During the night, our brains are busy completing essential tasks like consolidating memories and organizing thoughts. Sleep is vital for our health and well-being because it maintains overall physical, mental, and cognitive health.
Inadequate sleep can have significant, negative effects on our physical and mental health – individuals with dementia and those who care for them at home often face these problems.
Dementia patients who don’t sleep soundly can benefit from moving to communities like Broadway Mesa Village for memory care near Chandler, Arizona.
Most people have suffered the agony of a sleepless night, but consistent sleep deprivation poses significant health threats. This article explains why sleep is so important and provides helpful tips to ensure that people with dementia get the rest they need.
The Importance of Sleep in Memory Care
Healthy sleep patterns allow the body and brain to recharge, reset, and set the stage for more productive days. Research has shown that people who don’t get enough restful sleep may be more prone to developing dementia: Less than six hours of sleep per night could increase dementia risk by as high as 30 percent.
Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep usually happens about 90 minutes after falling asleep; this stage is crucial for parts of the brain that encourage learning and memory. It’s easy to see how problems can develop when someone cannot stay asleep for that long.
For people with dementia, sleep is critical to keeping brains functioning at an optimal level. Sleep helps reduce inflammation and improve brain connectivity by allowing neurons to reconnect or create new pathways.
Individuals with dementia must be able to get enough quality sleep each night. Regular good sleep helps memory care residents maintain higher levels of alertness and more meaningful interactions with those around them.
Why Dementia Patients Don’t Sleep
Many factors can cause people with dementia and Alzheimer’s to struggle with getting adequate restful sleep. Their sleep-wake cycles are often disturbed, and they may find it difficult to sleep well at night and remain awake during the day.
Their sleep patterns are also affected by:
- Changes in circadian rhythms (the body’s internal clock)
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Pain or discomfort
- Feeling too hot or too cold
- Medication side effects
- Difficulty processing information, such as the day’s events
- Understanding the time of day or night
Additionally, some people with dementia may have trouble settling down when left alone. They may feel anxious, or their minds may wander from feelings of loneliness or confusion.
A regular sleep-wake cycle helps dementia residents by:
- Improving sleep quality
- Providing structure for the day
- Reducing stress levels
- Curbing their wandering
Establishing a regular sleep-wake routine can benefit people with Alzheimer’s and dementia. It encourages natural body rhythms and adaptations to minimize restlessness and agitation during sleep.
Six Tips for Helping Your Loved One Get Better Sleep
Use these six manageable steps to help loved ones achieve better sleep in their bed at night:
- Ensure your loved one gets plenty of exercise during the day
- Avoid stimulants like caffeine and alcoholic drinks later in the day
- Limit daytime naps
- Make sure the bedroom environment is calm, comfortable, and dark
- Establish a consistent bedtime routine, going to bed at the same time each night
- Provide reassurance if your loved one wakes up during the night
Practicing these strategies can keep your loved one with dementia feeling healthy and happy. But sometimes, the best way to help is to seek professional caregiving. In Mesa, AZ, near Chandler, memory care support is available at Broadway Mesa Village.
The Connections Program for Memory Care
The signature Connections program for memory care at Broadway Mesa Village is evidence-based and designed to fit the needs of those living with cognitive decline. Our team understands how to create a high quality of life for your loved one with memory loss and will work to help them achieve better sleep.
Memory care expert Dr. Sandra Petersen developed Connections using research-based memory care therapies. Our team of Connections Academy graduates helps provide physical wellness and socialization activities that give our residents more independence throughout the day.
Connections encourages brain neuroplasticity through physical movement, creative activity, and mindful challenges. It provides a way to create new pathways around damaged brain sections and is part of the comprehensive level of care we provide.
Looking for Chandler memory care? Discover our higher level of care.
At Broadway Mesa Village, our specialized service and focused approach provide a higher level of care than assisted living. We meet the unique needs of seniors with memory loss in a secure, calming environment where residents receive healthcare support and enjoy engaging activities.
Mesa and Chandler area families can rest assured knowing that their loved ones are receiving high-level memory care in our community. Our routines encourage sleeping through the night, with the added assurance of 24-hour supervision and support.
Caring for a loved one with dementia can be a challenging experience, but prioritizing restful sleep patterns and specialized memory care support can help. We are committed to elevating the quality of life for our residents and their family caregivers.
Sleep Well: Memory Care at Broadway Mesa Village
Do you want to sleep soundly through the night again? Consider the Connections memory care program for a loved one with dementia near Chandler. Let our team remove your worry so that you can rest peacefully. Contact us to arrange a personalized tour.
The answer to finding good sleep for a loved one with dementia near Tempe, Gilbert, or Chandler: memory care at Broadway Mesa Village.