How can I sedate my dad?

Those of us who are insomniacs know all to well how difficult it is to find a safe effective sleep aide. The active ingredient in the popular OTC sleep aides (Benedryl, AdvilPM, Sominex, ZZQuil, most drugs with PM in the name, etc.) is diphenhydramine, or some form of it. These are all anticholinergics. which studies have found that prolonged use has a link to dementia. They do not cause dementia, but may raise the risk. Those already living with dementia may also experience negative effects of the drug.

One popular prescription drug is trazadone. Clinicians prescribe trazadone as an off label sleep aide. Of course, melatonin or other sleep supplement may work. Whatever you may use, always be aware of medication interactions which could negatively affect your father's behavior. Cognitive behavioral therapy is often prescribed, but with your father's VaD, it's probably not appropriate. Consult with his doctor regarding possible solutions. Depending at your dad's stage of VaD, offering OTC sleep aides may be reasonable. You might want to contact a sleep center and ask for their suggestions.

What I am just as concerned with is his wandering. Wandering can present many safety concerns, especially if he should leave the house at night without your knowledge. Mention this to his doctor also. Wandering, along with the unrelenting progress of the disease, caused me to start looking at memory care facilities for my wife. You may also be at that point.

Have you tried giving him Melatonin at night to help him sleep? That is natural, and won't interfere with any other medications he's taking. You can start with 3 mg. to start and go up from that if needed.
I also liked Geaton777's suggestion of getting him in an adult day care center. He could be there for up to 8 hours per day and they would keep him busy and safe.
But know this too, if your dad is now wandering,(and you're wanting him sedated) it may be time to be looking at placing him in a memory care facility. You must do what's in the best interest of your dad and his safety.

Do you have the option of adult day care for him? It may be possible that some stimulation for his brain during the day will poop him out more at night (but not always because dementia is such a strange disease). When I got to FL to be a substitute caregiver for 6 weeks, my 99-yr old aunt was being given Tylenol PM because she was wandering at night. It was also causing her to be very constipated and causing pain and discomfort. Her older sister (102 yrs old!) and the other family caregiver were sitting her in front of the tv to watch dvds all day (which did mostly keep her quiet and contained). I started giving her "tasks" during the day to replace some of the tv watching: folding large piles of towels, sorting colored poker chips, sorting cards, playing board games that she was familiar with (Rummy Q, and she didn't have to follow the rules), some light food prep. She is now completely off the Tylenol PM and for the last month has slept through every night, even with a day nap, and she now wants to go to bed even earlier yet wakes up at the same time. I don't know what the future holds for her routine, but I am just saying that mental work does tire out those with dementia. Your dad may not be in the "stage" where he can cooperate but you will need to try every day because you don't know when that stage will occur. Teepa Snow has some good, educational videos on YouTube where I learned how dementia affects our LOs and how I can better engage with my aunt so that there is a better quality of life for her and more control and peace for her caregivers. FYI if a non-constipating sleeping aid works in your situation -- go for it, but do it under the direction of your dad's physician. Wishing you much success in finding solutions!

Why are you trying to avoid a sleeping aid? Have you talked to his doctor?