As summer comes to an end and the nights become longer, it’s soon that time of year again when the clocks go back. Get prepared ahead of time for the change on Sunday 27th October. For the majority of people, changing the clocks can be a minor nuisance, but for people living with dementia it can be disorientating and sometimes cause anxiety, confusion and distress. 

As winter mornings and evenings become darker, people with dementia may find it difficult to differentiate between 6am and 6pm. This can disrupt their circadian biological clock and make it hard for them and those who care for them to get enough sleep.    

Not getting enough sleep can cause the person to become overtired, which can cause low mood and affect their ability to think clearly. They may also become irritable and distressed. 

4 tips to help people with dementia cope with the clocks changing

Prepare on Saturday evening

Think about having dinner and going to bed an hour later on Saturday, so that the person can still get their usual amount of sleep and wake up at their usual time on Sunday. In this way, the person’s routine will only be different for an evening rather than a full day.    

Routine

Having a routine during the day and at bedtime can help regulate a person’s disrupted body clock. Doing regular activities at the same time each day – for example going for a walk after breakfast, can help a person with dementia make sense of the time. 

Outside time

Going outside and getting some gentle exercise can help the person feel sleepier during the evening so they go to bed at their usual time. If the person is unable to go outside, the same effect can be created by ensuring there is lots of light in the home in the morning, or by sitting in front of a lamp or lightbox.

Auto-setting clocks

Alzheimer's Society have a fantastic range of radio-controlled and auto-setting clocks and watches available in our shop. Our clocks adjust automatically to the correct time, removing the necessity of resetting clocks and watches manually. This time saving and reassuring feature can be especially beneficial for people living with dementia.

We also have ‘Day and Night’ clocks which have all the features of a traditional clock, but also include simple day and night visual symbols to help people with dementia distinguish the time of day.