Dementia UK, a specialist dementia nursing charity, has published a six-step bedtime checklist to help people with dementia sleep better. The guidance includes advice on when to close the curtains and turn on the lights.
The charity shared the checklist on X, formerly Twitter, noting that “sleep difficulties are common in people with dementia. A calm, familiar bedtime routine can help. We've created this checklist to help get you started.”
Six bedtime steps recommended
Among the six recommended steps, the charity advises drawing the curtains and turning on the lights before dusk. On the day the advice was shared, that moment was set to occur at approximately 4.50pm.
The full list also recommends checking the temperature of the person’s bedroom, spending time relaxing before bedtime—for instance, with calming music—and setting phones to night-time mode to avoid overstimulation. It further advises switching off the TV an hour before bed and supporting the person to have a warm shower or bath.
Why sleep disruption occurs
Dementia UK says several issues can cause sleep disruption for someone with dementia. These include a reduction in the sleep hormone melatonin, excess sleep during the day, pain, and the side-effects of medication. Disturbance to the body clock and confusion at bedtime—often called sundowning—can also play a role.
The charity says establishing good habits at bedtime and during the day can help people with dementia sleep better.
Understanding sundowning
People with dementia can become more confused and anxious in the evening. They may wrongly think they need to collect the children from school, or believe they need to go home—despite already being at home. Dementia UK says they may argue, shout, or try to leave the home.
The Alzheimer’s Association says sundowning may occur due to changes in the brain and progression of the disease, and it can lead to agitation, hallucinations, pacing, anxiety, and disorientation.
The Alzheimer’s Society notes that what may seem like displays linked to sundowning can actually be a way of communicating. Its website states: “Sometimes what seems like ‘sundowning’ could be the person trying to communicate a need. This could be needing the toilet, feeling hungry or being in pain.”
The NHS says there is no current cure for dementia, although medicines and other treatments can help with symptoms.
