Late night adventures, help please?

3GKS

My dad takes naps during the day (I don't think he should be) and then at night he seems to find a reason to get up. Example 1: waking us up at 2am requesting an appointment. When asking why, he struggles to think of a reason and then will say "my hip" or "leg". He has sciatica and we have been to doctors, he take medications and pain pills for it. Example 2 (next day): I hear him doing something in the living room, it's midnight, so I get up to find him fumbling around with the TV and his DVDs. "Dad what are you doing?" "I'm going to watch movies". Of course I explain that he was already in bed for the night and it's not midnight, please go back to bed.

These are just two examples. He complains daily that he cannot sleep, has pain (various places). Doctor said to stop sleeping during the day, then start aiming for 7 hours sleep at night. But as soon as the caregiver leaves at 3pm, he goes and sleeps... go to bed early at night saying "I can't keep my eyes open". We've already adjusted medications so that ones that cause sleepiness are at night. 

Suggestions?

LaurenB

have you tried taking him out for a walk after the caregiver leaves?  The fresh air might perk him up a bit and will help to wear him out closer to bedtime.  Sometimes PWD sleep because they are bored and have nothing else to do that they can independently find stimulating.

Fairyland

Could you get the caregiver to take him out for a walk? Or maybe the time they come back a bit then it’s dinner time or something. I myself can never stay awake in mid afternoon.

abc123

Hi 3G and welcome!

His night time activities are bothersome to say the least. I also deal with this issue with my mom. She sleeps a lot during the day. I think this might be a common problem for most of us. PWD often have problems sleeping, falling asleep and staying asleep. Is your Dad a candidate for adult day care? Hopefully others will come along and have good suggestions to help you. I’m sorry!