It’s no secret that good sleep is linked to good health. Regularly receiving a full night’s rest is important to maintaining strong brain function. However, individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and Dementia often struggle to get the recommended hours of rest. Not only does this impact their quality of life, but it can also accelerate their condition’s progression. Fox Trail Memory Care Living provides memory care communities and support to residents in North and Central New Jersey with cognitive disorders. Here, we discuss the best sleep aids for Dementia residents to help your loved one get the rest they need.
The Relationship Between Sleep and Dementia
Sleep troubles are common among older adults. People in Dementia care, however, may have an even harder time. They may have trouble falling asleep, wake up during the night, or wake too early in the morning. They may also feel sleepy during the day, making it difficult to stay alert.
A few different factors are at play here. The first is sundowning, a state of confusion that impacts people with late-stage Dementia. It often appears in the late afternoon and into the night, and may cause confusion, restlessness, or agitation. Frequent sundowning can interfere with healthy bedtimes. Sleep apnea is another common concern. This condition causes breathing to stop and start while the person is asleep, keeping them from sleeping deeply. Finally, difficulties may be influenced by features of a person’s health or environment, including:
- Mental and physical exhaustion
- Overstimulation from daytime activities
- Age-related changes in the body’s natural clock
- Sudden changes in schedule or diet
- New or confusing environments
- Poor lighting, which can cause confusion
- Unmet needs, like hunger or thirst
Identifying the cause for poor sleep is the first step toward a healthier cycle. Once you understand why your loved one is struggling, you can identify the best sleep aid to address the problem.
Environment and Lifestyle Adjustments
The first approach to sleep troubles is to address any environmental or lifestyle factors that may be contributing. Evaluate your loved one’s living pattern and situation for elements that may be interfering with a regular sleep schedule. Here are some suggestions from our team:
- Create routine: Try to wake up, eat, and go to bed at the same time every day. This regulates the circadian rhythm, which tells the body when to feel sleepy or alert.
- Improve diet: Eating a healthy diet improves well-being and can contribute to good sleep. Avoid stimulants like caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol, especially at night.
- Reduce screentime: Bodies use environmental light to regulate sleep. Too much TV, computer, or phone time before bed can keep the brain alert, making it harder to rest.
- Stay active: Physical activity like walks, dancing, or yoga can burn excess energy, reducing nighttime restlessness that may interfere with sleep.
- Set a mood: Creating a peaceful atmosphere in the evening with reading aloud, soothing music, and a comfortable temperature can help them relax before going to bed.
- Improve lighting: Gentle night lights around the home can help your loved one feel safe at night, reducing restlessness caused by anxiety.
In many cases, lifestyle changes may be enough to improve your loved one’s sleep cycle for a healthy night’s rest. However, if Dementia residents still struggle with sundowning or other sleep troubles, then medication may be recommended.
Does Sleep Medication Cause Dementia?
A few medications are available that can improve sleep patterns, including melatonin. This is a lab-made version of a hormone that adjusts and regulates the circadian rhythm. Taking melatonin can help people fall asleep faster and sleep longer and may also help with sundowning.
Some people worry that regular melatonin use may be tied to higher rates of Dementia. According to current research, however, melatonin does not increase the risk of Dementia, nor does it cause the condition to progress more quickly. In fact, the opposite is true. Melatonin may slow or prevent Dementia by treating disorders like REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD), sleep-wake cycle disorders, and apnea, which are all associated with forms of Dementia.
People with Dementia should still use caution when taking melatonin. Sleep medications can increase confusion and the risk of falling. Speak with our medical team to find out whether melatonin is the best choice for your loved one with Dementia.
Learn More About Sleep Aids for Dementia Residents
If your loved one struggles to sleep at night, entrusting their care to a community may improve both their health and your peace of mind. Fox Trail Memory Care Living is dedicated to the well-being of our residents. A low staff-to-resident ratio ensures that all community members receive personalized attention, and our HOPE program gives them access to individualized medical care. To learn more about the best sleep aids for Dementia residents or to tour our communities in Northern and Central NJ, contact us today.