My mother suffers from dementia and doesn't sleep. As soon as she lies down, she calls for help. Is there anything we can do?

If your Mom has a dementia--there could be no rhyme or reason why she exhibits such behavior...I have been there with my Mom...I would consult with a physician on this for a medical opinion...for all we know it could possibly be a UTI and not dementia related. However, communication can be quite challenging.
Good luck on this one~
Hap

my dad did that for 8 mos . like tennesee , as soon as he knows i dozed off he screams , i gotta peee ! i could never sleep . if i wanted to sleep it had to be during the day time when he s napping . but at night time nana .
he was takin a sleeping pill strong enuff for a horse to be put down , that didnt work ! finaly i ask dr for zannie and it helped , now sometimes he dont take anything and still sleeps no pblm . dementia has gotten worst and all he does is sleep .
hang in there maybe it;ll go away soon . it took him 8 mos and i dont know how long he was like that in anursing home before he came here .
i was a zombie for 8 mos and i was afraid to go to sleep . hate the feelin of begin screamed at ! good luck and ask the dr for some zannax , he takes .25 that dont work so i give him double doze .

goodMorning sjg9909...

You may want to get a CD player and purchase a soothing "healing' cd. There are many available. It may relax her so she can sleep without more drugs.

My dad would cat napp off and on during the day,older folks don't sleep through the night like younger people any how.He did not want to be doped up to sleep,did take an occasional sleeping pill. He did the exact same thing you are talking about,its almost like he heard my mattress squeaked and called me.I started going to bed earlier when the day shift was there and got up about midnight.I put my daughter to bed at 9 oclock got up at midnight cause thats when the action started.I was still sleep deprived,but I wanted to be with him during the hardest of times,he would have done the same for me.We had same of our best conversations at 3 oclock in the morning and some of our weirdest also.Wasn't easy,but nothing worthwhile ever is. The times he totally freaked in the hospital,they knocked him out,just not to disturbed the other patients.

The Spring 2010 Alzheimer's Assoc newsletter page 6 addresses sleeplessness. In case you don't have time to go there, here are 4 tips they offer: Plan more active days. Get away from afternoon naps. Take a walk or other activity thru out the day. 2. Monitor diet: restrict sweets and caffiene. Eat dinner early. Offer light healthy snack at bedtime. 3. Seek doctor's advice...incontinence or bladder urgency might wake him up. 4. Change sleeping arrangements. Try a different bedroom, a favorite chair or whatever he prefers. Where does he nap? Keep room partially lit to reduce agitation. I go to alz.org for many such tips. Try it! Sheryl ONeal of Care For Life, Experts in Eldercare, Charleston, SC

I give my mother Melatonin before I go to bed. It comes in different mg. I give her 10mg. per night. The doctor prescribed a mild sleeping pill which I asked for. She didn't sleep. I gave her Melatonin and she slept (wasn't beating on the windows or breaking out the door with a butter knife). Melatonin is natural and sold at most places that sell vitamins. I take it myself. It leaves no drug out feeling the next day and you can be awaken. Not like a sedative. You may be able to start with 5mg. instead. Hope this helps. Edna

I was having the same trouble with my mom. What kinds of meds is she on? Mom has antidepressants, zanax during the day, and at night she gets a remeron to calm her down. She is in bed by 6:30-7 and I usually wake her around 10 to change her, then she sleeps until 8 or later in the morning. Occasionally she'll have a bad night, but for the most part, sleeps well. You may not like her taking something, but you and she both need rest. She may be hallucinating and seeing things that scare her. This is all a part of dementia. Seek advise from her doctor and see if he can give her something to calm her down.

have you asked her why? its hard to talk to dementia people sometimes, but what does she say when calls out? is she having nightmares? is she afraid of the dark? a noise? what does she think will happen to her?
one way to find out eliminate things it could be, like try leaving the light on instead of off.try sitting with her till she sleeps/try keeping her up longer during the day ( if its at all posible, sometimes you cant control their sleep)
id try to ask her what she is afraid of...talk to her like you would a child thats afraid, be gentle...