Alzheimer's Blogging:
Sleep is an important part of our life. We can not function very well when we are to tired. We can not think straight, and sometimes we can't even see straight.
Alzheimer's patients have trouble with their sleeping habits. They have their time clock mixed up and not sure when it is night or day. Sometimes they may be up roaming around all night, or sleep all day.
Most people require about seven or eight hours of sleep. My grandmother who will be 101 in April only needs six hours of sleep. A schedule is good to have, when to sleep, when to wake up, but when your loved one had Alzheimer's it is hard to keep them on a schedule.
I remember with my father in law, I would try and not let him take any naps, give him dinner at the same time, let him walk around the driveway like he wanted to and than have him sit and play cards at the kitchen table while the rest of us watched TV. I hoped to have him on a schedule as to when to be awake and when to be asleep. But it didn't work for him. He would lie awake in bed, waiting for me to leave so he could sneak out again.
As the caregiver it is also important to have enough sleep so you can deal with the aggravation of your loved one. You know they don't mean what they do or say, but without enough sleep, you can get testy yourself, and maybe accidentally taking it out on them.
I find for myself I cannot eat at night before I am going to sleep. I find I will be wide awake with trouble finding any shut eye and crabby the next day.
Check out this article on Alzheimer's Weekly: http://alzheimersweekly.com/content/easing-sleep-disturbances-patients-caregivers
Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
http://mariefostino.weeble.com
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About Me
- Marie Fostino
- I am getting old. HEHE but than I do believe that you are only as old as you feel. hehe
4 comments:
Dear Marie,
sleeping badly may also be a cause for the Alzheimer's. Try to get as normal sleep as possible, because even the fact that the illness is already in the family may trigger it even sooner itself, so please at least this way try to prevent yourself.
Sincerely,
Lykke
Hello Marie, I am a hospice RN administrator. I have created a special program for the Alzheimer patient and their caregiver(s). I have cared for a relative with Alzheimer's disease and it is truly a challenge. As far as the sleep I will only tell you to have the patient get as much exercise as possible during the day, not unlike a child, so that they are fatigued enough to sleep. You cannot be an effective caregiver if you are sleep deprived. Having a baby monitor may help you, night lights may help to prevent falls. An occupational therapist that is familiar with the disease process may be helpful to assess the living situation and make suggestions for safety. I have been very interested in supporting Alzheimer's patients and their families for many years. These are vulnerable patients and the families that care for them are at risk for increased stress, illness and injury. Congress will need to address this growing population in the very near future. Hang in there and if I can help just shoot me an email. clsifford@gmail.com.
Hello Marie, I am a hospice RN administrator. I have created a special program for the Alzheimer patient and their caregiver(s). I have cared for a relative with Alzheimer's disease and it is truly a challenge. As far as the sleep I will only tell you to have the patient get as much exercise as possible during the day, not unlike a child, so that they are fatigued enough to sleep. You cannot be an effective caregiver if you are sleep deprived. Having a baby monitor may help you, night lights may help to prevent falls. An occupational therapist that is familiar with the disease process may be helpful to assess the living situation and make suggestions for safety. I have been very interested in supporting Alzheimer's patients and their families for many years. These are vulnerable patients and the families that care for them are at risk for increased stress, illness and injury. Congress will need to address this growing population in the very near future. Hang in there and if I can help just shoot me an email. clsifford@gmail.com.
Sleep is a necessary part of our lives as during sleep, we have reduced consciousness and responsiveness to external activities. A 8 hour sleep is often prescribed to function at our highest levels. Not getting enough sleep can increase the risks of Alzheimer’s cancer, heart disease, obesity and diabetes.
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