Getting patient to lay down at night?

Your mother isn't going to be able to understand the need to keep her ankles elevated or even the reason she should lie down. I agree that she may not be lying flat may be pain so a wedge may help, but I'd discuss both of these issues with the doctor. There's a reason for the edema (often heart related) so this needs checking anyway. It's possible that pain medications and/or a relaxant at night may help her recline. Check with the doctor on both of these issues. They are important for comfort if nothing else.
Take care,
Carol

Try allowing her to do what she wants to do. If she wants to sleep sitting up, just make sure she is safe and won't fall, but let her do what she wants. Save your breath trying to convince her to put her feet up to reduce the ankle swelling. She has a terminal illness and there is not much you can do to stop that. Just love her for the time she has remaining. Best wishes!

I wonder about the reason for the edema, does she have heart issues? I remember my mom used to have trouble breathing when she was lying flat in bed. If so then elevating the head of the bed might help, you can put wedges of some kind (books, pillows whatever) under the mattress to raise it several inches.
Or do you have a recliner, would she be more comfortable in that??

My mom does the same thing! I tried a wedge but she told me to remove it. I now give her melatonin at night per doctor's suggestion. It calms her so she falls asleep in bed but only till about 3am but still some relief. Then she sits up about 30 mins, does her potty break and back to bed. I think for my mother it's an acid reflux issue. She likes to snack at night so trying to keep it under control is challenging. She also takes Lasix for swelling in her legs(she has heart issues).elevating helps but she won't do it for very long in her recliner. She's 86 years old so not as mobile as before. Compression stockings help. Finally found ones she'll leave on! They're tube socks on a roll and easier to pull on too. I hope you find something here to help you.

If your mom is eligible for a hospital bed thru medicare, that may work. We took the side rails off and put a regular memory foam mattress on it and mom loved it. She could fall asleep sitting up and then I would lower the head some and raise her feet.

This happened with my mom. Suddenly she refused to get into bed. I argued, pleaded, tried to reason--same issues, swollen ankles, etc. Finally realized no sense fighting it. Bought a recliner. She was OK with that. Wasn't as good as a bed but it allowed me to raise her feet.

I personally can't lie flat to sleep due to spine issues.
About what 6 years ago I purchased a Matteres Geni from tv. It's a wedge operated by remote to raise the head of bed. They still show on tv sometimes, but may be your answer. I paid $99. And now they are $129. but well worth it.

I should have added the Geni can inflate to any level. I don't always put mine all the way but just a little at times as it has a remote. Better than pillows and more like a hospital bed.

My father couldn't lay flat, He felt like he couldn't breathe. Try the recliner? Thats where he would sleep. My Dad had Copd & CHF

The memory foam mattress is a good idea. Also could try having her sleep on her side with a pillow between her knees and curled up a little bit...this is a classic back pain sleeping position, so if that's what is bothering her, she can sleep in that side position quite well. What about compression hosiery if the swelling really needs to get down? I believe lots of elders prefer to sleep in a recliner...in fact one of the end-stage dementia units I'm familiar with has almost all recliners in the seniors' room because that was their preference. My Mom currently has the kind of bed that lowers to the floor with a mat next to it. She was getting up repeatedly at night and wandering around her room and falling/breaking bones. She didn't like her recliner.