How to promote a good night's sleep
Sleep disturbances can take a toll on both you and your loved one. To promote better sleep:
Think light. Exposing your loved one to a few hours of bright sunlight in the morning may improve his or her sleep at night. Light therapy with a specialized light box might be helpful, too.
Avoid caffeine and alcohol. Caffeine in soda, tea, coffee or other products might contribute to sleeplessness, and alcohol can contribute to confusion and anxiety. If your loved one insists on having a drink, offer a soft drink in a familiar cocktail glass or serve nonalcoholic beer or wine.
Manage medications. Find out what time of day your loved one should take his or her medications — morning for drugs that have a stimulating effect, and evening for drugs that make your loved one sleepy. Note that sleeping pills are generally discouraged for people who have Alzheimer's. These drugs can increase confusion and the risk of falls.
Encourage physical activity. Plan your loved one's days to include walks and other physical activities, which can help promote better sleep at night. Taper your loved one's activities as the day winds down, however. Physical activity close to bedtime might leave your loved one too energized to fall asleep.
Limit daytime sleep. If your loved one needs a nap, make sure it's short and not too late in the day. Have your loved one nap on the couch or in a recliner rather than in bed. If you think staying in bed too long in the morning contributes to nighttime wakefulness, wake your loved one earlier.
Establish a bedtime routine. Do the same things in the same way every night, such as brushing teeth, using the toilet, listening to soft music and rubbing your loved one's back. If bathing or dressing for bed is difficult, do it earlier in the day. It's also important to create an appealing place for sleeping. Make sure the temperature in your loved one's bedroom is comfortable. Turn on a night light. Place security objects, such as a favorite blanket, within easy reach.
Treat underlying conditions. If you suspect that an underlying condition — such as sleep apnea, depression or pain — is interfering with your loved one's sleep, consult his or her doctor. Treatment might lead to more restful sleep for everyone.
We had this problem with my mother-in-law. She reversed day and night, as well as forgot she went to the bathroom and was obsessed with going to the toilet over and over.
There are a few options - nothing easy. In dementia, schedules are one way to help, so make a rigorous schedule of when to eat, sleep, bathe etc. and hold to it and that may help. Another is to hire a caregiver for overnight so you can sleep. Another is getting a specialized doctor to manage his medications (we did this) and keep to the schedule of how to medicate as that may require a special schedule.
It may come down to that you may need day care to keep him active so he is tired at night or respite care or consider or care options. Caregivers must take care of themselves and consider their quality of life as well, as hard as that may be to consider.
Roses,
Our main problem which I did not stress enough is sleep. My Dad is up all night. Please share any suggestions.
I am in a similar situation with my 83 year old mom--alzhiemers patient. Her fixation is her mouth--she turns on the lights and then she sips water, spits, garggles, spits over and over and over again. We tried 25mgs seroquel--nothing, went up to 50--nothing, now we are up to 100mgs of seroquel and tonight I'm going to try a xanax .25 with it. We are desperate to get some sleep. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I hope you are getting sleep.
How is your husband doing now,I hope he is more comfortable,I also have found researching things on the net helpful,I am wondering if the New Presidants plan for vets and the new health care system he has proposed will help you
Yes, I have now decided to give him what he needs at this time and to deal with the future as it comes. The doctor has finally agreed to let him have the Xanax and also increased his sleeping med Seroquel. We are in the patient assistance program and pills and patch are sent us as they are used. I am now working on getting his insulin from company that makes it, and also his Crestor, since we still have to pay VA for these. VA will not take meds off their list to pay because he was not injured in the war, so after many years searching the net has proved valuable for us. Thanks again for rea ding my post.
Yes you do sound like an concerned ,helpful and loving wife ....I do think the stuff is addictive but I kind of see what the kids mean ,if he is happier for taking it then surely thats okay,I will always have some input for you,I have been sleep deprived for many years , have accepted it, if I get about 4 hours thats a really good night..I also have a family member with some problems involving Neuro-toxicity, which he is in denial of so I cant even get an evaluation,and it is somethin g that could be reversed if he stopped using the toxins at work,but you can take a horse to water but you cant make him drink...