Dementia is a disease that causes people to gradually lose their memory and abilities. Doctors have classified the disease in a variety of categories, including Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia. It affects more than 3 million Americans a year, with the average onset being 83.7 years old. Because it cannot be cured, it can be frustrating for loved ones who are caregivers, because they may not know what steps could help keep the patient safe or how much independence the person has lost already due in part to this condition which affects 800 thousand of Americans alone! Despite the many changes dementia can bring, one common problem area is sleep. People with dementia often have difficulty sleeping through the night and may experience daytime sleepiness. This blog post will explore some of the reasons why people with dementia have trouble sleeping and offer tips from one of the leading Orange County mattress stores for managing sleep problems.
Sleep disruption is actually an early sign of dementia in many people with the disorder. Although problems falling asleep is common among many older people, dementia patients often experience sleep problems. Their brains get confused and stop functioning properly, which causes them to have total waking blindness or confusion with no awareness of where they are at all times during the day in some cases leading people who know how much time passes before their loved one goes into dementia mode again because it is hard enough on family members without adding extra stressors like not being able to understand what’s happening around you when someone speaks directly into your ear!
Another thing you should know is that people who do not get enough sleep actually have a higher risk of developing dementia when they are older. According to a UK study, adults in the 50s and 60s who got less than an average of 6 hours of sleep per night were more likely to develop dementia later on, the average diagnosis being made at age 77. Sometimes other pre-existing health conditions such as cardiovascular problems or diabetes can contribute to these sleeping problems. It is essential for middle-aged people to be open about any sleeping problems they may be experiencing with their doctors so that the proper treatment plan can be implemented. When visiting mattress stores in Orange County, also be sure to talk to your mattress salesperson about getting a bed that will be easier for you to fall asleep on.
If you suspect that somebody in your family or somebody else who is close to you is exhibiting signs of any form of dementia, you should seek medical assistance right away. The symptoms can get drastically worse over time if not attended to properly, and unfortunately, many people wait until it is already too late. If a diagnosis is made, it is crucial that the individual with dementia is able to sleep as comfortably as possible. If an elderly person sleeps on a hard bed, it can give them physical discomfort as well as worsen their mood. That is why we highly recommend coming over to one of the Orange County mattress stores near you to replace your loved one’s bed and allow them to have the rest they need.