What Stage of Dementia Are You in When You Sleep Most Of the Day?
It is common for Dementia patients to have irregular sleeping patterns. Some tend to sleep a lot, whereas others do not sleep adequately. Either way, I understand that you are concerned about your family member and want to help.
Dementia is an umbrella term for several neurodegenerative diseases. Mainly, Alzheimer’s disease and Frontotemporal Dementia. Both have similar symptoms, but Frontotemporal Dementia is diagnosed at a relatively young age (40s and 50s).
Moreover, both Alzheimer’s disease and Frontotemporal Dementia can cause a patient to sleep a lot (both during the day and night). You must consult a doctor if an elderly family member is showing the aforementioned symptoms.
What Stage of Dementia Are You in When You Sleep Most Of the Day?
According to a report by the Alzheimer’s Society, Alzheimer’s patients in the later stages of the condition tend to sleep a lot. They sleep for more than someone of their age.
Declining cognitive activity is speculated to be the primary reason behind increased sleep. In the later stages of Alzheimer’s, the patient feels tired and jaded all the time. As a result, they spend most of their time on their bed or a couch.
A study by Stuart J McCarter and his associates concludes that insomnia and excessive daytime sleepiness is common in patients with Frontotemporal Dementia. Note that the study does not mention at what stage the patient begins to show these symptoms.
Fragmented sleep in dementia patients can also affect caregivers or family members of the patient. As the disease progresses the patient begins to suffer from other sleep-related conditions like sleep-disordered breathing and restless leg syndrome. Here is some good news— excessive daytime sleepiness can be treated.
Daytime sleepiness and drowsiness can be managed upon medical intervention. Medical professionals advise caregivers to help the patient live an active and engaging life— which includes short morning walks, socializing, watching comedy movies, etc.
Not only that but non-pharmacological interventions have shown tremendous improvements in sleep symptoms, suggest a study by Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore. Constantine Lyketsos and his associate sleep scientists recommend bright light therapy for dementia patients who sleep a lot.
Summary
To sum things up, dementia patients in the later stages of the condition tend to suffer from excessive daytime sleepiness. As the condition progresses, their brain cells begin to deteriorate, making them slow, sluggish, and sleepy. Treatment methods like bright light therapy and stimulus control can boost their energy level.
my name is david, i have been taking care of a patient with dementia, he is 70 years old and he doesn’t sleep at night except for about 2 hours. then he wants to rome the house and keeep the rest of us up, “what suggestions do you have?
Hey David! I feel ya, taking care of someone with dementia is not easy.
So here’s what you can try: set up a chill bedtime routine with stuff like light reading or listening to relaxing tunes. Nightlights could help them feel less disoriented and make things safer.
You’re doing good! Keep it up!
My 77-year-old wife sleeps almost around the clock, and I have tried everything I read about and its been of little use. Sadly, coupled with dementia is her Parkinsons which zeroes out a number of things. She doesn’t (can’t) walk, can barely hold a book, her writing has become undecipherable, and she doesn’t even try anymore. It frightens me to read about the advancing stages, but my daughter and I said just the other day that my wife seemed to go down very quickly in the past month or so. She hates light !!! Screams at me to put out the light….sometimes as her only caregiver it seems easier for me to just give in. Sorry.
Mark;
You’re giving her comfort, not just giving in. My Brother-in-law Dan, is married to my twin. Age 67. Been in nursing home 2 years Dec. He is sleeping most of the time. Very thin & can’t walk. Jean works.
Try playing music she may like.
I know this is hard for you. Was at a home helping when a lady with Parkinson’s & Alzheimer’s. 2018. So I understand. Pray often and take care of yourself. “Father God please be with Mark & help him as her comforts his love. Guide him in all he needs to do and show him support with love. In Jesus Name.
Amen.” Joan Cramer FB Jesus pic
♥️Amen
Oh Mark, please don’t give up! It’s the hardest most loving thing you can do! I took care of my husband until I was forced to put him in a home. My mama passed one year ago from dementia. Now my 47 year old niece who lives with me, I’m72 and not in good health, is in early stages but it is progressing pretty fast. I pray for a cure and I pray for you and all caregivers! God bless!
Mark, I know how hard this is on the spouse. All I can say is to hang on, you are doing the best you can. As a caregivers you have to do a lot of things that go across your normal judgement, like tell white lies and change the subject.
My mom tells me I’m grown you can’t tell me what to do. But she’s incontinent. She gets around but very slow. Says she hurt all over. Will not go to her Drs. Appt. So no longer taking her Dementia meds. She sleeps a lot now. Only up to just eat or roam but less now. Her walking is not as steady, but the sleeping is concerning to my dad. But I took care Dementia clients before but I’m now my mom caregiver. She doesn’t like to do anything anymore including bathing have to insisted she take one. But I do bath when she allows me to do it but tells me I can’t make her. Will tell me she doesn’t feel like it. She has a walk-in shower now and she says someone in there because of hallucinations. She’s 82 yrs. old. My dad talking about nursing home but I’m trying to keep her out of there.
Bless you Tina for working so hard to keep Mama out of a nursing home. I put my mother in one and she declined rapidly. She was always scared cause of not reconizing her surroundings and not knowing help and nurses before her desease. I brought her Home…. Thank God he has given her to me for 5 more years and she still finds comfort in me being her Person. I will be her Person till She goes to heaven to be with Daddy! You’re Faith will help and give you comfort! Hugs JJ
I am sole caregiver for my husband (age 82), diagnosed with Alzheimer’s/dementia within the past year. He showed a sudden decline about six months ago and his neurologist added quetiapine (generic Seroquel) to his meds. A little over a month or so ago he began sleeping excessively, night and day, 16-18 hours. I am letting his neurologist know about this sudden pattern of excessive sleep to see if it is common for this stage of his disease or whether discontinuing the Seroquel might help. What is your opinion?
Hello i am currently taking care of my grandfather who the doctor says he is in the first stage of alzheimers . But i have been doing homehealth and hospice for 13 years and never in my life have i dealt with someone that is showing signs in all 3 stages all at once i dont know if i am just now seeing it or what but he is sleeping a lot and his blood pressure is staying low most of the time his color of his face and eyes changes all the time . can someone help me out on what i am i missing with him even my grandmother is so confused with all this .normally from what i have delt with in the past eithier they start off slowly or it goes pretty fast but with my pawpaw its diffrent. PLEASE SOMEONE GUIDE ME OR TELL ME WHAT YALL THINK
I think you need to go back to your neurologist so that he/she can recommend assistance with the issues you are facing right now. My mom died with dementia and now my dad has it. She was 95 when she died 3 years ago, and my dad is now 98. It’s hard, but you are strong. God chose you for this assignment. You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you and ALL of your help comes from the LORD!
Thank you! I am looking after my father who has Alzheimer’s and my husband who has Parkinson’s at the same time😕
Thank you for the scripture as I am a Christian. This so blessed me. Yes we can do ALL THINGS through Christ Jesus.
My mom almost seems like she’s drugged from medication. Is that a normal thing. She’s 92
My husband is 73. I spoke to our primary care Dr about some changes in him. Our Dr said it was black outs and he has dementia. However Our Primary Care Dr will not refer us to a Neurologist.He said he can do anything a neurologist can. I don’t think he will go to a neruologist as he was upset about hearing this diagonous. Of course he thinks he doesn’t have it.
My husband has started sleeping 12-16 hours at a time . He is also sitting up watching TV until about 2:00 in the morning and and sleeps until 4:00 or longer the next day. I wake him about 11:00 in the morning to take his medications and he goes right back to sleep. I’ve had a couple of friends say let him sleep then you do not have to worry about out breaks. I plan to go to our primary care Dr and talk to him . What are your suggestions?
Hi Sandy,
I’m so sorry to hear about what you and your husband are going through. It’s understandable to be concerned. It might be helpful to gently insist on seeing a neurologist for a second opinion or to address your worries with your primary care doctor directly. Your husband’s sleep patterns and behavior changes definitely warrant further investigation. Wishing you both strength and clarity during this challenging time.
Thank you for your kind response. I did speak to our primary care Dr. Thursday of last week. My Dr. insisted he will not recomended a neuroligist because he can do the same thing that they can do . I may have to make an appointment with another Dr in our area for a second opinion and let him refer us to a neurologist. The thing that bothers me the most is My husband doesn’t want to see a neurologist. I tried to explanin to him if it was cancer or heart problems He most likely would see a specialists. My husband also took his medicine the Monday before the 4th of July. He dropped his Donepezil on the floor by accident. By the end of the week he was definetly out of control. My daughter and her family were visiting from out of state. It was definetly not a pleasant weekend. But the rest of us got through it. I talked to the pharmists and she said missing one pill could do that. and it may take 2 weeks for him to get back to where he was and it did. Our primary care Dr. missing one pill should not cause that to have happened. Well, I got long winded , sorry about that.
Sandy
Thanks for sharing your story Sandy. I guess you should seek help from other family members. They may be able to convince your husband to see a doctor.
My husband was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s age 56 and now is 65. We went to a very good neurologist. The Dr. did a spinal tap. MRI and CT. Then we paid for other test that were out of pocket. There are many types of dementia depending on area in the brain, which was good to know for his care. The neurologists are better equipped to make things as easy as possible for the patient. My husband recently developed severe headaches and neuropathy in both legs. I am thankful for having doctors that are specialists in these matters. Finally he did not want to hear he had any dementia but we addressed it as ‘a small memory lapse’. You are a Bleseng to your husband.
my problem is my husband is not very tolerant with me. I am 74 he is 68 . I was diagnosed
with early signs of dementia after a brain scan indicating small blood vessel dieses which is asssociated with dementia. that was 4 yrs ago my cognitive skills have detriated. he shouts at me when I cant find the right words when talking to him. he is very concerned about me but I feel my problems are normal. I dont feel i have changed much.I doeverythig a normal wife would do however I have server ostioarhritis of the lower region of my spine which is extreamlly painful. my husband dose not like the idea of me hireing a cleaner buy I cant cope with it all myself. I dont think Ihave dementia . im just getting old.
Hi Pauline, salute to your dedication towards your relationship. I suggest hiring a caregiver who can make life easier for you and your family. Look for someone with experience. Thank you for sharing your story. Stay connected with us!
Hi Pauline, you need to speak to some charity. I don’t know what country your in. I’m in UK and maybe a friend family member would help. My husband cares for me it is not easy. He gets angry and I get upset. I try to do things. Sometimes it is all too much. I think maybe he does not want to accept how poorly I am. Maybe he thinks I’m being lazy. Does this sound familiar, but then I realised he was frightened. Some people act so differently when they feel frightened. If you have a carer to do bit of shopping cleaning you will both be happier. I don’t like spending money. I know it makes no sense just always made do, let’s not spend it on me. You need to write down what you want. Or tell someone so he knows your needs for the future. While you can remember, see solicitor or just give letter to another person. Remember your husband’s love before and tell him you know it’s hard for him, but you are worried and anxious and need maybe just one hour a week to start, it’s a way forward. Less pressure on him and more importantly someone you can talk to. I really understand sometimes it’s how it’s said. Hope this helps.
my wife is paralysed and bedridden. She has small blood vessel disease in her brain amongst other things. She says that she suddenly falls asleep – sometimes in the middle of a pain episode, and says that it is like she loses consciousness. Sometimes it is 10 minute “naps”
Is falling asleep the same as being sleepy (as in early onset dementia?) Or is it something different
I can relate to what you’re saying. My mother, 86 yrs old, has late-stage dementia and I am her primary caregiver. She sleeps in a recliner, refuses to use a bed, all day and night. She only eats a few bites of food a day but will drink or eat ice-cream. She doesn’t like bathing either unless prompted a little or has a doctor’s appointment. She talks nonstop in her sleep a lot and is very skittish of noises. She can barely walk as well due to spinal issues. She can also be a little mean at times but doesn’t know she is doing that. It’s very had to see my mother this way as she was always such a strong woman, but I love her so much and hate to go the nursing home route but my sisters and I leaning that way as it is getting harder for all of us. All we can do is pray, have patience and understanding of their illness. I only wish I could a find a local support group.