Bright Lights, Melatonin May Ease Dementia Symptoms

In a recent post I alerted you to a warning from the FDA about psychiatric drugs possibly contributing to the earlier deaths of seniors with dementia. The post encouraged caregivers to look at alternative means to controlling behavioral symptoms of dementia before resorting to medication, such as changing the environment.

A report published last week in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) and covered by the New York Times exhibits one easy way to change the environment of someone with dementia: bright lights. Researchers found that patients who were exposed to bright lights had fewer symptoms of dementia. The researchers, led by Dr. Rixt F. Riemersma-van der Lek, spent three and a half years studying the effects of light and melatonin on more than 180 patients in 12 residences for the elderly in the Netherlands. They found that the light appeared to reduce cognitive declines and symptoms of depression and that melatonin helped improve sleep and reduced symptoms of aggression.

This study reminds us that it is worth it to try other simple and less risky treatments to reduce symptoms of dementia before starting an anti-psychotic medication. Bright lights, melatonin, and other methods such as group cognitive therapy and life recall may not always be enough to reduce anxiety, agitation, and aggression, however. Many patients with severe symptoms will still need medication to reduce these behaviors.

If you have concerns about your loved ones behavior, talk with your doctor about all possible treatments. If you've had success in changing a patients environment and reducing behavioral symptoms, please share your experience with others! Add your comments below or post in the palliative care forum.