Senior Sleep Disorders & Sundowning
Sleep DisordersInsomnia, sleep-wake cycle reversal, dream acting (REM disorder), and dusk agitation.
Disturbed senior sleep accelerates cognitive decline and causes severe fall risks. Specialized care restores biological rhythms without relying on habit-forming sedatives.
- Sundowning: Heightened pacing and anxiety as dusk approaches
- Sleep-wake reversal: Sleeping all day and wandering all night
- REM Sleep Disorder: Punching or kicking while acting out dreams
- Brain master clock (suprachiasmatic nucleus) degeneration
- Lack of morning sunlight exposure
- Nocturia or joint pain waking the senior
- Nighttime wandering causing falls or tripping in the dark
- Sleep thrashing causing injury to sleeping spouse
- Morning bright light chronotherapy (10,000 lux)
- Non-habit-forming Melatonergic agonists & Trazodone
- Dusk lighting adjustments & bedroom safety checks