Daylight savings time means moving our clocks ahead and losing an hour of sleep. For some of our older loved ones, losing that one precious hour of sleep can have an even greater impact if they are already dealing with dementia and sleep patterns that are changing. This is a good time of year to check in on how they are sleeping and how to help them get a good night’s rest.
A typical sleep cycle includes periods of lighter, dreamless sleep and then periods of REM with active dreaming. These cycles repeat several times throughout the night. As we age, our sleep patterns change. Most seniors complain that it is harder for them to fall asleep and they wake up more often during the night—on an average of three to four times each night. Many find that they are waking up earlier in the morning and the transition to waking up is more abrupt. Others may complain that they sleep more lightly and restless than when they were younger. Older people spend less time in deep sleep because of anxiety, discomfort, pain, dementia and needing to get up to use the bathroom during the night (nocturia).
Sleeping difficulty can significantly affect seniors, especially if they have dementia. Although their total sleep time may not have changed dramatically, the quality of their sleep leaves them feeling deprived and anxious. Chronic insomnia is a leading cause of depression in the elderly. And depression, in turn, disrupts the sleep pattern which can cause a vicious cycle of insomnia. Antidepressants may be helpful to relieve symptoms. Consult with your loved one’s physician.
Some medical conditions can contribute to poor sleep like restless legs syndrome, acid reflux, heart disease, dementia, and sleep apnea. Prescription sleeping pills can be used for a short time to break this cycle but only if recommended and monitored by their physician. Sleep medications can lead to addiction in some people, so sleep aids should be used with great care.
Here are some practical suggestions to help your loved one get a good night’s sleep and create a routine around sleep:
At Aegis Living, we wish you sweet dreams and a restful night’s sleep!
Respite Stays & Day Stays give family caregivers a real break—hours, days, or a few weeks—while your loved one enjoys a safe, enriching short‑term home at Aegis Living. Guests settle into a beautifully furnished private apartment and have 24/7 care staff and onsite nurses, medication management, and discreet safety technology (motion sensors, medical‑alert pendants, visitor check‑in) for peace of mind. Each day feels purposeful with chef‑prepared, all‑day dining and 200+ monthly activities—from book clubs and fitness classes to movie nights—plus full use of the community. We coordinate with your loved one’s physicians to mirror their routines and care, so the stay feels familiar. It’s also a smart trial run for senior living: meet neighbors, test services, and see what supported independence looks like—without a long‑term commitment. Choose a Respite Stay when you’re traveling or need time to recharge, when your loved one would benefit from structure, social connection, and great meals, or when you both want peace of mind while keeping options open.
Hospice & End‑of‑Life Care at Aegis Living is comfort‑first support for the final stage of life, delivered in your loved one’s private apartment by our 24/7 care team in coordination with a trusted local hospice provider you choose (or we can recommend). Together, we create a coordinated care plan that manages pain and other symptoms, oversees medications, and provides calm, dignified help with daily needs, while offering compassionate emotional support for both resident and family. Discreet safety measures and a reliable medical‑alert system bring help quickly; chef‑prepared, in‑apartment meals adapt to changing appetites. Families are guided through decisions and moments of closure so they can focus on being present in a peaceful, home‑like setting. If your loved one already lives at Aegis, they can remain in the comfort of their home, avoiding disruptive moves. Choose this level of care when curative treatment is no longer the goal and you want expert symptom control, hands‑on daily support, and a setting that protects dignity and prioritizes comfort, meaning, and time together.
Memory Care is specialized, secure support for people living with Alzheimer’s or other dementias who benefit from a calm, structured environment and round‑the‑clock expertise. At Aegis Living, that care happens in Life’s Neighborhood—an intimate, thoughtfully designed setting where 24/7 dementia‑trained caregivers and a nursing team on site seven days a week deliver personalized help with daily living, medication management, and mobility (including Hoyer lifts and two‑person transfers), while gently redirecting agitation and confusion. Days are purpose‑filled with science‑based cognitive programming, certified music therapy, and social activities; chef‑prepared meals are easy to enjoy and dining spaces and cues are designed for memory support. Discreet safety features like secured entrances, emergency pendants with fall detection, and optional motion sensors, prevent wandering and bring peace of mind, and visiting physicians and wellness professionals reduce trips off‑site. Families receive education and ongoing support. If your loved one is unsafe alone, missing medications, wandering, needs frequent cueing or hands‑on help with bathing or dressing, or thrives with a predictable routine, Memory Care offers the right level of care. For milder needs, our transitional Assisted Living can be a first step; for advancing symptoms, secured Memory Care provides the specialized, heartfelt support to help them feel calm, connected, and at home.