Restoring the Rhythm: Leveraging Circadian Rhythm in Dementia Care

What if the key to improving behavior, mood, sleep, and cognition in dementia care is not found in a new medication, but in restoring something that already lives within us? This session explores the critical role of circadian rhythms and how neurodegenerative diseases disrupt the brain’s internal clock.

Attendees will learn how disrupted rhythms contribute to common challenges like sundowning, agitation, and poor sleep. More importantly, they will discover how to rebuild these rhythms using daily routines, strategic activity timing, environmental cues, lighting, and sensory input.

This session blends current brain science with practical tools that can be applied immediately in any care setting. It challenges traditional care models and offers a refreshing perspective on how to create more predictable, calm, and engaging days for those living with dementia.

Whether you are a nurse, activity professional, or administrator, this session will change the way you view your daily schedule and empower your team to restore a rhythm that brings comfort and connection back into care.