Sleep disturbances are common in people with dementia. Their daily rhythm can be changed - they might be full of energy at night and feel sleepy during the day. The sleep can be disturbed with hallucinations or illusions, they may awaken, be frightened, or cry out at night. To help the person feel more comfortable the area should be kept well lit since it reinforces orientation and minimizes possible illusions that might be caused by objects in the dark or their shadows.
You may have noticed that stressful situations during the day affect your sleep as well. The same applies to people with dementia - calm and peaceful atmosphere with plenty of activity during the day encourages a calming night's sleep.
Take a look at the videos below! You will see some examples of how to deal with sleep disturbances when they occur. Please, always follow your local practice regulations and consider these videos only as an example to promote respectful care!