Dementia & Sleep Guide: The Relationship Between Dementia, Alzheimer's & Sleep

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If any of your loved ones live with dementia, you may notice unusual sleeping patterns. Changes in sleeping patterns are common among people with many forms of dementia, such as Alzheimer's. The inability to sleep regularly may affect the sleep-wake cycle caused by the brain changes due to the disease.

If someone close to you is having a tough time adjusting to a regular sleep schedule, you can reach out to them team of trained nurses and care specialists at SageCare. Our private dementia care homes have high staffing to resident ratio, allowing all specialists to focus on your loved one's sleep schedule and offer practical solutions to help them. 

You can educate yourself about the correlation between sleep and dementia to better help your friend or family member. Use this guide to identify if your loved one has trouble sleeping due to dementia and ways you can help.

The Relationship Between Dementia and Sleep

People with dementia experience fundamental changes in their sleep cycle. The part of the brain that works 24-hour cycles as the internal clock, called the circadian rhythms, is responsible for responding to cues such as light, allowing the brain to determine when it's time to sleep or stay awake. Dementia can affect that part of the brain due to decreased cellular activity, making it challenging for people with dementia to sleep on a regular cycle.

When establishing a relationship between sleep and dementia, it is essential to look out for common signs. Some common sleep problems include difficulty falling or staying asleep, excessive sleeping during the day, or frequent awakenings throughout the night.

Sleep Disorders Common Among People with Dementia

Dementia sleep disorders are common among many adults. Although the degree of the issue can vary from person to person, many disorders affect seniors with dementia.

Obstructed Sleep Apnea (OSA)

OSA is a condition where the muscles in your throat relax when you sleep, leading to brief lapses in breathing. The primary connection between sleep apnea and dementia is that inability to breathe properly reduces the air for the brain. 

According to a study, 50 percent of Alzheimer's Disease patients experience OSA after their initial diagnosis. The connection between central sleep apnea and dementia is less common because OSA is a more common form of sleep-disordered breathing.

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Insomnia

Dementia and sleep are tied together in many ways. Insomnia is a common sleep disorder that can result in trouble sleeping, staying asleep or early awakenings. But this is more common if insomnia isn't caused by an external factor, such as drug use or depression.

In addition, people who have insomnia in middle age are also at risk of developing Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia.

Depression

Depression is common among people with dementia, and the condition can worsen when dementia progresses to severe stages. People with many different types of dementia, such as Alzheimer's, can experience depression, leading to sleep disturbances. Individuals with dementia may have trouble sleeping during any of the stages of Alzheimer's, but it can progress more over time.

REM Behavior Disorder (RBD)

During REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, your eyes move around but don't send any visual information to your brain, and your muscles are calm during this time. However, there is a strong relationship between REM sleep disorder and dementia. People with RBD sometimes act out their dreams, causing muscles to move, which can be dangerous and lead to dementia sleepwalking.

RBD is most common in individuals with Lewy body dementia and is sometimes the first symptom of the disease. 

Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS)

RLS is a condition that increases the urge to move the legs due to an uncomfortable sensation, especially at night. This could result in people waking up frequently and is more common among people with Lew body dementia. 

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Ways to Help Someone with Dementia Sleep Better

Once you've understood the relationship between sleep and dementia, you might be wondering how to get dementia patients to sleep at night. When you learn how to identify dementia sleep disorders and the triggers, it can be easier for you to help your loved one get a good night's sleep. 

Maintain a Regular Schedule

Create a bedtime routine for your loved one in a quiet and comforting environment. Getting them into a habit of sleeping on time and waking up in the morning help train their body to maintain a regular schedule. But it can be challenging for many people to keep an eye on someone with dementia consistently. If you need extra assistance, go online and search for a care facility near me to find a SageCare residence.

Our specialized staff members will ensure that your loved one is getting the attention they need and help them follow a regular sleep schedule to avoid vascular dementia sleep talking and other sleep-related problems. 

Avoid Stimulants Close to Bedtime

Certain stimulants, such as coffee, nicotine, and medications, can trigger the sleep cycle and keep people awake at night. Discourage stimulants closer to bedtime, speak to a doctor to determine if any medications result in sleep loss, and choose a different time to administer them.

Engage in Physical Activity

Encouraging your loved one to participate in physical activity should be essential in their dementia care plan. Exercising earlier in the day can tire them out and allow them to achieve interrupted sleep at night.

Pay Attention to Pain

One common sleep and dementia problem in many seniors is a reaction to pain. If an individual is dealing with untreated pain, they may have difficulties sleeping or wake up throughout the night. Explore treatment options after speaking to a doctor.

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Discourage Long Naps

If an individual takes long naps during the day, they may not feel sleepy at night. Limit the practice of long naps during the day and limit the naps to approximately 30 minutes a day. Following effective sleep management strategies can help seniors get better sleep at night and improve their sleep cycle.

The Importance of Sleep in Reducing Dementia Risk

Sleep and dementia are powerfully interconnected to one another. According to the National Institutes of Health, lack of sleep in middle age may increase dementia risk. On the other hand, seniors with dementia can also experience changes in sleeping patterns after a dementia diagnosis. 

It is important to prioritize sleep and help your aging loved ones address the issue, whether or not they have dementia. If you need assistance from a specialized team, contact SageCare to find out how we can help.