As Alzheimer’s progresses in your loved one, with or without Alzheimer’s care, behaviors will change, and his ability to interact with the world around him may become more and more difficult. One thing you might notice is that he has started to sleep a lot more.
Perhaps he gets up to eat his breakfast but then immediately wants to go back to sleep until his next meal. He might sleep so much that he no longer knows whether it’s day or night and then finds himself up in the middle of the night unexpectedly, creating confusion and chaos around the home.
Alzheimer’s Care Providers Can Help in Later Stages of Alzheimer’s
If your loved one is living with you during these later stages of Alzheimer’s disease, getting professional help from Alzheimer’s care providers is key to keeping him safe and providing you and your family the support you need. It becomes a 24-hour job that one person simply cannot do all by themselves without becoming perpetually exhausted.
Many caregivers become concerned when their loved one begins to sleep more and more often. They may feel that it’s a commentary on how they are providing for their loved one if all he wants to do is sleep.
Understanding Sleep Patterns in Alzheimer’s
It’s important to realize that excessive sleep in the later stages of Alzheimer’s is part of the natural progression of the disease for many. (But, also keep in mind that if your loved one is still in the early stages of dementia, too much sleep could indicate another health condition, so always have him examined by a doctor to determine the exact cause.)
For late-stage Alzheimer’s patients, excessive sleep can be brought on by the damage caused to their brains. As that damage increases, they become weaker, and everyday tasks can become exhausting. Simply trying to understand what is going on around them and what is expected of them can cause exhaustion, so once they complete a task such as eating a meal or bathing, they may find that they’re ready to lie down and sleep some more.
The Importance of Professional Alzheimer’s Care
While the good news is that you don’t need to worry if he’s sleeping for the majority of his day, you might need to alter his care, and that’s where an Alzheimer’s care provider can step in. They can help make sure he stays safe and comfortable while he rests during the day and help if he gets up in the middle of the night.
Since excessive sleeping may cause incontinence, you might now have your loved one start wearing incontinence products so that if he doesn’t get out of bed in time to go to the bathroom, he won’t be sleeping in a mess, and you won’t need to constantly wash sheets.
Meals might need to be easier to eat and for a shorter duration. Because he’s not as active, your loved one may not need or want as many calories as before, so adjusting his meal times to provide a quick source of the nutrients required for the day is important.
If you know activities such as bathing or going for a short walk in the morning will exhaust him, then be prepared for him to go back to bed after the activity. Keep his sleeping area clean and tidy so that it’s ready for him when he needs to rest.
Finally, enjoy those awake hours as much as you can. An Alzheimer’s care provider can help with those household chores so that you can enjoy your time together.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Alzheimer’s Care in Charlotte, NC, please contact the caring staff at Affordable Family Care.
Serving Raleigh, Greensboro, and the surrounding areas in North Carolina. Call today at (919) 676-1070
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