| If you are the caregiver of someone with Alzheimer's, | | | | giving them a night-time drink. |
| you may have noticed a change in their sleeping habits. | | | | It is much more appropriate to keep the Alzheimer's |
| Is this normal? | | | | sufferer awake as long as possible during the day |
| People often assume that as we get older, we need | | | | (though it is often tempting to let them sleep for long |
| less sleep. This is true for many people, but not for | | | | periods, as this gives the caregiver some time to do |
| everyone. Even in old age everyone has their own | | | | chores, have a few minutes to themselves, or even |
| sleeping pattern which suits them best. | | | | take a nap. |
| The sleep needs of an Alzheimer's disease sufferer | | | | Make sure it isn't another problem that is causing the |
| may or may not change, but what often happens is | | | | restless nights. This could include incontinence, night |
| that their sleep cycle becomes reversed. In other | | | | cramps, or joint pain. Sometimes simply giving the |
| words, they may sleep all day and be wide awake at | | | | patient two paracetamol just before bedtime can |
| night. | | | | alleviate these problems, so it's worth checking out. |
| This isn't a problem in itself - though it can be very | | | | Keeping the Alzheimer's sufferer gently active during |
| distressing, and tiring for their caregivers. Especially if | | | | the day is a good way of helping them to re-establish |
| they become disruptive and noisy by moving around in | | | | a sleeping pattern that allows them to settle again at |
| the main living areas acting as though it is daytime. | | | | night. |
| It's very tempting to use medication to help the | | | | If this proves to be unworkable, many people use night |
| Alzheimer's disease sufferer sleep at night. Though | | | | sitting services. These can be very useful as the |
| eventually it may become necessary, sedatives can | | | | Alzheimer's sufferer is able to wander about closely |
| often exacerbate their confused mental state, which | | | | supervised, and the caregiver is able to have a few |
| then makes the person more difficult to care for. It is a | | | | nights of undisturbed sleep. |
| vicious cycle. | | | | Even if a service like this is only be used for one or |
| A small glass of their favorite alcoholic beverage is | | | | two nights a week, it allows the caregiver to get some |
| often a good idea, or perhaps a warm drink - though | | | | quality sleep. And a well-slept caregiver is more likely |
| urinary incontinence may need to be considered when | | | | to give good care. |