A Place for Mom's Family

Research groups at both Rensselaer Polytechnic Inst.and Case Western Reserve have recently published that they may be able to help get the 'circadian rhythms' back closer to where they should be, by using blue light. They have been testing the use of blue light indoors, in the community rooms of local nursing homes and in VA hospitals with, they claim, favorable results.  If this is the case, this might be of interest to all seniors, and particularly those with Alzheimer's.

(Before anyone tries this on their own, be aware that studies have identified the times of day, length of time, etc, that are ideal - and that incorrect or indiscriminate application could be counter-productive).

Here is a link to an earlier, 2006 article from NeuroPsychiatry Reviews, on the subject.

In your experience, is there anything to this?  And if so, are there guidelines to practical and effective application?

Gertrude 

 Sleep troubles are so very common in the elderly, and pills present many complications.  Usually with effort, behavioral sleep strategies offer the most long-lasting improvement in sleep.  I cover these behavioral strategies in my Wide Awake Webinars at www.micro-sleep.com.  Fun and informative!  And very affordable.

 Thank you.

 Michael Schwartz, M.A.

There is a very simple  cure for this problem, which Young doctors don't experience yet, till they get older and are a senior, or on a diet and can't sleep.

It comes down to this.  THIN EYELIDS,  why this is when you get older your skin thins, also if you are on a long diet you lose fat all over your body,and including the eyelids.  To check this out, just put your hands over your eyelids, and see if they block out more light.  To solve this make sure your bedroom is very dark, and if not buy a good SLEEP MASK and if your room is noisy, get ear plugs, also what is good, eat a big sandwich, as when you do this your blood leaves the brain and goes to the stomach to digest the food.  Simple physics.  I know it works, because I am 76, and sleep like a baby.  When you have to go to a Hospital, take ear plugs and a mask with you, and you will sleep. To bad the medical profession can't figure this out, but then again most of them are not seniors. Have a goodnite.