Should someone with Alzheimer's be allowed to sleep until midday, especially when they're awake late at night and won't sleep?
It's really tough when sleep gets flipped upside down like this — you're not alone in dealing with it. A myALZteam member once shared, "Mom naps all day and is up all night," which sounds very Show Full Answer
Should someone with Alzheimer's be allowed to sleep until midday, especially when they're awake late at night and won't sleep?
It's really tough when sleep gets flipped upside down like this — you're not alone in dealing with it. A myALZteam member once shared, "Mom naps all day and is up all night," which sounds very familiar to your situation.
Letting her sleep until midday can actually make the nighttime wakefulness worse. It reinforces a reversed sleep cycle, which is common in Alzheimer's. Here are some tips that may help reset her sleep schedule:
- Keep a consistent routine — try to wake her at the same time each morning, even if it's hard
- Encourage daytime activity — light movement or simple tasks can help her feel more tired at bedtime
- Limit late naps — short naps early in the day are okay, but avoid napping in the afternoon
- Keep evenings calm — dim lighting (but not too dark, as shadows can cause anxiety) and quiet activities can help signal bedtime
Aim for 20–30 minutes of light activity a few times a week, finishing at least 4 hours before bed. It's worth speaking with her doctor about this pattern. They can review her medications and suggest additional strategies to help get her sleep back on track.
July 30
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