My husband and I have tried everything to help my 90 yr old Alzheimer’s father from wandering and waking every hour at night. His dr. gave us a prescription for Trazadone (did not work). Used soothing music and aromatic scents (diffuser with lavender oil). CBD oil. Meletonine. Exercise him during the day. He does katnap during the morning because he does not sleep at night. We installed a camera to catch him. He wakes up throughout the night seeking the bathroom though he uses depends. Some night he strips himself. He can get to and use his bedside bathroom chair, sometimes he goes back to bed but most times begins to wander. We do not lock him in his room and he opens his bedroom door and wanders through the house turning on lights. When we get up to get him back to bed he says he doesn’t know what he is doing. Since we have a bell on his walker and the camera we hear him and jump up and tend to him and get him clothed (because he sometimes strips himself) take him to the restroom and guide him back to bed till the next hour. He does not have a UTI per doctor. Needless to say we are getting no sleep. We just don’t know what to do and feel this is how it’s going to be for him and us. No problem with him during the day. I know this is called sun downing and did my research but geez who can go on without sleep. In a months time he has slept a 4 hour stretch three times. I also have learned that everyone is different and what works for one person does not for another. I’m trying desperately for what may work for him. Just not there yet. Would appreciate any suggestions.
There are so many things that can go wrong with someone living with AD while still at home. Wandering is a critical issue. You've been very creative and have done some things that alert you to his getting up and that seems to work now. However, your alerts are after the fact, meaning he's already up and wandering before you're aware. There's a chance he may want to go outside some night at 3 AM. Locking the exterior doors may seem like the solution but it didn't deter my wife. She went out the window! Obviously this is a safety concern. Another could be that he turns on the stove burners and walks away. This is an issue not just for your LO but for the whole family. My wife turned all the burners of the stove on ignoring a plastic container sitting on one burner. And certainly I don't have to comment on your loss of sleep. Many of your concerns are the premise of the book “The 36 Hour Day”. Although there are only 24 hrs in a day, being a caregiver for someone with AD seems to require much more. The book is considered the bible of caregiving. You can find it at your library or purchase a copy from Amazon.
MC facilities these days can be very attractive, comfortable places. The staff is trained in AD care and certainly you will feel a sense of relief. I would suggest touring some.
One option, hire a over night caregiver. The carer would be responsible for attending to Dad during the night and getting him back to bed. This will get expensive.
Another option, is one of you changes your sleep schedule and stays up all night, or you alternate. Just as people do with a young baby. It does not make sense for both of you to have your sleep disturbed.
This is one of the situations that for some families leads to a parent being placed in a facility where 24/7 is available.
Can you arrange for a week or two of respite care? That would allow you and your hubby to catch up on your sleep and look at your options for moving forward when well rested. I know I do not make good decisions when I am exhausted.
I can understand why Dad is looking to use the toilet during the night, instead of wetting his Depends. I am quite certain (with no scientific proof) that the part of our unconscious brain that wakes us up during the night to go pee, is very different from the part of our brain that gives us the same message during the day.
Your sleep is important
If nothing can be found to help him sleep longer periods through the night, safe-guarding everything you can think of in the house would be the first step. Locking up cleaning products, unsafe utensils, etc and ensuring there's no access to outside (keyed deadbolt), removing stove controls and/or locking the controls (microwaves have had this feature a long time, newer stoves, washers, dryers also have these now), etc to protect him (and you) from doing unsafe things, why not just let him wander? Sure, he strips. Doesn't hurt anything. If he eliminates outside the bathroom, that would be a problem, but wandering about the house and turning on lights doesn't hurt anything. It might disturb your sleep, so if that continues to be an issue, trying medications until you find something that works might be the only solution other than finding a place for him.
If nothing else works, it might be best to find a safe place for him. Wandering within MC units may be acceptable, but if he wanders into other's rooms, they will want something (Rx) to help prevent this as well. Thankfully my mother never really had an issue sleeping, so that's about all I can suggest. Sleep is important for all, so hoping you can find a good solution!
Now, back to the poster’s question. I agree with the suggestion to hire a night caregiver to watch the father so that you and your husband can sleep. It is also MUCH cheaper to keep him at home. Your husband is a saint to share this responsibility during the day because it is a lot of work.
RE medicine, my husband is on Seroquel to treat sundowning and wandering. It works fine so far, but I am ready to switch him to another drug if needed. Keep looking for the right medicine.
Good luck.
You are quite right that everyone is different. My wife, now 11 years into Alzheimer's and age 84 did wander a little, but she now sleeps well. Everyone is unique. You need to work out shift arrangements so that all caregivers get enough sleep. Getting in someone at home to be a night sitter makes a lot of sense if you can afford it financially. I agree with the advice that carehomes seldom look after wanderers well. Home care make sense, but you do need to look after yourselves, too.
Love and Prayer
He has a Cathiter and gets a UTI every 2-3 months so be thankful your Dad is not Catherized.
My Dad always wants a snack at night like a muffin and milk anywhere from 10 PM to Midnight.
I think it would be safer for him and you would be able to get a little more sleep, if you lock him in his room at night so he can't wonder thru the house.
Tell your Dad every night after he's in bed, that his bedroom door will be locked til in the morning.
At night before bed give him a snack and or you might try some warm milk or warm tea called sleepy time.
Prayers
My Dad gets a 3 mg of Melatonin but he doesn't take any other Sleep Rx's.
Does your H think it's time for a facility for your father?
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