Of course, there are lots of reasons for sleep issues – worrying you might have dementia could be one of them. That’s why it’s important to share your thoughts and feelings with others and seek a diagnosis via your GP if you think that dementia might be the reason for changes and new symptoms you might be experiencing.
But it’s very common to experience problems with sleep when you’re living with dementia.
Why dementia can affect sleep
When people are living with dementia sleep disturbances happen because of changes in the brain. Some reasons for this include:
Not recognising that the light has changed. When it grows darker this usually signals to our brain that it’s time to relax, settle down and go to sleep. If this doesn’t happen, our body clocks become disrupted.
Sleep quality changes – this happens to everyone with age, but the cycle of moving between light and deep sleep switches up more dramatically in those living with dementia, resulting in less time spent in the deeper type of sleep.
Medication – some types of medication can affect sleep.
Activity levels – for those who sit at home a lot, going to sleep can be tricky.
Restless legs syndrome, when legs become twitchy, achy or tingly when you’re tired, can make it difficult to settle down. Other health conditions can also cause restless legs.
Daytime napping. Some people find they are exhausted during the day and feel like they need frequent naps during the day, which means they are not tired enough to go to sleep at night.
How to improve your sleep
Poor sleep can make lots of symptoms worse, affect mood and overall sense of wellbeing. But the good news is that there are things you can do to help improve your sleep, such as:
Trying to limit daytime naps
Avoiding tea, coffee (any caffeine), alcohol and nicotine
Talking to your GP about any medications you’re taking that might affect sleep
Being sociable
Getting active – it’s best to exercise earlier in the day if you want better sleep at night
Making your bedroom as quiet, comfortable and dark as possible
Checking in with yourself – are you in pain or discomfort? Talk to a loved one about getting any niggles checked out by a doctor if you think they’re bothering you at night
Keeping to a routine. Try to go to bed and wake at the same time every day
Avoiding watching TV or looking at devices before bedtime
Heading outside in the morning – natural light earlier in the day can help your body to recognise that it’s daytime. If that’s not possible, make sure your home is light and bright during the day