Ask the doctor


Alzheimer's And Sleep

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



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