Symptoms and behaviour

What is Sleep disturbance?

Sleep disturbance in dementia means broken nights, day and night reversal, or acting out dreams, and it is one of the commonest reasons families seek help.

The body clock is affected by the disease itself. Daytime napping, too little light exposure, caffeine, pain and some medications all make it worse.

Acting out dreams, called REM sleep behaviour disorder, is particularly associated with Lewy body dementia and can precede other symptoms by years.

Why it matters

A caregiver who cannot sleep cannot continue, which is why overnight care is often the first outside help a family accepts.

Sources

Where to check this, and where to read more. All external and all authoritative.

What we offer: Overnight Care.

Sleep disturbance where you live

The local guide on this, for each city we cover.

Related terms

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