleep issues are normal in individuals with dementia, and sleep loss may bestow to or exacerbate the harshness of other dementia symptoms.
What Can Help Elders With Dementia Sleep Better?
Sleep hygiene is the main treatment for sleep concerns in people with dementia. Sleep hygiene is an assemblage of practices and environmental attention that encourage good sleep quality. The following sleep hygiene tips may aid a person with dementia better their sleep patterns:
● Keep a regular schedule: Setting expected wake and sleep times. Form a bedtime routine that includes quiet, soothing activities before bed. Television and electronic devices can be exhilarating and discharge blue light that interferes with sleep, so try to prevent these actions before bed.
● Limit naps: Napping during the day can reduce sleepiness at night, so it may support deterring napping or restrict the practice to one nap lasting less than 30 minutes
● Engage in physical exercise: Exercising an hour before bedtime can adversely affect sleep. Still, getting exercise early in the day can lead to better sleep at night. It also shortens napping and supports overall health.
● Schedule social activity: A research study identified that people with dementia who took part in one to two hours of social activity daily showed improved nighttime sleep.
● Add light exposure: Light is a main regulator of circadian rhythm, so if feasible, getting natural light during the day can support sleep at night. If access to natural light is circumscribed because of weather or other factors, indoor bright light therapy may aid.
● Evade stimulants: It’s best to evade caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine if feasible. Also, some medications utilized to manage dementia can interfere with sleep, so talk to a doctor about the best time to administer medications.
● Address pain and sleep disorders: If a person with dementia is handling with pain, a sleep disorder, or depression, treating the condition may better sleep. A doctor can aid with exploring treatment options.
● Produce a calming bedroom environment: A dark, quiet, prosperous bedroom encourage sleep. Some people with dementia advantage from having well-loved objects near their beds. If total darkness is not soothing, add night lights to form a sense of security.
Some of these sleep hygiene exercises may be hard for elders with dementia. For instance, it may not be possible to manage the bedroom noise level in a nursing home or supported living facility. Consider counting a white noise machine to cover outside noise. A person with dementia may also have difficulty keeping a regular bedtime because of napping or varied everyday activities, but keeping wake time uniform can still help stabilize the circadian rhythm. A physician or sleep expert is in a good position to give individualized sleep hygiene suggestions for a specific situation.
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