Alzheimer and Sleep

Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a type of dementia that usually has an onset after age 65, although early onset AD is becoming more common. In approximately 20% of the cases of AD, the first noticed symptoms are personality changes of either negative types such as withdrawal or apathy, or positive types such as agitation, or suspiciousness. The common symptoms in all cases are the gradual decline in memory function (losing current memories, and retaining older memories) and intellectual ability. Those afflicted do NOT have changes in personality from day to night, in what is called "sundowners syndrome."

Alzheimer's: Managing sleep problems

from MayoClinic.com

When people with Alzheimer's can't sleep, they may yell or wander through the house, waking caregivers and possibly endangering themselves. Caregivers soon become exhausted. It's no surprise that nighttime agitation and wandering are among the reasons many people with Alzheimer's are placed in nursing homes.

Sleep problems are common

Many older adults have problems sleeping, but people with Alzheimer's have an even harder time. Alzheimer's may reverse their sleep-wake cycle, causing daytime drowsiness and nighttime restlessness. And these sleep disturbances often increase as Alzheimer's disease progresses.

Eventually, people with Alzheimer's may nap off and on both day and night. Every hour may have periods of wakefulness and periods of light sleep. These naps replace the deep, restorative sleep most people enjoy at night.