Daylight savings can disrupt those living with dementia.

(Katie Dangerfield/ Global News) — As Canadians prepare to set their clocks forward, the impact of daylight saving time goes beyond the inconvenience of resetting watches and clocks. For people living with Alzheimer’s and dementia, the subtle but significant time shift can create disruptions in their daily routines, causing confusion and potentially worsening symptoms.

Sleep disturbances are common among people with Alzheimer’s or other types of dementia, including changes in sleep schedule, insomnia and wandering throughout the night, according to experts.

“Sleep disturbances can cause problems with cognitive function and memory consolidation,” explained Melanie Martin, an associate professor of physics at the University of Winnipeg. “With people who have Alzheimer’s and dementia… even that hour can cause sleep disturbances, which will keep them up at night and make them not follow their routine.” (…)