Sensory Stimulation Helps People with Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia, accounting for 60% to 80% of all cases. It is a progressive neurological disorder that affects memory, cognitive functioning, and, eventually, muscular control and organ function. As Alzheimer's disease progresses, brain cells deteriorate. Synaptic connections, the information highway of the brain, are lost.
As yet there is no cure for Alzheimer's. Several promising lines of research are currently being followed. Hopefully at least one of these comes to fruition soon and Alzheimer's disease will become a page in the medical history books. Even if a cure is found soon, the 5 million plus people currently living with the disease in the United States, the estimated 30 million worldwide, will not benefit from it. It is important to do everything we can to enhance their quality of life.
One of the first symptoms of Alzheimer's, certainly the best known, is memory loss. There are many others, including sleep disorders, impaired logic and cognition, inappropriate social behavior, agitation and mood swings. Recent medical research shows that sensory stimulation can have a beneficial effect on many of these symptoms. Two modes of stimulation that show particular promise are bright light therapy and aromatherapy.

Light therapy can provide another addition to an overall therapy plan for people with Alzheimer's disease. Sleep disturbances and sleep disorders are typical symptoms of many forms of dementia. There are probably many contributors to these disturbances, but the main cause is undoubtedly the disruption of Circadian Rhythms.

Circadian rhythm is the psychological, biological and physiological period that closely approximates a day. It is the pattern, controlled by the brain, that puts us to sleep about the same time every night and wakes us up in the morning; the reason that our systems are confused by jet travel. It is the pulse of our being that synchronizes us with natures day-night cycle.

Alzheimer's disease affects the part of the brain responsible for circadian rhythms, the suprachiasmatic nucleus, which is located in the hypothalamus. It is the deterioration of the cells in this part of the brain that disturbs the circadian rhythms and causes the sleep disorders associated with Alzheimer's disease. Periodic exposure to bright light and blue light of the proper color and intensity can reset these rhythms restore more natural sleep patterns.

Natural sunlight is the best source for light to set and maintain these natural biorhythms. If you are caring for someone with Alzheimer's disease or dementia, provide as much exposure to sunlight as possible. (Sunlight also provides vitamin D, also important for cognitive performance and possibly for the prevention and treatment of neurological disease.)

It is sometimes difficult to provide an adequate amount of natural sunlight, especially as one loses mobility due to disease. There are artificial light sources that provide the color (full spectrum white) and intensity (5000 LUX to 10,000 Lux) necessary to have the desired effect. (Lights)

Certain blue light can also be used to reset these circadian rhythms. The benefit of both bright light and blue light therapy is more natural sleep patterns without drugs, or with fewer drugs. This means a better quality of life for the person with dementia as well as for his or her caregiver. (more)

It seems that almost anything that stimulates the senses is beneficial for people with dementia. This is supported by a lot of clinical study and is not really surprising. We spend a lot of time and effort stimulating babies and children; the same principle applies. Stimulation makes connections in the brain. This is the physiological part of learning. People with neurological diseases like Alzheimer's can still learn; the brain is a very plastic and malleable organ. Just as with children, learning gives the person with dementia a sense of pride and accomplishment. Provide as much stimulation as possible to give your love one as much purpose as possible. (more)