As the caregiver of a loved one with dementia, you know that you have to help them navigate their day with a lot of hands-on assistance to make sure they are safe and comfortable. Dementia is a brain disorder in which a person loses more and more of their cognitive ability over time. It is a progressive disease in which there currently is no cure, so once a caregiver and their loved one have started traveling down this road, there’s no getting off. The loved one with dementia will continue to need more and more assistance to perform daily living activities, from eating to bathing to sleeping and everything in between. The good news is that senior home care can help. 

When Bedtime Becomes a Struggle

If you are also a parent, you might remember having bedtime struggles with your toddlers. Back in those days, you could often lift your child and bring him physically to bed if he refused, but with an adult loved one with dementia, that is no longer an option. Instead, you need to understand why bedtime has become difficult for them. 

  • Their natural internal clock that tells them when it’s time to be awake during the day and when it’s time to sleep at night may become mixed up and no longer be able to distinguish those time changes. 
  • As the sun sets, many dementia patients find this time of day most confusing. Called sundowning, your loved one may no longer remember where he is or what room is his bedroom. 
  • Low light and shadows can frighten some dementia patients. Your loved one may be more prone to seeing things in the shadows that aren’t there or becoming easily afraid when the lights are turned off because of the confusion it causes. 
  • Your loved one may be more sensitive to ‘normal’ noises like street noise or the television in the other room. These noises may make it difficult for him to fall asleep or stay asleep. 

Five Nighttime Tips for Better Sleep

  • Make sure food and drinks are conducive to a good night’s sleep. That may mean reducing or eliminating all caffeine after a certain time, or avoiding spicy food at night. 
  • Don’t allow any evening naps. If your loved one likes to nap, try to eliminate any napping within 6-8 hours of bedtime. 
  • Engage in calm activities at night. Save exercise for the day, and have calm activities at night like coloring, reading, or watching a calming show. 
  • Start and keep bedtime rituals. Having a routine each night helps your loved one prepare for bed. 
  • Make sure his sleeping area promotes good sleep. A white noise machine can help reduce outside noise, the temperature should be cool, and his bed should be comfortable. 

Getting Help During the Day

A long night of poor sleep is not only hard on your loved one, it’s hard on you, too. Getting assistance from a senior home care provider trained to work with dementia patients can help you get through those tough days. A senior home care provider can care for your loved one while you take a quick nap or rest for a bit. Senior home care providers can also provide activities that may help your loved one sleep better at night, like taking your loved one outside for some sunshine or encouraging physical activity.  

If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring Senior Home Care in Culver City, CA, please call Mom's Home Care and talk to our friendly, knowledgeable staff. Our number is 323-244-4789.