Dementia doesn’t just affect a person’s memory. It’s a complex group of disorders that can have rippling effects throughout a person’s life to alter communication, behavior, and more. This condition often leads to the need for professional care; over time, these symptoms can be difficult to care for alone.
Dementia also significantly impacts sleep patterns, though this can vary depending on the type of dementia in question. It can alter circadian rhythm and perception, often leading to excessive sleep during the day and difficulties resting at night. If you suspect your loved one is dealing with a sleep disorder due to cognitive decline, professional help is key to preserving their well-being.
How to Recognize Dementia
Dementia is often thought of as one singular condition, though this isn’t the case. It’s a complicated group of symptoms caused by a range of different disorders that all cause memory impairment and cognitive decline. These conditions, like Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia, can cause:
- Memory loss
- Difficulty with language and communication
- Disorientation and confusion
- Poor judgment and decision-making
- Changes in mood and behavior
At first, these symptoms can be easy to mistake for age-related forgetfulness. However, Dementia poses a key problem—this condition is progressive. As the condition worsens, the symptoms can become more and more severe, quickly beginning to impact your loved one’s everyday life.
This is due to how dementia affects brain cells. As dementia progresses, brain cells are damaged more and more, beginning to die off and making these symptoms significantly more noticeable. The signs that something is wrong become much more widespread.
Does Dementia Affect Sleep?
As dementia worsens, it can begin to affect sleep patterns. Many people living with this condition experience some change in their sleep-wake cycle, which can have long-lasting effects on their overall quality of life.
While you sleep, your body is recovering from the day. It repairs damaged brain cells, catalogs memories, and keeps your immune system functioning. However, as dementia progresses, this recharging period is interrupted more frequently. If you don’t address the problem, your loved one may start to experience sleep deprivation.
This can cause:
- Increased confusion
- Irritability and mood swings
- Memory lapses
- Reduced attention span
- Agitation and restlessness
- Daytime drowsiness
Even if your loved one sleeps throughout the day, this doesn’t offset the symptoms of a sleeping disorder. Your body needs a certain state called REM sleep to repair itself, and this is difficult—and often impossible—to achieve in short bursts of sleep.
It’s believed that sleep disorders caused by dementia develop due to how this condition disrupts circadian rhythm, making it more difficult for the brain to regulate sleep patterns. This causes fragmented sleep and the constant need to nap, leading to constant drowsiness or insomnia.
What is Sundowning?
Some people living with dementia even experience something called “sundowning” where dementia’s symptoms worsen in the evening, making it much more difficult to fall and stay asleep. Sundowning is a complex state of confusion that typically begins in late afternoon and continues into the night.
During sundowning, a person living with later-stage dementia may become more confused, agitated, or frustrated. It’s not entirely understood why this happens, but it could be due to:
- Tiredness
- Pain
- Overstimulation throughout the day
- Sensory impairment
- Mood disorders like depression and anxiety (commonly associated with dementia)
A steady schedule can often help prevent the onset of sundowning. Try to encourage a proper schedule for your loved one; this helps prevent confusion or uneasiness later in the day.
However, it’s important to note that dementia and sundowning aren’t the only causes of insomnia in seniors. The human body is complex, and though the sleep cycle is crucial, it can also easily be impacted by all kinds of conditions and environmental factors.
What Can Cause Insomnia in Seniors?
Insomnia is a complicated problem, and it often isn’t caused by one singular thing. It’s often a combination of factors that contribute to a decreased ability to sleep.
Insomnia often develops due to:
- Medical conditions like arthritis, chronic pain, and respiratory issues
- Medications for conditions like heart disease and high blood pressure
- A poor sleeping environment
- Psychological factors such as anxiety and depression
- Lifestyle habits, including caffeine consumption
If you suspect your loved one is dealing with a sleep disorder, it’s crucial to seek professional help. Whether it’s developing due to dementia, environmental factors, or an undiagnosed underlying medical condition, insomnia can quickly lead to sleep deprivation and worse medical concerns. Don’t leave insomnia unaddressed; instead, talk to a healthcare professional as soon as you can to get your loved one the help they need.
When to Seek Professional Help
Dementia is complicated, and it can affect much more than sleep. If your loved one’s cognitive condition is beginning to affect their everyday life, it’s time to take action and contact our team at Inspired Living at Bonita Springs.
In our community, we can give your loved one the care they need. Our experienced team is here to give your family the love and support needed to maintain their quality of life. Schedule a tour with us today, and remember—we’re here for you.
