Articles
Alzheimer's: Managing sleep problems
Why sleep problems are so common
How to promote a good night's sleep
What to do if your loved one wakes during the night
Common Alzheimer's sleep problems
Content
Common sleep problems related to dementia
Supporting a good night's sleep
When a loved one wakes during the night
Using sleep medications
Remember that you need sleep, too
Using sleep medications
If nondrug approaches aren't working, the doctor might recommend sleep-inducing medications.
But sleep-inducing medications increase the risk of falls and confusion in older people who are cognitively impaired. As a result, sedating sleep medications generally aren't recommended for this group.
If these medications are prescribed, the doctor will likely recommend attempting to discontinue use once a regular sleep pattern is established.
