Sleeping More Soundly: Practical Techniques to Support Individuals Living with Dementia
Sleep disturbances are common among individuals living with dementia and can contribute to increased confusion, agitation, daytime fatigue, caregiver stress, and earlier transitions to higher levels of care. This workshop examines common medical, physical, environmental, behavioral, and cognitive factors that may disrupt sleep. Participants will learn to distinguish expected age-related sleep changes from symptoms that warrant medical evaluation, recognize how different forms of dementia may affect sleep, and identify potential contributors such as pain, infection, medication timing, sleep apnea, unmet physical needs, disrupted circadian rhythms, and environmental conditions. The program introduces practical, nonpharmacological interventions, including daytime activity, light exposure, consistent routines, evening calming strategies, environmental modifications, orientation cues, and sleep-pattern tracking.
Upon completion of this workshop, participants will be able to:
- Identify at least three medical, physical, behavioral, or environmental factors that may contribute to sleep disturbances in individuals living with dementia.
- Differentiate common age-related sleep changes from warning signs that warrant medical evaluation or referral to a sleep specialist.
- Select at least three nonpharmacological strategies to support healthier sleep and wake patterns.
- Develop a person-centered daily routine that incorporates light exposure, daytime activity, physical comfort, and a consistent evening wind-down routine.
- Use a sleep-pattern log to identify trends and communicate relevant observations to care partners and members of the interdisciplinary team.
Presenters: Kelly Gilligan, LSW, and Nettie Harper, CTRS, Co-Founders, Inspired Memory Care
1.5 contact hours for New York State social workers, : Inspired Memory Care, Inc. is recognized by the New York State Education department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0432.
1.5 contact hours pending for CCM® board-certified case managers through The Commission.