Interrupted Sleep, Insomnia, and Dementia

Individuals with memory impairment may develop interrupted sleep and insomnia. They may even get up and get dressed in the middle of the night to go to work or run errands. 

Waking up in the darkness and with the disorientation that naturally occurs at night is a fall risk, even if the person doesn’t have dementia. Furthermore, this chronic waking can also negatively impact their caregiver who has to get up with them and also loses sleep.

Why Dementia Patients Don’t Sleep Well

A person with dementia may struggle to get a good night’s sleep for several reasons. Talk to your loved one’s doctor about your concerns and discuss possible causes of sleep disturbance and sundowning (a heightened sense of confusion in the late afternoon and evening hours), such as:

• Medical issues like a urinary tract infection or sleep apnea.
• Medication-induced insomnia.
• Melatonin deficiency.
• Unaddressed pain.
• Dysregulated body clock.
• Depression, which is extremely common among those with dementia.
• Sundowning.

What Is Sundowning in Dementia?

Sundowning is a common symptom of dementia that manifests in the late afternoon and can last into the nighttime hours. It’s characterized by behavioral changes like confusion, aggression, pacing, wandering, and even hallucinations. Managing sundowning and dementia for a loved one is especially challenging because it means neither of you is getting a good night’s rest.

How to Get Dementia Patients to Sleep at Night

Sleep deprivation and dementia often go hand in hand, but there are things you can do to help. Try these tips to prepare your loved one for a good night’s sleep:

• The first step when you notice dementia sundowning or disturbed sleep happening is to take the person to their doctor to see if there’s an underlying medical cause for their loss of sleep that goes beyond dementia.
• Make choices during the day that will lead to a nighttime sleep: 
  • Get your loved one exercise during the day. Walk with them or do chores together like sweeping or dusting to help tire them out. 
  • Make sure the person gets sunlight during the day to naturally trigger sleepiness at night.
  • Avoid caffeine, sugar, and chocolate late in the day. 
  • Minimize naps by gently waking your loved one and offering them a snack, or by asking them for help with a chore. 
• Establish a routine that sets the stage for bedtime to minimize confusion. One part of the routine should be a trip to the bathroom before bed so that they are not awakened by the need to use the bathroom in the middle of the night. The bedtime routine should be the same every night as they undress and get comfortable, wash their face and hands with warm water, brush their teeth, and maybe listen to soft music with the lights dimmed.
• Be sensitive to the types of activities, sounds, and TV shows that upset your loved one. Do what you can to minimize these upsetting situations and maintain a peaceful atmosphere.

Choose Dementia Caregiving Services for Peace of Mind (and Peaceful Sleep)

As your loved one’s dementia progresses, you may find it increasingly difficult to cope with their outbursts, confusion, and sleeplessness. You’re making major sacrifices to support your loved one in the comfort and familiar surroundings of their own home. Fortunately, you don’t have to do it all on your own.

The experienced caregivers at your local Homewatch CareGivers^® offer specialized in-home care for those living with dementia. Our caregivers receive ongoing training to keep their skills sharp and to provide quality respite care for family caregivers like you.

Want to learn more? Contact Homewatch CareGivers online or call 888-404-5191 to request your free in-home consultation.