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Post No60...Does sleeping more help people living with dementia?

Posted on 15th October 2024 at 07:00
 
Intodution 
 
As dementia progresses, it is normal for people to sleep more. One theory for this is because, for those living with dementia, their brains are working so hard to comprehend even the smallest things, such a speaking, seeing, smelling, responding to a question; many of the things we can do quickly takes people with dementia much longer to process.  
 
s a result their brains are quick to tire, and often they can present as sleepy, sometimes also as more confused. However, what about the importance of sleep in the earlier stages of dementia? For this post, I have taken inspiration from an article in scitechdaily (By Cornell University, published August 16, 2024), and links to the full article can be found at the bottom. 
 
Memory Reset 
 
The opening of the article, which is about memory reset, states that ‘Cornell University research demonstrates that sleep resets the hippocampus, enabling continuous learning and offering new strategies for treating memory-related disorders’, which is later linked to supporting people who are living with Alzheimer's disease. The article goes on to mention that when we sleep our brain consolidates memories and stores them, enabling us to then learn new things the next day. 
 
The notion of memory reset is interesting, because of course memories (particularly recent memories) are one of the first things that start to disappear when a person is living with dementia. The study does not suggest that if a person with dementia sleeps more, they will retain their memories for longer, but does go on to say ‘the researchers believe they now have the tools to boost memory, by tinkering with the mechanisms of memory consolidation, which could be applied when memory function falters, such as in Alzheimer’s disease’ 
 
Would this benefit the carer? 
 
If you are caring for someone living with dementia, you are experiencing all sorts of emotions each day, including grief, loss, anger, frustration, love…the list goes on, and sometimes you can feel all of these in a short space of time. Throw in the physical side of caring, and you're faced with the real prospect of carer burnout, particularly if the person is also up during the night. 
 
It would be beneficial therefore if the person with dementia was able to establish a positive sleep routine, not just for their own benefit, but also for the carer. If the carer is more rested, carer burnout may not happen quite so quickly. 
 
Top Tip - using respite care, either at home or in a care home, is a way of avoiding carer burnout. 
 
How to support someone with dementia getting more sleep 
 
According to the Alzheimer’s Society, there are a few things that carers can try to help the person living with dementia to get a better night’s sleep. Some of these include: 
·        Keep to a routine 
·        Go out in natural daylight 
·        Fun and interesting activities 
·        Do not eat too late, and avoid caffeine later in the day. 
·        Make bedtime relaxing, and prepare for it early by dimming lights, closing curtains etc. 
 
Understanding a person’s medication / pain management is also important, if a person with dementia is in pain they might not be able to identify where, or express that, they are in pain. Looking out for any pain ques and using the correct medication is therefore also important. 
You can also consider using weighted products such as weighted blankets, but not one that is too big and heavy. 
 
Did you know...there are now studies suggesting links between memory loss and hearing loss. 
 
What if the person is in a care home? 
 
If a person living with dementia is in a care home, and are up a lot at night, this can put additional pressure of the staff as staffing ratios are reduced for the night shift. If the person is also disrupting other residents, the home may need to consider the persons suitability, or perhaps review the medication for the night time routine. Also, if a person is up all night, they will not be as able to take advantage of any family visitors the next day, or take part in daily activities, due to tiredness. 
 
 There are some studies that suggest that weighted blankets may help a person living with dementia in a care home to sleep longer, and fall asleep faster, following a sample completed in Sweden. A link to the article can be found here 
 
Conclusion 
 
To conclude, it is interesting that studies are linking sleep with not only restoring our energy, but also our memory function. We know that, currently, dementia is not curable, but there are studies that suggest by keeping your brain active you can potentially slow the progression of dementia, as you brain can still create new neuro pathways if it is being exercised. 
 
By keeping one’s brain engaged but also well rested, may therefore help a person who is living with dementia and their carer. Carers will at some point experience carer burnout, but anything that can be done to limit this, whilst also helping the person with dementia, must surely be worth a try. 
 
For the full Scitechdaily article, please click here 
 
Gravity Weighted Blanket with Cover
£165.00

Hand sewn in Europe, this high quality Gravity weighted blanket (with cover) is designed to help older people, including those living with dementia, to relax, feel calm, and get a better nights sleep.

The blanket insert has an insulating layer built in and you can now buy it as a set with 4 colours newly available for the cover, which is made from 100% sustainably sourced cotton on both sides. The breathable cover is hand sewn to the perfect size, providing warmth and comfort along with the positive effects of the weighted insert. The material has a European safety certification (Oeko-Tex Standard 100).

The weighted insert is connected to the cover with loops and ties. Please note the colours in the photo's are in the same order as they are listed in the drop down box.

Size:
Weight:
Colour:
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This weighted blanket is filled with high-quality glass microbeads closed in small pockets, which evenly distributes the weight across the body. The therapeutic weight promotes
the release of the sleep hormone melatonin, helping you to get to sleep faster and for longer.

The weight also provides a pleasant and nurturing sense of well-being, with the evenly distributed pressure helping you to peacefully fall asleep or sit quietly and relax on the couch. It helps alleviate anxiety and intrusive thoughts, calming the body and ensuring a restful night's sleep.

Thanks to the pleasant pressure, the body calms down more quickly and can enter the deep sleep phase. Importantly, their use does not lead to side effects like those associated with pharmacological treatments. In fact, 97% of our customers can’t imagine sleeping without a weighted blanket!

The deep pressure created by the therapeutic weight of our blankets relaxes joints, muscles and tendons. This effect is also known as “Deep Pressure Stimulation” because of its gentle but potent and even pressure that is applied to the body. This helps you relax both physically and mentally. In addition, it causes the release of the serotonin hormone, and at the same time lowers the level of cortisol (the stress hormone).

Breathable Cover

The cover is made from 100% cotton on both sides, providing better sleeping comfort during warmer nights. It is attached to the insert using 12 loops.

Cotton Layer

The insert of the blanket is quilted and finished on both sides with 100% cotton.

Insulating Layer

An additional warming layer made from a blend of standard polyester fibres and thermoplastic LMF.

Weight Layer

The primary weight of the blanket consists of glass microbeads, which are evenly distributed in special pockets. The gentle movement of the beads within the pockets allows the blanket to better conform to the user.

Sustainability

The Gravity weighted blanket is made exclusively in Europe, the cotton used is certified and comes from sustainable
plantations. The tiny glass balls inside the blankets are manufactured in Europe in a perfectly safe environment.

Getting the correct weight is important because it ensures the benefits of the blanket are provided but also comfort and safety as well, particularly in children or older adults.

Which weight is best for me?

It is suggested that users of weighted blankets chose a weight that is 10% of their body weight. For older or more frail people, you can consider reducing the weight by perhaps 1kg or 2kg. For example, if 10% of your body weight = 6kg, you might want to consider a 5kg or 4kg blanket. Please see more info in the table below.

Weight Blanket Weight Reduced Weight for Frailties
30-49kg 4kg 3kg
50-69kg 6gk 4-5kg
70-89kg 8kg 6-7kg
90-109kg 10kg 8-9kg
110+kg 12kg 10-11kg

The recommended weight of the blanket is about 10% of the user’s body weight. However, if you experience discomfort during the initial phase of using the blanket, follow these guidelines to help adjust to the weight:

Days 1-3 - 15 minutes per day
Days 4-10 - 1 hour per day
Days 11-20 - 2 hours per day
Day 21 and beyond - the entire night

The effects of using a weighted blanket depend on the individual characteristics of your body, so the differences may be felt at varying rates. In some cases, the first positive effects may be noticeable within a few days, but this time frame can extend to several weeks.

It is important to note that certain health conditions may prevent older people using weighted blankets. If you have a health condition such as one of those listed below, please consult with your doctor before trialling a weighted blanket:

  • Asthma
  • Vascular dementia
  • Osteoporosis (bone fragility)
  • Cardiovascular conditions (e.g., individuals with a pacemaker)
  • Respiratory system disorders
  • Hypertension
  • Obstructive sleep apnea

If you feel unsure about you or a loved one using a weighted blanket, you may be able to use a Lap Blanket.

All of our weighted blankets and pillows are hand sewn to order before being shipped for delivery to our customers. We aim to fulfil all of our orders within 10 business days.

We will provide you with a tracking number, and will always be available to speak with you should you experience any delays or issues with our service.

If you need to return one of our blankets, please contact us within 14 days of delivery to initiate a full refund. Kindly note we can only refund blankets that are not damaged in any way.

This product is covered by a one-year manufacturers warranty. If the product is faulty please return it to us for either repair or replacement, depending on the issue or defect.

Both the cover and the weighted insert can be easily washed in the washing machine. We recommend that you wash the Gravity blanket cover at a temperature not exceeding 40°C, and the Gravity blanket insert at a maximum temperature of 30°C, both on a low spin cycle.

Both the cover and the insert should not be tumble dried. After washing, hang up or spread out and leave until dry.

Do not iron the blanket.

Tagged as: Carers, Dementia Care, Dementia Care Homes, Weighted Blankets
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