The Importance of Light in Caring for People with Alzheimer's

Everyone knows how good it feels to get some sun exposure (though not without the sunscreen)! The sun helps the body make vitamin D, which is important for bone health, cardiac health, as well as preventing depression and more. What is less well known among the general population is the relationship between light and Alzheimer’s care.

People with Alzheimer’s often suffer from frequent sleep disturbances. This is often amplified with the phenomenon known as “sundowning.” Sundowning is a series of symptoms that people with different types of dementia experience from late afternoon into the evening. It is not fully understood, but there are certain symptoms such as confusion, agitation, and difficulty sleeping that are seen with many people.  Overall, sleep disturbances are likely due to a disruption in the sleep-wake cycle, or rather the circadian rhythm. This sleep-wake pattern is most influenced by the exposure to light.

Many studies have shown that regular exposure to light or use of light therapy during the day can help people with Alzheimer’s sleep better at night. One caregiver recently reported his experience with using bright light to care for a person with Alzheimer’s.

Bob DeMarco explains in a recent article how his experience being a full-time caregiver has led to many people asking him for advice. His recommendations come from his observations of who he cares for and what seems to be the most beneficial for them. One of his many tips for other caregivers is to use bright light when caring for people with Alzheimer’s.

According to him, his one patient Dotty has benefited immensely from exposure to bright light. Bob says that this exposure has helped Dotty to be present more, and he also explains that while he is not a doctor, being a full-time caregiver allowed him to observe constantly and test and analyze his theories. Testing his theory about light started with the observation that Dotty seemed to always sit or read in dark light. Initially he just attributed this to a personal preference or lack of awareness.

When they would leave for medical appointments, Bob noticed that Dotty often seemed a bit absent and “dull.” In the waiting room of the physician’s office, Bob and Dotty would sit in the well-lit waiting room for about 20 minutes, and the exam room was another well-lit room. After the nurse checked up on Dotty and by the time that the doctor came in, Bob noticed that Dotty’s mood would have improved. This period of transition occurred from the time they left the house, to the time when the doctor would see Dotty. Bob noticed that this was always a period of time that was greater than an hour. Eventually Bob made the connection that perhaps this had to do with the lighting in the physician’s office. This prompted Bob to engage in some of his own research.