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hallah Asked July 2021

Restlessness! I’m looking for reasons as to maybe why my wife gets restless at times. Any ideas?

Yesterday or day before she made many many trips from her chair in the living room, down the hall toward the bathroom, u-turned and came back. She would sit for a minute or two and start over again. This went on for almost a hour. Today she was going from her chair to her rollator, about four feet away, back to her chair, back to the rollator. She sat in each about 5 seconds. This went on for about a half hour.


Just wondering what might be going on and how I might be able to help her.


Thanks to all! You’re a great group! God Bless!

hallah Jul 2021
I posted yesterday I would make more effort getting my wife to be more active. Today we went to her doctor appointment. Quite a bit of walking for her. After getting home she started getting antsy again. I suggested we walk out back and sit on the swing. That was a good time for both of us! Now it seems she’s settled down.

If I notice my wife getting restless the next few days I’ll make a doctor appt.
LittleOrchid Jul 2021
I don't know much about Alzheimers as it doesn't run in my family. However, I do know that getting outside for a bit and taking a walk always cheers me and gives me a certain peace and repose that nothing in the house can do. I do love my gardens, but I think most people would feel better if they cultivated a habit of a morning and/or afternoon walk of about 15 minutes each day. Your idea of sitting on the swing was an excellent one. I have a bench outside with great views of the gardens. I should use it more than I do.

Perhaps the best thing about "outdoor therapy" is that it is instinctive, needs no verbal communication. All of us, as we age, miss the things we used to be able to do. I am not sure, but I think part of the Alzheimers is that the person loses the ability to rationalize that we cannot play tennis, but we can enjoy the memories. Getting your wife outside can help her experience another reality without needing to verbalize or connect her thoughts. Good for you.
tjstyme Jul 2021
My mother did that a few years ago, then stopped and has recently started doing it again. Her route is bedroom to bathroom and back over and over. How long she does it varies. This is a pick your battle moment. Her doctors words to me when it happened first time.
If they aren't bothering anyone, not in danger of hurting themselves and seemingly ok with it. Let em go. For my mom it's getting her some exercise and she not sleeping all day. My problem with it r my issues. Took a long time for me to realize that but shes not hurting anything... so I let her go and hopefully it will go away on its own again.

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NeedHelpWithMom Jul 2021
Hallah,

You have received great answers, so I won’t repeat their answers. I just want to say that you are a sweetheart. You are a loving and caring husband. God bless you.
hallah Jul 2021
Thank you! I keep asking God to take care of me so I can help Him take care of my wife. It’s been working so far!

My wife would do the same for me if our roles were reversed.
LINDA165 Jul 2021
If you haven't already heard of this book, "The 36 hour Day" it is a must read. I am dealing with my mother's dementia and it has been very helpful.
hallah Jul 2021
Thanks Linda165. I’ll have to get a copy of it.
BurntCaregiver Jul 2021
Maybe your wife is bored. People with dementia get incredibly bored but don't understand that they are and can't verbalize it. What does she do for activity during the day?
Does she ever go out, even just outside? Do you ever have visitors?
I've had elderly clients who did nothing but sit, watch tv, eat, day after day. They would often get very restless because they'd get a burst of energy and have nothing to do. Sometimes just going outside for a walk around the yard makes all the difference. Can your wife be taken outside? Or maybe for a drive? Just getting outdoors for a little while helps.
hallah Jul 2021
You may have “hit the nail on the head”. I am lax in getting her out and about except for doctor appointments, which there are quite a few of them.

Her daily activities? Watching tv. Visitors? They fell by the wayside when they found it difficult for them to carry on a conversation with her.

Because of what you said I will make more of an effort to get her outside. Y’all are my witnesses to that, ok?
Barbj112 Jul 2021
Hey hallah,

Mom began doing the "antsy pants" about 3 years ago.. I would take her for walks, hours long drives and sit on the porch. Nothing worked. I had her checked for a UTI and that wasn't the issue.

It was the progression of her dementia. Soon after the walking, it turned into wandering. I had to put alarms and locks on the doors because she would just take off with no particular place in mind.

Someone, on another thread, had mentioned playing a loved ones favorite music. I wish I would have read this a long time ago but maybe I was meant to simply share this here and now. Playing the music is thought to sooth and comfort the incessant anxiety in individuals.

Quick prayer said for you and your family and friends....
NeedHelpWithMom Jul 2021
Barb,

I live in New Orleans. We are known for our extremely talented musicians. Many musicians here have joined together, volunteered by visiting people in hospitals and hospice houses. Many patients have sited their pain and anxiety were drastically reduced, due to hearing music.

So, I feel that your comment about music is dead on! Music is not only soothing and enjoyable, it can be a form of therapy. It truly does feed our soul. It successfully works on our emotional and physical responses. I know whenever I was troubled as a young person, I immediately listened to my favorite music and it transported me to a better place.

I had the same experience with poetry. I used to ride my bicycle to the library and read poetry. I will always love music, poetry and all forms of art. I took art in school and continued taking classes even after graduating. I hate that some schools have cut the budget for art and music. We are fortunate here in New Orleans to have NOCCA, (New Orleans Center for Creative Arts) which is a phenomenal school for talented youth. I am so proud of the graduates from this school and it’s wonderful to see them thrive in careers that they love. Several have won Grammy awards.
JoAnn29 Jul 2021
You are not over obsessing. I would say if she continues doing this I would talk to her Dr. It could be anxiety and may need to medicate for it. Moms was humming that got louder as the days went by. She needed medication.
hallah Jul 2021
Thanks, Joann. I have asked her why she was so restless. She tells me “I don’t know. I think it’s because.......uh....because......”. That’s as far as she can go with that thought. I don’t push her on it; just move on to a different conversation. And wonder what’s going on. If it continues I will call her doctor.
vegaslady Jul 2021
Good for her to actually get some exercise. More of us should do that!
hallah Jul 2021
She’s definitely getting exercise! And I’m getting tired out watching.
NancyIS Jul 2021
At least she's staying inside the house. Don't stress over things that don't harm her or create a danger for the household. Maybe she needed some exercise!
hallah Jul 2021
I do appreciate the fact that she stays inside, not wandering out. She’s safe in the house, using her rollator walking around.
She says she doesn’t know why she gets so restless. She has a problem and I want to “fix” it. In this case there may not be a “fix”.
Malanna Jul 2021
Check your area’s Alzheimer’s Assoc. they may have “Day Care” for our special seniors. It may be held in local Churches. Our area has some. Maybe 10 to 2. Lunch provided. We found out about this great opportunity at our support group. Members of our support group report that their LO enjoy the conversation and stimulation of interacting with others. The good lunch made a big impression. Check with the local Alz Assoc to see if there is something like this in your area.
FarFarAway Jul 2021
That is wonderful that they do that. Great advice. I think that a lot of the time the symptoms are brought on by being stir crazy
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