Are you willing to help me test this theory out?

Michael Ellenbogen

  If yes please add your comments here below and explain what and how you did it and the results you saw?

 

 

Ed1937

That's interesting, Michael. We don't have any intense lighting in the living room, and that's where we are before going to bed. My wife started going to bed early (around 7 or 8 o'clock), but I'm not sure if it was at time change or not. I'll be interested in what others have to say.

jfkoc

Don't forget to factor in the shorter days.

Tfreedz

Never did any testing but....my mom (has FTD) loves dim lighting and goes to bed around 7, she also doesn’t like being out in the sun, this was before dementia as well. I can’t get enough sun and want every light on in the house all the time, I also am a night owl, lol. I suppose I could try dimming lights and see if it has an effect on me, but I love being up late when the household is asleep. Darkness reminds me of my childhood when there was never enough light so I choose bright lighting as much as possible. Hubby used to work 3-11pm shift, he said he would laugh when pulling into our neighborhood because our house was so lit up with all the lights on in every room.

 Have you tried melatonin to get your body back into a natural sleep cycle, maybe it is off due to time and location change.

jfkoc

two interesting articles....also be a ware that LED lights can cause certain health problems

https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/light-therapy/about/pac-20384604

https://www.agingcare.com/Articles/Could-Caregivers-and-their-Loved-Ones-Benefit-from-Light-Therapy-189163.htm

Ed1937

https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/light-therapy/about/pac-20384604 

https://www.agingcare.com/Articles/Could-Caregivers-and-their-Loved-Ones-Benefit-from-Light-Therapy-189163.htm 

Michael Ellenbogen

Thanks, as the first article was very good. While I believe my issues are different it does reinforce that I am on to something that needs to be further investigated. In my case I am getting more sun then ever. I also need to do it at night. But this shows me that there is something that needs to be tested by others.

jfkoc

From what you wrote it sounds like you are more aware of the darkness outside. Dick seemed to have "sundowning" onece when he was in the hospital. I closed the blinds...it worked.

Absorbing the sun light?  Not sure you can do that from inside.

https://www.alzinfo.org/pym/feature/improving-sleep-and-sundowning-with-sunlight/

note to ED...I remembered how to do the link...lol

Iris L.

I realize I am late to this party.  I have been having a LOT of trouble with my sleep, but it is the opposite.  I don't fall asleep until about 6 am, even though I go to bed and stare at the ceiling for hours.  I get up at 1 or 2 pm, when the day is almost over.  I do have a light box, I'll have to look for it.

Michael, I hope you have found a solution for your sleep problem.  I believe disordered sleep is responsible for a lot of dementia behaviors.  

Iris