Are you taking care of a patient who has Alzheimer’s? One of the common issues that come with this condition is sleeplessness. This can cause tension in a household since the constant lack of sleep from the patient also affects your normal sleep pattern.
If you don’t know how to handle the situation, we recommend you seek guidance from alzheimer’s home care services long island. Alzheimer’s is a common disease in Long Island, where the Alzheimer’s Association is located as well. Home care services here have specialized caregivers who know how to handle such conditions better than any other person. Going to special organizations can help the patient sleep better and lead a quality life.
Apart from seeking extra help, you can also manage sleep problems in such a patient in other ways. Start by understanding the causes of sleep problems in an Alzheimer’s patient so that you know how to handle your loved one. This article has everything you should know about the relationship between Alzheimer’s and sleep problems.
What causes sleep disturbances in people with Alzheimer’s?
Research shows that age affects the normal sleeping pattern of a person. When a person has Alzheimer’s, getting quality sleep becomes harder. They may experience problems such as staying up late at night or waking up in the middle of the night and not being able to go back to sleep. This, in turn, causes drowsiness during the day and confusion in the afternoon.
If sleep disturbances in Alzheimer’s patients are not addressed, it can lead to behavioral problems. Such sleep problems are often as a result of physical and mental exhaustion in patients. A change in the internal body clock can also make an Alzheimer’s patient confuse daytime and night time. Apart from that, most Alzheimer’s patients are disoriented easily, making it hard for them to sleep all through the night. Increased shadows in a room or reduced lighting can cause fear in a disoriented patient.
How to manage sleep problems in an Alzheimer’s patient
- Treat any underlying conditions
Sometimes, some medical conditions can make it hard for an Alzheimer’s patient to enjoy a good night’s sleep. Most of the patients with this disease have an additional health problem that affects sleep. For instance, one may be experiencing pain from arthritis, urinary conditions, or anxiety, which affect their ability to sleep soundly. Identifying and treating such underlying conditions can enhance their sleep patterns.
- Come up with a routine
For you to help your loved one sleep better, you have to maintain a regular schedule for everything. This can help in reducing confusion. For instance, set up a specific period of activities such as eating, sleeping, and waking up.
- Engage them in physical activities
Physical activity is healthy for a person who has Alzheimer’s disease. You need to get them more involved in some light activities such as walks or meditation during the day. This can help them sleep better during the night and curb conditions such as anxiety.
- Work on their sleep environment
The bedroom of an Alzheimer’s patient should be comfortable enough to boost comfort all through the night. You can reduce fear in them by working on the lighting of the room. Make use of night lights and ensure that the temperature is comfortable so that nothing interrupts their sleep.
- Limit naps during the day
Most Alzheimer’s patients tend to feel drowsy during the day and stay awake at night. You can, however, reduce such unhealthy habits by limiting nap time during the day.
With these tips, you will be able to handle an Alzheimer’s patient easily. Visit the nearest Alzheimer’s home care services in Long Island and get your loved ones or friends to heal faster.
