Unveiling the close connection between Sleep Disturbances and Dementia: Remarkable Solutions to Combat this

Dementia, a common neurological disease prevalent in the elderly population, is likely to affect the brain in multiple ways. Interestingly, Alzheimer’s disease is clinically identified as the main dementia cause. Due to this, there is damage or decrease in the number of neurons and their interconnections with the brain. Apart from resulting in a decreased ability for thinking, remembering and reasoning, dementia can showcase several side effects. One such predominant problem associated with this age-related disorder is sleep disturbance. These disruptions tend to become more enhanced as the progression or severity of dementia increases. 

Research reveals that nearly twenty-five per cent of the population with mild to moderate dementia and almost fifty per cent of those with severe dementia suffer from sleep disturbances. This may be attributed to declining cognitive capabilities, various neuropsychiatric symptoms and poor lifestyle quality. Fortunately, there are promising interventions to tackle this problem both through medical approaches and healthy lifestyle changes with the support of caregivers and physicians. 

In this blog, let us explore the causes of sleep variations in dementia patients, the probable symptoms and some remarkable treatment approaches to overcome the hurdles. There are many reliable centres for Dementia Care in Chennai that offer the much-needed senior-friendly support, compassion, care and medical assistance to elders suffering from this condition. Athulya Senior Care is one such promising option that provides holistic personalized care thanks to its vast experience and learnings exclusively in the geriatric domain. 

Causes of Sleep Disturbances   

• Modifications to the brain structure
• Changes in sleeping patterns at night with ageing
• Excessive daytime drowsiness and inactivity
• Frequent bouts of short-duration naps in the daytime
• Presence of medically diagnosed sleep disorders like sleep apnea
• Comorbid conditions like acute or chronic pain, mental ailments like depression and health conditions like congestive heart failure, pulmonary disease, gastric reflux and obesity
• Certain medications 
• Consumption of alcohol and other such abusive substances 

Symptoms of Sleep Disturbances

Signs during Daytime 

·         Excessive napping, lethargy

·         Trips and falls

·         Impaired cognitive functioning especially in the context of attention span, concentration and memory-related issues

·         Abnormal behaviours like aggressiveness, agitation and resentment

·         Decline in physical functioning of the body

·         Decreased interest and involvement in daily life activities

·         Non-compliance to caregivers 

Signs at Night

·         Episodes of sleep apnea wherein breathing is interrupted during sleep

·         Sleep disturbances due to frequent awakening

·         Sleepwalking and wandering

·         Blabbering in sleep

·         Falls and injuries

·         Significant snoring

·         Abnormal leg movements during sleep or while lying down 

Solutions for Sleep Disturbances

Proper diagnosis of sleep problems in dementia patients can indeed be a challenge because of the inherent memory loss present in them and the lack of proper insights. Therefore, it is important to take the help of caregivers to better understand their sleeping patterns, bedtime routines, sleep and wake-up times. Fundamentally, two approaches may be adopted for treating sleep disorders in dementia-

 

• Medical Approach- Here, medications like melatonin may be prescribed for sound sleep depending on the type of disorders like insomnia, daytime sleepiness and Rapid eye movement sleep Behaviour Disorder (RBD). Additionally, the doctor may also discontinue certain medicines like opioids that worsen the sleep cycles. Co-existing conditions like respiratory problems and chronic pain that cause disrupted sleep are also treated by geriatric specialists with suitable medication and therapy.     
• The non-Medical Approach involves making simple yet healthy changes in the routines of dementia patients so that the quality of sleep improves. Some of the common strategies adopted in this context are-
• Increasing physical activity and exercise during the day
• Avoiding daytime napping
• Decreasing or withdrawing consumption of alcohol and caffeine in the waking hours
• Using a dark and quiet bedroom with a soothing ambience and familiar settings for resting 
• Stopping intake of drinks and excessive water just before bedtime
• Usage of equipment like Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) devices to combat sleep apnea problems
• Deploying bright light therapy to enhance sleep patterns and circadian rhythms (the twenty-four-hour internal clock of the brain for regulating sleepiness and alertness cycles)
• Preventing usage of antidepressant medications, caffeine and chocolates at night
• Creating a safe space for resting by eliminating potentially hazardous objects in the bedroom that are likely to cause falls and injuries
• Listening to soothing music before bedtime 

Certainly, a judicious combination of the above methods specifically tailored to the individual patient’s needs can effectively help in dealing with sleep disturbances. Athulya Assisted Living is a premium facility that assists such seniors to lead comfortable and dignified retired lives. Its well-crafted spaces are carefully designed with serenity, customization and fall prevention measures to provide a safe abode for the elderly dementia population. Besides, this set-up adopts a well-structured and organized approach that caters to the challenges faced by the memory-depleting illnesses of inhabitants and prevents mental confusion and restlessness.  

The in-house team at Athulya includes exclusively qualified geriatric doctors and well-trained nurses to assist senior clients with dementia. Personalized healthy menu options, round-the-clock medical assistance, meaningful activities like yoga, therapy, workshops and interaction with fellow residents are some of the amenities available here for comfortable and joyful ageing. Undoubtedly, it offers the best quality of life without compromising the safety of the residents. Athulya’s Transition Care is yet another magical boon that offers much-needed assistance and support to seniors with dementia after hospitalization, surgery or illness and significantly prevents caregiver burnout. So, please click here to securely navigate and seamlessly experience this challenging journey together with us confidently but independently. 

Please find the links of the related blogs as given below: 

1. https://athulyaassistedliving.blogspot.com/2023/09/challenges-and-tips-to-achieve-optimal.html 

2. https://athulyaassistedliving.blogspot.com/2023/08/tips-to-manage-concealed-elements-of.html 

3. https://www.athulyaliving.com/blogs/unraveling-confusion-delirium-vs-dementia-know-difference.php 

4. https://www.athulyaliving.com/blogs/navigating-dementia-serenity-significance-safe-environments.php 

Information: This blog is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as a substitute for any treatment or diagnosis. Seek professional help in case of any emergency. Athulya is not responsible for any consequences.