How to Handle Difficult Behaviors

Possible causes:

Bladder or prostate problems, sleep apnea, sundowning or night waking due to dementia

What to do:

• Ask the person these five questions about insomnia to help you identify the problem.

• Mention the issue and the answers to the above questions to the person's doctor, to rule out or treat a medical cause.

• If waking to use the bathroom is the cause, cut back on liquids for three hours before bedtime. Avoid caffeine, which stimulates the bladder.

• Keep the path to the bathroom lit with nightlights -- so it's illuminated enough for safety without the full-on brightness of overhead lighting, which can disrupt the ability to return to sleep.

• Practice basic sleep hygiene for older adults.