ABSTRACT
However, although sleep patterns do change
with age, these changes are more frequent and
severe in Alzheimer’s disease (AD).
Surveys of patients with AD in a hospital
setting and in the community have
emphasised the degree of disturbance of sleep
accompanying dementia. Rates vary from
67% of patients with some sleep disturbance
(Cacabelos et al, 1996) to 20% or less
(Cooper et al, 1990). One long-term study of
nursing-staff observations over 12-18 months
found that 24% of nights of AD patients in
hospital were disturbed (Bliwise et al, 1995).
