Tag: managing sleep in Alzheimer’s

Sleep, that essential process by which our brains consolidate memories, restore energy, and regulate mood, becomes tragically elusive for many individuals with dementia. The intimate relationship between dementia and sleeplessness is one that medical science continues to investigate with urgency, as poor sleep patterns often worsen cognitive symptoms and contribute to caregiver burnout. As the population ages, a growing number of families find themselves grappling with the painful reality of a dementia patient not sleeping for days, confused and disoriented by night, and unable to find rest. This article explores in depth how sleep affects dementia, the stages in which sleep disturbances typically occur, the science behind nighttime behaviors like talking or wandering, and what sleep aids—natural or pharmaceutical—might safely support both patients and caregivers in their pursuit of rest.