Preparing for Daylight Savings Time

Next weekend, we will all set our clocks ahead an hour as Daylight Savings Time starts.

For most of us, the extra hour of light in the evening is worth the price of getting one less hour of sleep on Saturday night. However, for those with Alzheimer’s disease, the seasonal adjustment can lead to a period of increased agitation and confusion.

Those with Alzheimer’s can be hypersensitive to light. Being in a well-lit environment appears to correlate with calmer moods and more engagement. For reasons we don’t understand, some Alzheimer’s patients experience “sundowning” in the late afternoon and become increasingly agitated and restless as the bright daylight fades.

So changing the clock just by an hour can cause significant disruption in this population. If you think the change may cause problems for your family, plan now for next weekend. Here are some suggestions:

Get More exercise. Make a point of getting fresh air and exercise during the week following the time shift. It is likely to lead to sounder sleep.

Avoid napping. If your circadian rhythm is disrupted, napping will extend the period of confusion. Try to keep the level of engagement high and if a nap is needed, keep it short.

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