For people living with cognitive impairment or caring for loved ones, sleep can become one of the most unpredictable parts of the day. But there’s more to the story. Understanding why dementia affects sleep - and how to respond - can help you manage these changes with more confidence.
This article will walk you through the common reasons behind sleep disruption for people living with dementia, and effective ways to promote a restful night's sleep.
Why Does Dementia Disrupt Sleep?
Did you know that changes in sleep impacts up to 70% of people living with Alzheimer’s and related conditions? These disruptions can begin in the early stages of cognitive impairment and often become more pronounced as the condition progresses. Changes to the brain and body are responsible for many reasons why dementia affects sleep.
Changes in the Body Clock
Dementia can interfere with the brain's circadian rhythm — the internal clock that tells us when it’s time to wake up and wind down. This makes it harder to maintain regular sleep-wake cycles.
Broken Sleep
People with dementia often experience fragmented sleep during the night, leading to excessive drowsiness during the day. This feeds into a difficult sleep cycle.
Sundowning and Nighttime Wandering
Another reason why dementia affects sleep is due to a phenomenon known as sundowning. This refers to some people with dementia experiencing heightened confusion, anxiety, and agitation when daylight fades. This can also lead to pacing or wandering during the night.
Medications and Health Issues
Pain, incontinence, or side effects from medications can also play a role in disrupted sleep patterns. Depression or untreated sleep apnoea are other common contributors.
These patterns can be exhausting for both people living with dementia and those who care for them. But there are effective ways to help.
👉 To understand Sundowning better, see this CareSide article with helpful tips
6 Practical Ways to Support Better Sleep
While there’s no one-size-fits-all solution, there are several research-backed strategies you can use encourage more restful sleep.
1. Stick To Daily Routines
- Wake up and go to bed at the same time every day. Structure and predictability help the body clock function more smoothly.
👉 See our essential article on Daily Routines for Seniors with Early Dementia for assistance with structuring your day
2. Mindful Napping
- Short naps (less than 30 minutes) earlier in the day may be alright, but long or late naps can disrupt nighttime sleep.
3. Encourage Gentle Daytime Activity
- Physical movement during the day, even light stretching or gardening, can promote more restful sleep at night.
4. Support The Body
- Treat any pain and help regulate circadian rhythms by morning sunshine and avoiding stimulating activities after sunset. Switch off screens, dim the lights, and create a peaceful wind-down ritual.
5. Choose Food & Drink Wisely
- Limit alcohol, large meals, and caffeine-containing substances like coffee and dark chocolate in large quantities. A light snack and herbal tea may be more sleep-friendly.
6. Make The Bedroom a Sleep Sanctuary
- A familiar, quiet, and softly lit environment encourages relaxation. Read our quick guide on Designing a Dementia Friendly Home for detailed tips on how to arrange rooms.
👉 For information on the types of sleep treatments available, see Alzheimer’s Association’s useful guide here
Caregivers: Tips for Evening Routines
Interrupted sleep doesn’t only affect people living with dementia - it impacts caregivers too.
If you’re a caregiver who's feeling drained, remember:
- You deserve rest
- Talk to your GP about resources, respite care, or in-home help
- Ask other family members for help, or rotate duties with other carers if possible
It can be helpful to review your current schedule. What could you change to encourage more peaceful moments during the day?
For some, this might be a calming evening habit like enjoying a relaxing herbal tea when you return home. Many others also use assistive technology for better peace of mind overnight and to save time on routine caregiving tasks.
👉 Don't miss our tips on: Healthy Ways to Overcome Caregiver Burnout
Using Elli Cares for More Restful Sleep
Looking for a helpful tool that helps promote restful sleep for you and your loved one? The Elli Cares app is here to help.
🛌 Enjoy calmer evenings with personalised routines
Create wind-down habits like reminders to turn off screens, dim the lights, or take evening medications.
🚨 Feel at ease during night
Worried about a loved one wandering? Our Safe Zones feature gives you peace of mind with instant alerts.
💡 Build confidence with daily consistency
Guide your loved one from afar and give them reassurance with gentle voice prompts.
To discover more ways Elli Cares can assist you, visit: www.elliapp.co.
Restful Sleep is Important
Is it normal for dementia to affect sleep?
The answer is yes. But with healthy habits, adjustments, and support tools, restful sleep is still achievable. And when nights go smoothly, the whole day gets easier.
💡 At Elli Cares, we believe that consistent changes can lead to meaningful, lasting improvements. For someone living with dementia, better sleep can lead to clearer thinking, improved mood, and a good start to each day. For care partners, it brings emotional balance and the energy to care with confidence.
