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