Sleep & Alzheimers Disease: What to Know

As we age, difficulties with sleep become more common. And when a person has Alzheimers disease or another form of dementia, they can get even worse.

If your loved one has dementia and is suffering from sleep issues, our team at Qualicare Tri Cities wants to share some insight into how to get better sleep.

Get the Quality Sleep You Need Every Night

No matter what our age, we all need our sleep. However, as we age, we need a good nights sleep even more.

For your loved one with Alzheimers disease, getting quality sleep is particularly important. So take steps to ensure better sleep:

First, you want to work with your loved ones doctor to uncover the underlying cause of the insomnia. Treatment depends on whats causing the problems.

Second, some medications taken for Alzheimers disease or other dementia can have a side effect of causing insomnia. In addition, sleeping medications might not be safe to take at the same time as common dementia-related meds.

Talk with your loved ones doctor or a pharmacist about his or her medications to determine if they could be the cause of the sleep difficulties”or if they would negatively interact with sleeping medications.

Finally, make sleep a part of your loved ones routine. Even as we grow older, having a schedule is very important, particularly for those with dementia.

When everything else is unfamiliar and changing, having a set routine can help your loved one know whats next and feel comforted.

Add a bedtime routine into the schedule for the day, and include time to bathe, unwind and settle down for bed. Also ensure the room is a comfortable, cool temperature and that its dark for optimal sleep.

Did you know that we specialize in dementia care? Contact our team at Qualicare Tri Cities today to learn how we can help!