Changes I've noticed.

abc123

Parents were here in December for a visit. Mom uses a walker now and does really well with it where space permits. When she can't use the walker she reaches out for furniture, walls and doors to lean on.

She used to sleep for long periods of time. That was always the norm for her, even before Alz. She will say she is tired and I go through the routine of getting her settled in bed. Within 10 to 15 minutes she is back in the kitchen or heading down the hall to my room. She will also take as many baths as we allow. In between each activity she tells me she is tired and wants to go to sleep. BUT she doesn't stay in bed. She still has an excellent appetite but she's not sleeping. It's as if she has forgotten how to fall asleep. Has anyone elses LO's experienced this behavior? Now that they are back home, she is confused about the floorplan. She has basically moved to the other side of the house. She doesn't recognize her bedroom and bathroom. Could someone please shed some light on this? With all the changes Alz has brought on and I've learned to accept and go with the flow, this not sleeping is really mind boggling.

abc123

Geese! How could I possibly forget to mention this! She is also experiencing incontinence, not completely but close enough.

LicketyGlitz

It seems a lot of dementia folks have trouble sleeping, abc. I have a friend who's mom regularly stays up for over 48 hours - and she's tried everything to get her gal to sleep.

But that's the most extreme case I've ever heard of, so for you I would recommend your dad ask her doctor, or geriatric psych doctor, for a sleeping med. My mom takes a low-dose of mirtazapine which helped us all get a lot more sleep around here! While she still has some nights where she gets up around 2 am and wanders around for a couple hours before crawling back in bed, we don't have many!

Incontinence sucks... but I got used to it. Now it makes me giggle that it was one of my biggest fears about caregiving for my mom. There's so much worse than wiping her backside! I hope you and your dad have the same experience - initially horrified than eventually <shoulder shrug> "Meh."

There are great incontinence products available such as washable bed liners, pee panties...if you are looking for recommendations here's the ones that we use: https://www.stumpedtowndementia.com/products

Good luck to you and your mom!

M1

Abc the sleep disruption is very real and neurologically mediated, probably will require medicine to help. Seroquel/mirtazepine is frequently used for this...have you read about the folks in south America who have a genetic neurodegenerative disease where they lose all ability to sleep? This is similar....

abc123

Lickety and M1, thank you for the feedback! I appreciate it.  Lickety I checked out the site you shared, Dad definitely needs the doorknob covers to keep her out of the wrong bedrooms and bathrooms.

I Was thinking these changes were an indication of progression. What about the way she has to lean on things to get around? The way she reaches out makes me worry she will fall 

M1

Yes, I think you're right to worry about her balance also.  Motor difficulties do come with progression as well.  Is she having trouble remembering to use her walker?  That would be where the fall risk would come in, I would think....sorry it's so difficult.

Iris L.

Being away from her regular routine and environment can be very disorienting for a PWD.  She needs to get back to her usual routine, with no stimulation, such as from television or current events.  I am noticing the same changes myself.  

Iris L.

abc123

Iris, thank you for your input.

zauberflote

My mom did the reaching out for furniture as she walked too, even after she had a walker. I would see it and hold my breath, because if I spoke, she'd turn to look at me/hear me better, and I didn't want to cause a fall.

abc123

M1, does your LO take mirtazapine? I have been suggesting to my Dad to discuss Trazodone with Moms doctor. I think she needs to be in bed sleeping the same time he is sleeping, instead of roaming around the house by herself. 

M1

Hi abc, yes I just responded on another thread, she takes just 12.5 at bedtime and it has worked quite well.  She isn't delusional yet, but her sleep architecture has really changed.  She did not do well on trazodone.

Doglover1

Rookie here-

 Hubby has no diagnosis yet but will soon, waiting for appt. at VA for brain scan. In the meantime, I'm looking for tips for reminding him gently of simple things right now (shower, changing underwear, brushing teeth) without nagging, as he just ignores me after a while.

Thanks in advance!