New Study Reveals Hidden Link Between Sleep Changes and Dementia Risk
A recent study published in Neurology found that cognitively healthy women in their 80s who experienced increasing daytime sleepiness over a five-year period were twice as likely to develop dementia compared to those with stable sleep patterns.
Dr. Yue Leng of the University of California, San Francisco, led the study, which included 733 women with an average age of 82.5 years. Over a median follow-up period of five years, 22.4% developed mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and 12.7% progressed to dementia.
Participants wore wrist actigraphy monitors at long with both the beginning and end of the study to track sleep-wake cycles.
A wrist actigraphy monitor is a wearable device that tracks movement to assess sleep patterns and circadian rhythms. Actigraphy is often used in sleep studies to diagnose insomnia, circadian rhythm disorders, or monitor sleep changes in conditions like dementia, Parkinson's, and depression.
Researchers identified three distinct sleep-wake change profiles:
- Stable Sleep (SS): Sleep patterns remained consistent or slightly improved.
- Declining Nighttime Sleep (DNS): Nighttime sleep quality and duration worsened.
- Increasing Sleepiness (IS): Daytime sleep duration and frequency increased, and circadian rhythms declined.
Findings indicated that participants in the IS group had a significantly higher risk of developing dementia compared to those in the SS group. Interestingly, declining nighttime sleep was not associated with a higher dementia risk. Dr. Leng noted a connection between sleep and dementia.
Our study found that sleep problems may be intertwined with cognitive aging and may serve as an early marker or risk factor for dementia in women in their 80s.
Dr. Leng says that sleep is essential for cognitive health, as it allows the brain to rest and rejuvenate, enhancing our ability to think clearly and remember information.
However, little is known about how changes in sleep and cognition are connected over time and how these changes relate to dementia risk in the later decades of life.
The Growing Dementia Crisis
Dementia is a broad term for cognitive decline that interferes with daily life. Common symptoms include memory loss, confusion, difficulty problem-solving, and personality changes. Alzheimer's disease is the most common form, but other types include vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, and frontotemporal dementia.
The numbers are staggering. According to the Alzheimer's Association's 2025 Facts and Figures report, an estimated 6.9 million Americans aged 65 and older are living with Alzheimer's dementia as of 2025. Without medical breakthroughs, this number is expected to rise to 12.7 million by 2050.
Additionally, 1 in 3 seniors dies with Alzheimer's or another form of dementia, a rate higher than deaths from breast and prostate cancer combined.
The lifetime cost of dementia care for a single individual averages nearly $400,000, most of which falls on families through out-of-pocket expenses and unpaid caregiving unless the individual has Long-Term Care Insurance.
(Source: Alzheimer's Association, CDC)
The Cost and Burden of Dementia Care
Unlike hospital stays or doctor visits, long-term dementia care is not covered by health insurance or Medicare beyond short-term skilled nursing care.
Medicaid will pay for nursing home care, but only for those who have very limited financial resources. That leaves families to shoulder the financial burden.
Here's what long-term dementia care can cost today, according to the LTC News survey of long-term care costs nationwide median average cost of long-term care services can vary
- In-home care: $4,000 - $8,000 per month
- Assisted living: $5,000 - $9,000 per month
- Memory care units: $6,000 - $11,000 per month
- Nursing home: $9,000 - $18,000 per month
Long-term care costs vary depending on where you live and the level of services that are required. With costs rising annually, these expenses can quickly change your lifestyle due to lower income and depletion of retirement savings. The added strain gets placed on the rest of the family.
The Toll on Family Caregivers
Most people with dementia rely on family members for care.
Caring for a loved one with dementia is an act of deep love, but it also comes with emotional, physical, and financial challenges. Most families step into this role without preparation, often sacrificing their own well-being to provide care. Support, planning, and resources can make all the difference in ensuring both the caregiver and their loved one receive the help they need.
While done out of love, caregiving comes with significant challenges:
- Health Decline: Caregivers have higher rates of stress, anxiety, depression, and even chronic illnesses.
- Financial Strain: Many reduce work hours, retire early, or quit their jobs entirely, leading to lost income and savings.
- Relationship Stress: Balancing caregiving with marriage, children, and other responsibilities often causes tension and burnout.
- Lack of Personal Time: The demands of caregiving leave little time for self-care, hobbies, or socializing, leading to isolation.
According to AARP, unpaid caregivers in the U.S. provide nearly $600 billion worth of care annually—at the cost of their own well-being.
Planning Now: The Key to Protecting Your Future
Given the high cost and burden of dementia care, proactive planning is essential. Here's how you can prepare:
- Have the Talk Early – Discuss care preferences with your family before a crisis occurs. Where would you prefer to receive care? Who will manage financial and healthcare decisions?
- Put Legal Protections in Place – Establish a durable power of attorney and advance directives to ensure your wishes are followed.
- Understand Long-Term Care Costs – Use resources like the LTC News Cost of Care Calculator to estimate future expenses in your area.
- Consider LTC Insurance – Policies can help cover the costs of home care, assisted living, and nursing homes. The best time to buy an LTC policy is between ages 47 and 67, when you're still healthy and premiums are more affordable.
Use the LTC News Long-Term Care Insurance Education Center to learn about planning options.
LTC Insurance: A Smart Option
Many assume Medicare or traditional health insurance will cover long-term care, but they don't.
Long-Term Care Insurance isn't just about money—it's about protecting your family from the emotional and financial burden of caregiving. Many people are surprised to find how affordable coverage can be, especially when planned in advance. The real benefit isn't just paying for care—it's giving your loved ones peace of mind, ensuring they can focus on support and connection rather than stress and sacrifice.
Long-Term Care Insurance helps you access your choice of quality care, even at home, without draining savings or placing a burden on those you love.
- Covers a range of services – In-home care, adult day care, assisted living, memory care, and nursing home stays.
- Preserves savings – Helps protect retirement assets from being depleted by care costs.
- Eases family burden – Reduces reliance on loved ones for caregiving.
- Provides flexibility – Allows you to choose care options that fit your needs and preferences.
The cost of an LTC policy depends on age, health, and policy benefits. Buying early ensures eligibility along with lower premiums and better coverage options.
Take Action Now
Dementia is unpredictable, but planning for the future doesn't have to be.
- Pay attention to sleep patterns and other early risk factors.
- Have discussions with loved ones about long-term care preferences.
- Explore financial options, including LTC insurance, while you're still healthy.
Taking steps now ensures you and your family are prepared, financially secure, and able to make informed decisions—without the stress of last-minute crisis management.
Caring for a loved one with dementia requires more than good intentions—it demands the right training, support, and resources. Unprepared family caregivers often struggle with stress, exhaustion, and even unintentional harm to their loved one. Quality long-term care services provide not just professional expertise, but also the peace of mind that your loved one is receiving the compassionate, specialized care they truly need.
If your loved one has dementia, ensuring they receive the right extended care is essential. The LTC News Caregiver Directory offers access to over 80,000 providers, including quality caregivers and long-term care facilities. It's a free, easy-to-use resource to help you find the best care options.
If you're a care provider, you can claim your free listing or upgrade to enhance visibility through the LTC News Directory Business Portal.
If your loved one is lucky enough to have Long-Term Care Insurance, LTC News also offers assistance processing claims from any LTC policy. Partnering with Amada Senior Care, LTC News ensures that you and your loved ones receive quality care without worrying about securing their LTC Insurance benefits, including benefits for home modifications.
There is no cost or obligation for this service - Filing a Long-Term Care Insurance Claim.
Dementia is just one reality of aging. Being prepared for the costs and burdens of longevity will give you a better quality of life and ease the stress on your family.