Sleepless in Seattle?

It's common for people with Alzheimer's/Dementia to be restless at night and to have trouble sleeping. Older people often need less sleep than younger people in any case. Dementia can affect people's body clocks so that they may get up in the night, get dressed or even go outside. This can be very worrying - and exhausting, especially for you.

Here are a few suggestions you can try to prevent your loved one from getting up at night:

• Make sure your loved one has enough exercise during the day and that he or she use the toilet before bed.
• Try a walk before bedtime, a warm milky drink and soothing company before your loved one falls asleep.
• If your loved one wakes up, gently remind him or her that it is night time.
• During the light summer months it can feel like daytime even late at night or very early in the morning. Try putting a clock that shows whether it is am or pm next to the bed.
• Try putting up darker curtains or blackout blinds in your loved one's room.