Living with Dementia: Strategies to Boost Energy!
While we think of dementia causing memory loss and confusion, low energy levels are also common with persons living with dementia. Increased sleepiness and tiredness may be more apparent during later stages of dementia and could be due to circadian rhythm disorders (late afternoon confusion, sleep disturbances, evening agitation).
Lifestyle changes may help maintain circadian rhythms, which are established by patterns of life and darkness. Below are tips to increase daytime energy and promote less fatigue in your loved one. This is an important issue to address, especially when sleep patterns are disturbed in your loved one. When this is occurring your sleep patterns are also affected when can lead to chronic fatigue for you!
- Establish a daily routine. Start the day with a devotion or a slow stretch with your family member. This can help energize both to you!
- Make sure you and your family stay hydrated!! UTI’s and dehydration are common reasons for hospitalization as we age.
- Address possible depression. According to John Hopkins, approximately 40-50 percent of people diagnosed with dementia have depression.
- Talk to the doctor if medications are prescribed and assess possible side effects that may cause drowsiness.
- Lack of a balance diet and too many sugary foods can lead to vitamin deficiencies such as vitamins D or B that can cause fatigue.
- Increase exposure to light/sunlight during the day and early evening to help maintain circadian rhythm (UV exposure is the primary method of boosting serum Vitamin D levels)
- Promote positive sleep hygiene. Limit stimulants that promotes wakefulness such coffee, teas, chocolate and soft drinks especially near bedtime.
- Chronic pain is often understated in people living with dementia often because to person may no longer be able to express the pain with words. Heartburn, for instance can cause discomfort and result in anxiety. Notice and changes in your loved one after each meal.
- Engaging in activities to help minimize napping
- Avoid heavy meals (may cause GERD), but eat a light snack before bedtime as hunger can keep someone awake.
- Keep a regular schedule to main rest and maintain activity levels.
- Plan an active afternoon activity such as a short walk or water the flowers, but not too close to bedtime.
- Reduce stress and promote relaxation in the evening (listen to calming music together, back massage, guided imagery)
- “White noise,” nature sounds such as a gentle rain, and ocean waves may promote sleep.
Although the strategies above are for the person living with dementia, they are also applicable to help you stay rested and energized!
If you would like more information about our Memory Ministry, our Monday morning Memory Cafe, please contact Vicky at vpitner@firstumc.org.