Sleeping Too Little May Heighten Dementia Risk In Older Adults
A recent study also found that sleeping nine hours or more can be unhealthy for the brain and may lead to decline in cognitive function.
, Canva Everyday Health
When it comes to keeping the brain in working order, dont underestimate the value of a good nights sleep. Research by Stanford University scientists, published in the journal JAMA Neurology, found that too little sleep or too much can be disruptive to brain health.
Scientists discovered that sleeping six hours or less was not only associated with memory loss but also with elevated levels of beta-amyloid. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, when high amounts of beta-amyloid protein build up, they can form toxic plaques that interfere with cell-to-cell signaling in the brain. These plaques are a defining feature of Alzheimers disease, which destroys memory pathways and other brain functions and afflicts more than 40 million people worldwide.
On the other hand, scientists observed that sleep lasting nine hours or more per night was linked with worse executive function .
Both too much and too little sleep were tied to declines in self-reported cognitive function, including reasoning, understanding, and paying close attention. Both extreme sleep patterns also appeared to be connected to multiple negative lifestyle outcomes, including higher BMI , greater depressive symptoms, and more time spent napping during the day.
RELATED: Sleep 101: The Ultimate Guide on How to Get a Better Nights Sleep
Why Do Parkinsons Patients Sleep So Much
Parkinson’s patients experience difficulties with their sleep due to the disease itself and the medications that treat it. This can lead to increased sleepiness during the day.
Parkinsons disease can cause problems with sleep, and the medications used to treat it can cause even more. Difficulties sleeping during the night can cause daytime sleepiness, and the medications can also cause drowsiness. This disruption to the circadian rhythms can lead to more frequent, lower quality sleep.
Top Tips For Restful Sleep:
Try to maintain a predictable routine and fixed times for bedtime, waking, meals and activities.
Consider a night and day clock that helps easily orient to the time of day.
Put daytime clothes and objects out of sight to avoid confusion.
Cover up mirrors at night. They may not always recognise themselves.
Encourage the person to stay out of bed when awake, including at night. Let the bed be only for sleep.
Avoid heavy meals, sugar and caffeine close to bedtime.
Read Dementia: The One-Stop Guide by June Andrews. A detailed and popular guide to what makes a difference in the life of a person with dementia and their carer.
Also Check: Did Margaret Thatcher Have Dementia
The Best Guide On How To Get Someone With Dementia To Sleep At Night
Are you a family caregiver wondering how to keep dementia patients in bed at night?
Elderly adults with dementia can have difficulty sleeping and staying in bed at night. This increased sleeplessness can be a challenge for family caregivers. Fortunately, there are some ways to help a dementia patient whos not sleeping at night.
In this article, were providing insight for caregivers into topics like:
- Why dementia patients dont sleep
- How to get a dementia patient to sleep
- How to calm dementia patients at night
Keep reading to understand dementia sleep issues and how overnight dementia care might be an excellent option for your loved one.
Is It Safe For Alzheimers Patients Yo Take Sleep Aidswhat Should I Do If I Experience Side Effects
The routine use of medications to treat sleep issues in patients with Alzheimers disease is not supported by current scientific evidence. Sleep aids carry extra risks for people with Alzheimers they can cause falls and injury, increase memory loss and confusion, and may have an overly sedative effect. Sleep aids are typically reserved for cases where all other options have been exhausted and should only be given under guidance of a physician.
Melatonin supplements have been studied as a possible option for improving sleep quality in Alzheimers patients. However, research examining the effectiveness of melatonin supplements in people with dementia has produced conflicting results. Some studies demonstrated a small benefit, increasing nighttime sleep by around 30 minutes, while other studies showed no benefit. There is also evidence to suggest that melatonin supplements may increase social withdrawal and depression in patients with dementia.
Also Check: Color For Alzheimer’s Ribbon
Stage : Moderate Dementia
Patients in stage 5 need some assistance in order to carry out their daily lives. The main sign for stage 5 dementia is the inability to remember major details such as the name of a close family member or a home address. Patients may become disoriented about the time and place, have trouble making decisions, and forget basic information about themselves, such as a telephone number or address.
While moderate dementia can interfere with basic functioning, patients at this stage do not need assistance with basic functions such as using the bathroom or eating. Patients also still have the ability to remember their own names and generally the names of spouses and children.
Combating Sleep Problems Associated With Lewy Body Dementia
April 9, 2019 by Norma Loeb
Lewy Body Dementia affects approximately 1.4 million Americans, and is most common in individuals over the age of 50. This disease is associated with a host of cognitive changes, and symptoms often include a change in sleeping habits. If your loved one has been diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia and is experiencing trouble sleeping, it may be helpful to try the tips we share below.
Recommended Reading: What Color Is The Dementia Ribbon
Why Do Dementia Patients Sometimes Sleep So Much
Some people with dementia, especially patients in advanced stages, spend a lot of their time sleeping. As dementia progresses, the brain impairment becomes greater, causing the person to become exhausted with activities of daily living and other daily tasks and sleep more both during the day and night. For a person with advanced dementia, even a simple task like eating may be draining.
Also, some medications may contribute to your loved ones sleepiness. These include antidepressants, antihistamines, antipsychotics, and sleeping pills that may contribute to sleepiness.
Devoted Guardians’ Response to COVID-19
Devoted Guardians is actively monitoring the progression of the coronavirus, COVID-19, to ensure that we have the most accurate and latest information on the threat of the virus. As you know, this situation continues to develop rapidly as new cases are identified in our communities and our protocols will be adjusted as needed.
While most cases of COVID-19 are mild, causing only fever and cough, a very small percentage of cases become severe and may progress particularly in the elderly and people with underlying medical conditions. Because this is the primary population that Devoted Guardians serves, we understand your concerns and want to share with you how our organization is responding to the threat of COVID-19.
What Is Sleep Pressure
Sleep pressure is the increasing need to sleep after being awake for a long time. The longer a person has been awake for, the more likely that they will feel sleepy, and the more deeply they are likely to sleep. As a person sleeps, the pressure to sleep gradually wears off and they become more likely to wake up.
Some stimulants, such as caffeine, work by blocking the chemicals that make a person feel sleepy.
You May Like: Does Diet Coke Cause Alzheimer’s
What Causes A Dementia Patient To Eat More Four Possible Factors
Globally the dementia statistics continue to rise. A predicted 75 million people are expected to be diagnosed with the disease by 2030.
One in three elderly people dies from Alzheimers or another form of dementia in the US alone.
Dementia affects each aspect of living and poses hurdles that are rather unusual and challenging. Research indicates three of the main reasons dementia patients eat so much include:
1: Diminishing Taste Buds
As people age, their taste buds diminish. As their disease worsens and their taste buds weaken, the insulin levels in their brains can decrease.
Some dementia patients, therefore, experience intense cravings for foods containing high calories. They may prefer heavy or flavor-filled foods such as sugary sweets.
2: Changing Appetite
Also, dementia patients appetites change which results in craving unhealthy foods. If a patient overeats, they may eat inappropriate foods. They may even try to consume things that arent food, such as a napkin or bar of soap.
This is because they might not recognize the item or understand its use, and therefore they confuse it for food.
3: Forgetting Recent Meals
Due to their declining memory, dementia patients may forget that theyve recently eaten.
They may frequently ask or search for food. Also, they may be concerned about when their next meal will be. This leads them to eat more.
4: Changes in Mood Might Affect Food and Eating Preferences
Do People With Dementia Sleep A Lot
There is one question that comes up a lot when discussing dementia and that is do people with dementia sleep a lot?
It has been established that individuals with dementia tend to sleep too much especially those who are already in the later stages.
This happens at night and during the daytime as well.
Below we will tackle this topic focusing on the reasons that may cause persons with dementia to oversleep and what to do when it happens.
Also Check: Dementia Ribbon Colors
Things For Dementia Patients To Do With Their Hands
Seniors with dementia or Alzheimers disease often show agitation or anxiety through fidgety hands. Here are lots of ideas to keep their hands busy, reduce frustration, and improve their over all well-being.
Income Disclosure: I recommend products based on my personal experience working with seniors. I may earn a commission on items purchased from links in this guide. Learn More.
Seniors with dementia or Alzheimers disease may show agitation or anxiety through fidgety hands. Signs of this include rubbing or pulling at beddings or clothes, wringing hands, twisting fingers, rubbing hands together, and generally keeping their hands in motion.
Sometimes, they choose activities that are harmful, can cause injury, and decrease their overall quality of life. But, in this article, I hope to give you lots of ideas that improve their over-all well being.
My Mum Suffers From Dementia And Excessive Sleep She Sleeps During The Day And Sleeps Very Little At Night Is It Ok To Let Her Sleep All Day
If possible we recommend encouraging her to take fewer and shorter day time naps, at the same time and place if possible . Keeping to a routine full of activities can help keep her awake during the day, and work some way towards night-time sleep problems. Try regularly getting her up for short walks and maximise daylight in rooms. Sensitively wake her up if she does fall asleep outside of a routine nap time.
Read Also: What Color Ribbon Is Alzheimer’s
Exposure To Natural Light
Sleep disturbances can be challenging for both the patient and caregiver. Lack of sleep often results in a host of negative side effects, and especially so for those diagnosed with LBD. Waking up multiple times per night or failing to reach deep sleep may lead to an increase in delusions or hallucinations, and can also poorly impact memory and mood. To encourage restful nights, be sure to offer your loved one plenty of exposure to natural light each day. Spending at least 30 minutes outdoors daily can have a significant impact on health. Sunlight is essential for boosting Vitamin D levels and regulating circadian rhythms, and may help individuals of all ages enjoy a better nights sleep.
What Happens In Alzheimers Disease
Scientists believe that Alzheimer’s disease may be caused by an abnormal buildup of proteins: beta-amyloid and tau. Beta-amyloid buildup forms plaques around brain cells. Tau deposits form twisted fibers called tangles within brain cells. As these proteins accumulate in and around the brain cells, the brain starts to lose its ability to function properly, this leads to loss of brain tissue, and eventually, the brain dies. The tissue damage also causes the affected parts of the brain to shrink.
Initially plaques and tangles damage parts of the brain that control memory, thought, and language. Later they spread and damage other parts of the brain.
Recommended Reading: What Color Ribbon Is Alzheimer’s
Faqs About Dementia Sleep Problems
Caring for a patient with dementia and sleep problems is hard work. When the dementia patient is not sleeping well, it is very easy to become exhausted yourself. To give the best care, the carer needs to look after themselves. In addition to the following questions that some people have asked regarding how to get dementia patients to sleep at night, you should visit our guide on caring for someone with dementia.
Tips For Managing Dementia End
Because individuals with advanced dementia will often have difficulty communicating, it is important that caregivers keep a close eye on their loved one for signs of pain or discomfort. These signs may include moaning or yelling, restlessness or an inability to sleep, grimacing, or sweating. This may also signal that its time to call hospice or a palliative care team to help with the pain management.
If an individual with end-stage dementia is having trouble sitting up without assistance, hospice can provide a hospital bed or other equipment to lift their head.
Perhaps the hardest thing for families is when a loved one with dementia is no longer able to eat or swallow. Because an individual with dementia is unable to understand the benefits of feeding tubes or IV drips, they will often be incredibly distressed and attempt to remove them, causing added pain and risk of infection. Instead, focusing on keeping the individual comfortable. Supporting them with mouth care to prevent their mouth from becoming dry will allow them to make their final transition in peace.
Also Check: Alzheimer Awareness Ribbon
What Are The Signs Of End
It is important for caregivers to know when an individual with dementia is close to the end of their life, because it helps ensure they receive the right amount of care at the right time. It can be difficult to know exactly when this time is due to the variable nature of dementias progression, but understanding common end-of-life symptoms of seniors with dementia can help. Below is a timeline of signs of dying in elderly people with dementia:
Final Six Months
- A diagnosis of another condition such as cancer, congestive heart failure or COPD
- An increase in hospital visits or admissions
Final Two-to-Three Months
- Speech limited to six words or less per day
- Difficulty in swallowing or choking on liquids or food
- Unable to walk or sit upright without assistance
- Incontinence
- Hands, feet, arms and legs may be increasingly cold to the touch
- Inability to swallow
- Terminal agitation or restlessness
- An increasing amount of time asleep or drifting into unconsciousness
- Changes in breathing, including shallow breaths or periods without breathing for several seconds or up to a minute
Patients with dementia are eligible to receive hospice care if they have a diagnosis of six months or less to live if the disease progresses in a typical fashion. Once a patient begins experiencing any of the above symptoms, it is time to speak with a hospice professional about how they can help provide added care and support.
Alzheimers And Sleep Disorders: Expert Answers To 6 Common Questions
Sleep issues are a well-documented symptom of many types of dementia, particularly Alzheimers disease. This presents a serious challenge for families. If a loved one with dementia isnt sleeping, then neither is their caregiver.
Quite often, the lack of sleep is what first causes a family caregiver to consider placing a loved one in a facility, says Maureen Bradley, LPN, Certified Dementia Practitioner, director of Alzheimers care programs at several skilled nursing facilities run by Royal Health Group in New England.
Sleep deprived caregivers are often plagued by many of the same questions about their loved ones odd sleeping habits: How do I get Dad to sleep through the night? Why does my loved one sleep all day? Why does Mom get so anxious around dinner time? Dementia experts provide answers to these and other common questions below.
Also Check: What Color Ribbon Is Alzheimer’s
Does Quality Of Sleep Matter For People With Dementia
The quality of a person’s sleep gradually deteriorates as they get older. They tend to get less deep or slow-wave sleep, which helps to keep the brain healthy and refreshed.
Even though a person with dementia may end up sleeping more than a typical person of their age even as much as 1415 hours a day it is unlikely to all be good quality sleep.
Sleeping a lot can also be influenced by peoples sleeping patterns before they had dementia, as some people need more sleep than others.
I Care For More Than One Person With Dementia And Wonder How To Keep Dementia Patients Not Sleeping In Bed At Night Should I Put Them To Bed Straight Away
According to the Alzheimers Association, patients can spend up to 40% of their time lying in bed awake, this equates to sleeping too much during the day. If the patient does get up, dont try to get them back to bed. Try to restart a small bedtime routine instead of putting them straight to bed. Keep lights low, take them to the toilet, play relaxing music or read to them for a bit to calm them down.
Read Also: Ribbon Color For Dementia
Stage : Mild Dementia
At this stage, individuals may start to become socially withdrawn and show changes in personality and mood. Denial of symptoms as a defense mechanism is commonly seen in stage 4. Behaviors to look for include:
- Difficulty remembering things about one’s personal history
- Disorientation
- Difficulty recognizing faces and people
In stage 4 dementia, individuals have no trouble recognizing familiar faces or traveling to familiar locations. However, patients in this stage will often avoid challenging situations in order to hide symptoms or prevent stress or anxiety.