Survivingthe Night with Alzheimer's Disease & Dementia

Some common issues for families dealing with a loved one with Alzheimer's
disease are sleeplessness, night waking, wandering at night, and confusion
during the night time hours. Often, these problems become increasingly
difficult as the disease progresses. There are things a caregiver can do to try
to alleviate some of these problems, however, and although everything might not
work - it may be worth it to try and see what might help your loved one (and
help your household have a more peaceful evening).

There are things you can do during the day to try to "set up" a calmer night
time: Having a structured, active day is one place to start. By staying active,
getting some exercise (a walk is great), and avoiding daytime napping -
especially later in the day, a person with Alzheimer's or another dementia may
be more likely to be ready for sleep when bedtime arrives.

Often, an evening routine leading up to bedtime can be helpful. Doing the same
activities, in the same order can be calming and establish the expectation that
bedtime is on the way. It is particularly effective if things can "wind down"
and the person with dementia can relax prior to climbing into bed (If they still
enjoy a warm bath or a foot rub, this is a fine activity.) A bedtime snack might
be a nice touch as well.

It is important that the house is safe and the loved one with Alzheimer's or
other memory disease is comfortable. If you haven't already, safety-proof your
home by making sure that dangerous items are locked up or put away and that
hazards have been cleared. In the instance that night waking is an issue, safety
is paramount.

Remember to lock doors, windows, put away keys and try to keep other "triggers"
out of sight. As for comfort, make sure bedclothes are warm and appropriate,
have extra blankets within reach and make sure the air temperature is
comfortable. These are just a few ideas, feel free to experiment and take into
account the personality and preferences of your loved one. It might be helpful
to discuss the nighttime issues with a doctor or nurse to see if there me other
contributing factors or they may have additional ideas to help contribute to a
more peaceful night's rest.