Staying healthy with sleep
We all need a good night's rest, but dementia can cause people difficulties in getting to sleep.
- Staying healthy with dementia
- Exercise and mobility with dementia
- Mental well-being and depression in dementia
- Eating well with dementia
- Smoking and alcohol with dementia
- Keeping warm with dementia
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- Hearing and eyesight
- Other health issues for people with dementia
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- Staying healthy with dementia - other resources
Staying healthy with dementia
A good night's sleep
People with dementia can become confused about night and day, and may get up in the middle of the night, thinking that it is morning. Things that can help include:
- limiting daytime naps (which will impact on their ability to sleep through the night) and ensuring a range of stimulating activities - someone is more likely to doze off during the day if they are bored
- avoiding caffeinated drinks such as tea and coffee, particularly in the evening
- taking some form of exercise during the day
- finding soothing and relaxing ways to encourage the person to sleep, such as giving them a warm milky drink (which does not contain caffeine) at bedtime.