What type of sleep aid can I use for my mom with dementia who's having trouble sleeping?

I certainly agree with Christina28 about seeing a geriatric specialist. I usually recommend seeing one as the bodies of the elderly do not react to medications, etc. as that of a 25 year old football player and often GP's don't quiet get that part of the equation. I still suggest you approach the idea of seeing an endocrinologist with a geriatric specialist for more precise testing.

Christina28, I am very happy your mother was taken off the Amiben and you….and she……have discovered something that works. I found it to be trial and error with the fragility of the elderly system and what works for one, doesn’t for another. The best we can do is keep plugging along and trying to find the solution that best suits each individual. I often wonder if the success or failure of a medication doesn’t all hinge on the part of the brain that is blocked by the disease process and that is why there is no easy, across the board answer. I think your suggestion to consult with a Geriatric Psychiatrist is a good one and s/he will have a better understanding of how medications work on the elder brain. It certainly proved helpful with your mother.

Thank you Yellowfever for you kind words of condolence. I do miss my mother everyday,

Manyblessings and Christina28:
thanks for your suggestions. I am sure all caregivers can relate that the only person that understands whats going on is the caregivers. They are with there loved ones day in and day out. So they know when something is just "off". Geriatric Psy. is one thing I have put on my "to do" list. Moms psych now is not doing his job in my eyes. She seems him once/3mths for a 5-10 min.visit. All he does is rewrite her scripts. If I ask ? he actually looks at his watch like me and mom are not important. He makes me feel like we are in line at the deli counter.. now serving number 1......lol. I googled and found only one certified credential geriatric psych. so far in area about 25 -30 miles away.At this point if I can find a "REAL DOCTOR" I would drive almost any distance. The local PCH that I mentioned about doing daycare for mom suggested their house doctor. From what I am told he is the house doctor at several PCH/NH in area and he primary deals with elderly. So I am seriously considering in checking him out too, whats it really gonna hurt.
Today was a bad day for her!!! She was so confused probably cause her anxiety was in high gear all day! I tried to do our flash card game. She usually does pretty good but tonite was bad she couldn't tell me what simple pictures like a "cat" even was. I always ask her to point to parts of her face and such. She couldn't point to her nose or ears. I also noticed her squinting a good bit today. I never seen her do that before.
To anyone that reads my thoughts here. I don't want you to think that I want mom so sedated shes in a stuper. I just want to get her to stop pacing, her heart to stop pounding out of her chest and for her to stop digging at her skin. I know lately that I have had great difficulties with her bathroom habits which in itself drives me insane but for a 66 yr old women to hardly ever sleep is of more concern!!!
I will keep ya posted if I find anything out. Thanks for taking the time to read my post and responding. I appreciate your help!!! thanks again,

Manyblessings, thanks for suggesting the endocrinologist I will definetly put that on my to do list also. As well as check on that blood panel suggested if she has or hasn't had one!!

This is long and I am sorry, but I am truly concerned about you, Yellowfeever, and what you have on your plate.

WOW, it sure sounds like you are having a time with your mom. Did I catch it correctly and she is only 66? That is young!! You can’t be very old if she is 66. I am only 62 and 66 seems so young. Geesh, I remember when it seemed antiquated. :-? I was diagnosed with the Grave’s when I was 59, so it is something that can hit any age. I still think your mother has an imbalance to be so wired all the time.

I completely understand about not wanting to put her into a stupor. I went through those same frustrations with my mom. All you want to do is give them…….and yourself……….peace and rest. The difference being, my mother’s mind was torturing her and she “thought” she had to take care of someone or unfinished business that seemed so real to her. There was no stopping the frustrations she was experiencing and I just wanted to find something to give her peace in her tormented world. You didn’t say anything about your mother stating she “had” to go somewhere or “do” something, but that she seems to have this innate need to move. Which, to me, sounds like it is primarily her “body” that is going a million miles an hour and not her brain sending her on an imaginary mission. Not sure I am explaining myself very well, but there is a definite difference between the two.

BTW, when you say, “I have had great difficulties with her bathroom habits”. When my insides were going a million miles a minute, my colon was also in hyper drive and I had diarrhea to go along with everything else. My Mom had a bowel resection and we dealt with a sensitive colon. Are we having fun yet? Nothing worse than cleaning up after those accidents!!! EWE!

Your psych doc sounds worthless and maybe starting with the house doctor for the area PCH/NH facilities might help find answers. At least, he deals with the elderly on a daily basis. One would hope he has more applicable information and knowledge.

You said your mother is having trouble recognizing familiar objects. I very clearly remember the night I was playing “Bananagrams” with my mother and instead of words, she started making “pictures” with the tiles. BTW, that is a terrific game because you both are challenged, work at your own pace and can find it interesting. Anyway, up until that night, Mom was able, with some help, to make words. It was the beginning of her rapidly losing ground. Not that I am suggesting that is what is happening with your mother but, I would get her in to be evaluated as soon as you can because if she does, in fact, have hyperthyroid, it will also elevate her blood pressure which can lead to further brain damage, glaucoma and macular degeneration progression. You mentioned she was exhibiting problems with vision now too.

Also, how are her kidneys? My mother had stage 4 renal disease and one of the accompanying problems with that can be intense itching. Mom scratched a 4 inch patch of her head bald. She also complained and scratched her arms and the rest of her body at times due to itching. Tried different medications to giver her relief there too. If your mother’s adrenal glands are involved, they sit right on the kidneys and can be creating some of the problems as well. How is her fluid intake? You said her urine is strong, All this could be related.

I am NOT trying to diagnosis your mother or tell you what to do BY ANY MEANS!!! I am just concerned and passing along what I have experienced because what you are saying sounds familiar. I know how helpless I felt so many times and was extremely happy to read any and all suggestions from others who were walking the same path as my shoes. As you so aptly said, “I am sure all caregivers can relate that the only person that understands whats going on is the caregivers.” And all too often, we feel like we are all alone out here and even the medical profession has left us high and dry to go it alone. Seems no one truly understands or has a clue what is happening with our loved ones.

I hope and pray you will find knowledgeable physicians soon to help both you and your mother. I know it isn’t easy and you must be exhausted and wearing very thin. If nothing else, take advantage of the respite help that is out there! You need time to you, if only to sleep!! I know I would have been in a fetal position under the bed and locked away long ago if it weren’t for the 16 glorious hours a week Hospice stayed with Mom. Caring for anyone who is ill is exhausting enough, but trying to care of someone who is not only ill but not thinking clearly is beyond comprehension. God bless you for the love you are giving your mother and my you be given the strength to deal with all you are going through right now. Please know you are not alone and we, who are and have been there, are here to empathize, offering support and comfort as much as possible

Manyblessings,
Yes mom is 66 and I am 32. Moms father who also had dementia/Alz was also in his early to mid 60's when he started to show symptoms as well. So, this is why I am so bothered by knowing exactly whats going on. If there is something hereditary going on then we need to know.
You asked me if mom "had" or "go" need with her constantly moving. Once in a while she says she "needs" to go home to check on her mom. So for the most part there is no reasoning to the pacing. She paces at times like shes in a trace.. she does this when she is wide awake. So I know its not sleepwalking. I don't know how else to explain it. I sometimes wonder since she spent her life being anxious and OCD the movement is still there but the action of what to do is gone. I have tried to give her small tasks like a dust cloth, broom,basket of clothes etc...thought that would help. But she has ZERO attention span for that. It will only last for minutes and she is back pacing.Since we live in her home. I have adopted her cleaning rituals(she had a day to day cleaning routine and it used to drive me crazy when I was a kid). It sort of helps sometimes, like I would tell her its "Friday" and ask What needs to be done?? She knows that every Fri. she did her "Fridays Cleaning" and Windows. She will calm down some when she helps BUT than the anxiety take control of her. She is at war with herself and it is so sad to watch her being ate alive by the anxiety more so than the dementia!!
You asked how her fluid intake was? She drinks for the most part well. A while back ago, I got her a sippy cup w/ straw. So it makes it easier to get track of her intact. She mainly drinks water(she loves that flavored stuff) along with juice and milk. Only once in a great while I will treat her to a cup of coffee.
You mentioned about moms bathroom issues. The sensation of "WHEN" is there but "WHERE" is the problem. She will go anywhere she sees fit. She has been wearing depends for a while.I have introduced diapers with tabs at nite. I told her they were special underpants that she was aloud to go in and she was okay with that. am slowly getting a grasp on that. I took some suggestions by others on here. I made her a one piece Pj to wear at night that she can't strip off. I am also working on taking a couple of her sweatsuits and sewing the top and bottom together with opening in back to make them one piece too. She will actually tell me now that she needs to "go", along with me asking her periodically.Saving me some sanity of scrubbing up messes all the time.
You don't know how much I appreciate your understanding and concern. I was in so much despair and then I feel God guided me to this website. To make me understand that I am NOT alone and its okay to get frustrated.
HAVE A GREAT DAY!!!!

I am SOOOOOOOOOOO glad you made her unstrippable pajamas!!!! Good luck, the pacing isnt a comfortable pacing usually, an antidepressant and or depakote work, I fought it for a year, she is now on a good cocktail of drugs but sometimes too tired.
Luvmom

Be careful with Tylenol PM. It has benadryl, which can increase agitation and hallucinations in those with dementia; it also can increase oral secretions, which can cause lung problems. My aunt (94) occasionally goes up to 36 hours without sleep - she stays in her room arranging and rearranging her purse. I did give her the Tylenol PM to force her to sleep, because lack of sleep can also increase agitation and hallucinations. With these folks, it often seems like lose-lose. This weekend I'm going to try a melatonin based sleep aid.

quakerite, why not ask the dr for depakote? My mom sleeps 12 hours now on it. Melatonin is known for nightmares and it didnt work for my Mom. Hang in there, went thru it too for a year.
luvmom

My mom too has the similiar issues which means I do too. When I brought this to Hospice's attention, they gave a drug called seraquill. They starting with a low dose and increased it as it got into her system. It isn't a complete cure but seemed to help alot. I go to a caregivers meeting once a month and it was suggested by them also. The group consists mainly of adult children caring for their elderly dementia parents. If nothing else it's worth a try. It helped lessen her confusion and her trips to a door locked for her safety. She has been trying to go home now for the past 4 years. Sometimes she is too weak to walk so she will crawl to the door. I have also put a childs gate up to prevent her from going in the kitchen where there are steps she can fall down. When asked by her for me to remove them I tell her I don't know how either. This seems to be a good enough answer. It's hard to watch, but I know she's as safe as I can make it.

God bless and good luck!

I wrote back in November on this topic - and things are much better now. My aunt's doctor & I agree in our caution with many of the drugs routinely given to dementia patients. Instead, I bought her one of those lights used for Seasonal Affective Disorder. Her doctor suggested I shine it on her several hours a day (not the 30 minutes the literature says). Also, I found her another day care center where the emphasis is on working the client's brain. My aunt comes home tired from a hard day "at work" and for several weeks has been falling into bed at a decent hour and sleeping through the night. This works much better for us. Just sayin!

I'm currently awaiting an opening in the center where I go to meetings. If this agrees with mom, we will probably need to give less seraquil to her. I am glad it's working for you. Thank you for th advise.

quake rite, where do u get those lights???? amazon??? I use depakote for my mom, her neurologist doesn't believe in sequel for dementia/alz patients. in would love a light, please advise?

Reverseroles: I got mine (Uplift Technologies DL930 Day-Light 10,000 Lux SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) Lamp
at Alicks Home Medical here in town (South Bend, IN). I think it cost almost $200. I see there is one at Amazon for about $90. There's a lot available through Amazon, I notice. My aunt's doctor says forget about the 1/2 hr limit - push the envelope for folks with dementia. I put in on my aunt first thing in the morning - about 3 hours. He can really see a difference; I know if I get lazy or busy and don't use it on her, I pay for it in the evening when she starts insisting she has to go home NOW. The last time I didn't use it, Ami talked nonstop from 11pm till 5am. I'll hever make that mistake again. If you get one, let me know how it works for you. Sometimes, I sit in the glow myself! Best of luck!

Oh my goodness, there are others going through what we are experiencing! My mother is 101 years old and has lived with us nine years last month. Whew! She is no problem except when she doesn't sleep. As of now, after taking one Restoril yesterday at 5:30 p.m., she has slept 30 hours. It wipes her out, and Hospice suggested I give her another one tonight. I just can't do it. She is usually up and in her chair everyday and communicating with us. She eats a lot and weighs only 90 pounds, so we are doing a lot right. The hallucinating, talking out during the night (all night two nights ago), and anxiety is hurting us all. So, I think I will try liquid Tylenol first from now on. Ativan wires her up after it wears off, and makes things worse. So, yes, I can empathize with anyone in our situation. I am the fulltime caregiver, and would like a rest but can't bring myself to leave her for long periods of time. Surely God is teaching me patience and letting our loving care be an example for others. Soon we will be there. My love and prayers to all of you.

I had the same problem with 95 year old. She went in the hospital where her primary doctor did not practice and when they saw how wild she was the doctor prescribed Temazepam and seriquil this worked. Change doctors most doctors do not know or understand elderly patients.

Over the counter medications for sleep often contain benedryl, I believe it is in Tylenol PM. Benedryl has been identified as a drug that increase confusion and agitation in the elderly. The American Gerontological Society compiled a list of drugs that should be avoided in the elderly. Please talk to your Hospice nurse and your doctor about the sleep problems.

I need something for nighttime sleep for my husband. If he could sleep at night the daytime would be better. He has been on Zoloft, Depakote for 2 weeks, melatonin 10 mg, serquel, and have been told not go give Tylenol pm or and drug with antihistamine in it. Has been off everything except for Aricept 10mg and Namenda 10 mg 2x day for 2 weeks. Help

Hi. My mom is 90 years old. Sometimes she sleeps well and sometimes, she can't for 2 or 3 days. Recently, it has gotten worse. She has lost a lot of weight because of her sleepless nights. Although, she sleeps in the mornings after her breakfast, I wish for her to go back to the normal sleeping pattern. As I am writing this, she is a little bit restless and can't sleep again. I'm worried about her.....:-(

I'm experiencing the same thing with my 94 year old mother, who was diagnosed with dementia years ago. I wake up tired, and go to bed tired. I telephoned her doctor today requesting a sleep aid for her, to sleep through the night, that way I can sleep to. The other problem she is facing is Sun-downers. The Sundowners is when the person with dementia become irritable, combative and they do not recognize their immediate surroundings, nor do they recognize the caregiver. When Sundowners occur their blood pressure lowers, in early evening, they might experience a slight headache.

My Dad said last night was the first night in years that he had a full night sleep without waking up and not be able to get back to sleep..... what he's been doing is experimenting with limiting the amount of wheat in his diet for a week now, trying to go gluten-free.

I am not sure if this is just a mind over matter thing or if gluten-free is actually helping him. It will be interesting to see how this progresses. I know that food allergies and food sensitivity can cause medical issues.

I could have written your article word for word sublingual Ativan was suggested in small dosage. I have been afraid to do this for if she wakes she could be unsteady and fall. Perhaps putting her back on quitiine sp meds for depression would help...ask a doctor...?

I have the same exact problem with my mom. The doctor prescribed a sleeping pill and a mild Norco. That helps for about four or five hours. She can't get around on her own, so I was terrified she would fall. I keep her belted in her wheelchair during the day.

We got a hospital bed with full rails on both sides. I raise the head and feet. That makes it impossible for her to get out of bed on her own. It doesn't stop her from shouting and banging on the rails, though. She's completely out of it during the night...talking to dead people...going to the store...seeing things...

I have a real problem with her night-time habits since if I don't get sleep, I'm a mess. Last night I was pretty calm about the whole thing, though. When I see the doctor next, I'm going to see if there's something that will last longer than the 4 hours this seems to effect her. Since, in her case, she can't walk alone and can't get out of bed, dizziness isn't an issue.

I wish you the very best. If there's one reason I would put mom into a nursing home, it would be her night-time behavior. We all need our sleep. Well, apparently everybody but your mom and mine anyway.

Good luck.

Thanks so much for the wonderful tips. God Bless keep sharing It helps to take
this info along with my spouse to the physician.

Mirtazapine/remeron makes them sleep better-antidepressant needed to be Rx-d by dr

Get your doctor to put her into long term care ASAP even if it means having her moved away. A half hour drive to see her is better than total collapse for you!

My Mom has dementia, she is 90 years old and don't do well in the nursing home, she now is not sleeping and calling me Margaret,which was her mean step sister. I need to know what to ask the doctor for so we can all get a good night sleep

had my husband put on anti psy drug called zyprexa. took a 2.5mg and give him 1/2 in am and 1/2 in pm. helps greatly. I did not want to use an anti psy. drug because of black box but it works for him

MELATONIN 3MG

its weird for us because my 88yr old mother who is late stages of dementia and is on 350mg of trazadone per night and does just fine, but when we give even just 150mg of trazadone or 10mg of melatonin to my 87yr old mid stage dementia father in law, he doesn't sleep and becomes very large halucinations. sleeping aids work VERY differently on different people. good luck to you.

That's TOO much melatonin! It can give vivid nightmares
Tbe neurologist told me never to give more than 1 1/2 of a 3mg tablet. The melatonin is keeping him awake i bet. Even half of a 3mg works. Can you even give it along with trazadone? Be careful, call a doc or pharmacist please.

My Mom had the same trouble with insomnia, and her doctor recommended we give her 2 sudafed or any antihistamine before bed, because it's non-addictive but does make you sleepy. Worked like a charm. Hope this is helpful! Much love to you and your Mom.