Taking care of a loved one who has Alzheimer's is extremely difficult. It takes constant work and supervision of the individual. A spouse or child can get worn out if they do not know how to cope with some of the new challenges that will surely come along.

One of the hardest things that comes along with Alzheimer's is a change in sleep patterns. In fact, it is estimated that as many as 20% of those diagnosed with Alzheimer's experience changes in their sleep patterns. The individual with Alzheimer's and the person taking care of them can get worn out quickly because of lack of sleep.

There are certain things that you can do to help your loved one get the much needed rest that they need. As a result, you will also be able to get the sleep that you need.

How to Help with Sleeping

• Avoid alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine. These substances will often contribute to the change in sleeping patterns and could make your loved one sleep less. By reducing the intake of these substances or avoiding them altogether, your loved one and you will both get better sleep.
• Reduce napping and late sleeping. Sleeping too much during the day will reduce the amount of sleep at night. Wake your loved one up earlier in the day and try to reduce the amount of napping. This will make your loved one more tired at night and they will sleep much better.
• Engage in physical activity. Taking walks, playing games, and many other physical activities will help improve sleep. Stop the physical activity around 4 hours before bedtime so that your loved one has time to wind down.
• Have a schedule. It is sad to say, but the worse Alzheimer's get, the more our loved ones are like children. Just as a child does better with a night time routine and schedule, so will our loved ones with Alzheimer's. Do the same thing every night in the same way such as watching a television program, going to the bathroom, brushing teeth and so on. Preparing for sleep and knowing that it is coming will help have better sleep at night.  

These are simple ways to help someone sleep better who has Alzheimer's. You will find that you are getting better sleep as well and will have renewed energy each day to take care of your loved one. If you need more help, there are many Alzheimer's home care professionals that can come and help relieve some of the pressure from day to day. To learn more, try contacting a company like ComforCare National with your questions and concerns.