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I'm so afraid that she's going to try to cook something and start a fire. The doc put her on Trazadone, but nothing has changed. Any ideas on how to deal with this? She lives with us.
I don’t have anything to add in terms of a solution. Meds, alarms, cameras, and safety measures are all I know about.
My dad had insomnia for 25 years before being diagnosed with dementia. In the 2-3 years leading up to his diagnosis, he was doing a lot of crazy, dangerous things in the wee hours. In his case, once he was diagnosed, Trazodone plus Seroquel helped, though as his dementia progressed, later he lost most sense of day or night. At least his obsessive, dangerous behaviors lessened.
From what I have read, REM sleep seems to clear out tau protein tangles in the brain and if we don’t get enough REM sleep, the tangles build up and apparently are a factor or even main cause of dementia. So, insomnia can contribute to dementia AND dementia is highly associated with sleeping issues. It goes both ways.
Is your mom busy during the day with activities which tires her enough so that she enjoys a good deep sleep at night? Does she naps during the day, especially long ones. Is coffee and other caffeine beverages are prohibited about 2 hours before bedtime? Does she go to the bathroom and empty herself before bed, does she wear depends and due to incontinence, she wets herself and the incontinence gear becomes uncomfortable, etc.
I have written a book based on my studies and my 18 years of experience caring for a dementia patient, my wife. The book, "Dementia Care Companion" is available at Amazon.
Trazadone, for anxiety and depression, does not really keep a person asleep all night, especially if there is some worry. But verify with her doctor.
For example, I take 100 mgs. of Trazadone before bed and will sleep but not always the 6-8 straiggt thru hours my doctor recommends. When I wake up around three am., I read my messages then turn on the radio with a timed alarm at four am for news until I get up around six am. Sometimes I snooze during those two hours and feel fine during the day. It’s just we have different sleep patterns as we age.
Stardust: Pose your question to a geriatric psychiatrist. I sought help for the same issue at a psychiatrist. Google shows that a person is transitioning to REM sleep at 3 A.M. Ergo, the reason why they awaken.
No. I wake every morning at about that time and it's not good. But something I've recently come across is that if this happens, blood sugar levels are low, so give her a snack and see if that helps. Leave it out on the table with a note if you are still sleeping so she can easily find it. p.s. sleeping pills cause dementia , and can even make it worse if one already has it.
Lack of sleep has also been linked to dementia. Danged if we do, danged if we don't! I sometimes feel disoriented when I lie awake for hours. It's a real problem and the solutions (if any) vary.
Trazadone might not be the right sleep aid. Trazadone helps to fall asleep there are others that help to stay asleep. Her doctor can help decide which one to use. You are your mom's advocate with her doctor. In today's medical insurance managed care Doctors are encouraged to prescribe the most "cost effective" lowest priced option. Use your voice.
I had the same problem with my mother. She actually left the house, walked next door, and tried to open their garage door. Luckily the neighbor across the streets dog was barking. She called & the police came. I went and brought her home. Baby gates & a baby monitor with sound helps now. Good luck
My Mom, suffering from Dementia, woke up at 3am too. I live in a split level and she had the bottom level. I was able to put a gate across the stairs coming up to the main level to keep her from coming up the steps. I had a baby monitor so I heard her get up. I went down, showed her it was still dark out and put her back to bed.
Actually 3 a.m. is the norm for many people in circadian rhythms of sleep patterns. Most of us, upon awakening, learn to turn on radio to lull us back to sleep. Some read. Some get up and do letter writing. Many lay abed and worry; it's the time we are beset by fears. There is much written about waking patterns at 3 or 4 a.m.
My worry about too much medication to take care of this is the problem of falls, and yes, if awakening pretty "doped up" a fire is a real concern. I think it's time to consider her access to danger and her own safety whether this means installation of doors to kitchen or placement in care is hard to judge from what you say. But there does come a time when the care of several shifts of several folks each shift is required to keep one relatively safe.
Hi Stardust, My Dad had the same issue, so I get how frustrating this is for the entire household. I would suggest speaking with the doctor again about either the dosage of the Trazadone (maybe she needs a higher dose?) or changing to a different med. My Dad did not respond well to the Trazadone, and it took us trials of 2 other meds to find the right one. As time went by, we eventually had to increase the dosage, but it's working for him. I hope you find some relief so you can all sleep well! Deb
So she may need a different sleep medication or maybe something to help with agitation. My DH and both of my daughters have sleep issues (all have ADHD and one is also Autistic).At some point they have all been on Trazodone, and even though it is promoted as helping you fall asleep and stay asleep - all three of them only got the "helps you fall asleep" part and still woke multiple times a night.
Unfortunately, if she has dementia, her brain is working differently and may need different meds to help her stay asleep.
Additionally, is she waking up for a reason - does she go to the bathroom and then can't go back to sleep maybe? Is she having nightmares or night terrors? Is the temperature in her room too hot or cold? Is she having restless legs or some other neurological issue that presents physically and makes it hard to sleep?
At the end of the day, especially if she has dementia - her brain chemistry is altered now. Is she sleeping more during the day?
My FIL was like a newborn, had his days and nights mixed up- and would sleep for most of the day and then say he couldn't sleep at night. He would say "I didn't sleep at all last night" or "I barely slept last night". But he didn't realize he was often sleeping 10 sometimes even 12+ hours while the sun was up. He would literally get his "first" wind around 5pm and eat dinner and get on his computer and stay there for most of the night, then go to bed around 2 or 3 am and not be able to sleep.
She may also need a dosage change for the Trazodone.
Hopefully you will be able to find a solution without worrying. Can you remove the knobs for the oven and unplug appliances when you go to bed to alleviate the cooking concern?
By proceeding, I agree that I understand the following disclosures:
I. How We Work in Washington.
Based on your preferences, we provide you with information about one or more of our contracted senior living providers ("Participating Communities") and provide your Senior Living Care Information to Participating Communities. The Participating Communities may contact you directly regarding their services.
APFM does not endorse or recommend any provider. It is your sole responsibility to select the appropriate care for yourself or your loved one. We work with both you and the Participating Communities in your search. We do not permit our Advisors to have an ownership interest in Participating Communities.
II. How We Are Paid.
We do not charge you any fee – we are paid by the Participating Communities. Some Participating Communities pay us a percentage of the first month's standard rate for the rent and care services you select. We invoice these fees after the senior moves in.
III. When We Tour.
APFM tours certain Participating Communities in Washington (typically more in metropolitan areas than in rural areas.) During the 12 month period prior to December 31, 2017, we toured 86.2% of Participating Communities with capacity for 20 or more residents.
IV. No Obligation or Commitment.
You have no obligation to use or to continue to use our services. Because you pay no fee to us, you will never need to ask for a refund.
V. Complaints.
Please contact our Family Feedback Line at (866) 584-7340 or ConsumerFeedback@aplaceformom.com to report any complaint. Consumers have many avenues to address a dispute with any referral service company, including the right to file a complaint with the Attorney General's office at: Consumer Protection Division, 800 5th Avenue, Ste. 2000, Seattle, 98104 or 800-551-4636.
VI. No Waiver of Your Rights.
APFM does not (and may not) require or even ask consumers seeking senior housing or care services in Washington State to sign waivers of liability for losses of personal property or injury or to sign waivers of any rights established under law.
I agree that:
A.
I authorize A Place For Mom ("APFM") to collect certain personal and contact detail information, as well as relevant health care information about me or from me about the senior family member or relative I am assisting ("Senior Living Care Information").
B.
APFM may provide information to me electronically. My electronic signature on agreements and documents has the same effect as if I signed them in ink.
C.
APFM may send all communications to me electronically via e-mail or by access to an APFM web site.
D.
If I want a paper copy, I can print a copy of the Disclosures or download the Disclosures for my records.
E.
This E-Sign Acknowledgement and Authorization applies to these Disclosures and all future Disclosures related to APFM's services, unless I revoke my authorization. You may revoke this authorization in writing at any time (except where we have already disclosed information before receiving your revocation.) This authorization will expire after one year.
F.
You consent to APFM's reaching out to you using a phone system than can auto-dial numbers (we miss rotary phones, too!), but this consent is not required to use our service.
My dad had insomnia for 25 years before being diagnosed with dementia. In the 2-3 years leading up to his diagnosis, he was doing a lot of crazy, dangerous things in the wee hours. In his case, once he was diagnosed, Trazodone plus Seroquel helped, though as his dementia progressed, later he lost most sense of day or night. At least his obsessive, dangerous behaviors lessened.
From what I have read, REM sleep seems to clear out tau protein tangles in the brain and if we don’t get enough REM sleep, the tangles build up and apparently are a factor or even main cause of dementia. So, insomnia can contribute to dementia AND dementia is highly associated with sleeping issues. It goes both ways.
I have written a book based on my studies and my 18 years of experience caring for a dementia patient, my wife. The book, "Dementia Care Companion" is available at Amazon.
For example, I take 100 mgs. of Trazadone before bed and will sleep but not always the 6-8 straiggt thru hours my doctor recommends. When I wake up around three am., I read my messages then turn on the radio with a timed alarm at four am for news until I get up around six am. Sometimes I snooze during those two hours and feel fine during the day. It’s just we have different sleep patterns as we age.
My worry about too much medication to take care of this is the problem of falls, and yes, if awakening pretty "doped up" a fire is a real concern. I think it's time to consider her access to danger and her own safety whether this means installation of doors to kitchen or placement in care is hard to judge from what you say. But there does come a time when the care of several shifts of several folks each shift is required to keep one relatively safe.
My Dad had the same issue, so I get how frustrating this is for the entire household. I would suggest speaking with the doctor again about either the dosage of the Trazadone (maybe she needs a higher dose?) or changing to a different med. My Dad did not respond well to the Trazadone, and it took us trials of 2 other meds to find the right one. As time went by, we eventually had to increase the dosage, but it's working for him. I hope you find some relief so you can all sleep well!
Deb
Unfortunately, if she has dementia, her brain is working differently and may need different meds to help her stay asleep.
Additionally, is she waking up for a reason - does she go to the bathroom and then can't go back to sleep maybe? Is she having nightmares or night terrors? Is the temperature in her room too hot or cold? Is she having restless legs or some other neurological issue that presents physically and makes it hard to sleep?
At the end of the day, especially if she has dementia - her brain chemistry is altered now. Is she sleeping more during the day?
My FIL was like a newborn, had his days and nights mixed up- and would sleep for most of the day and then say he couldn't sleep at night. He would say "I didn't sleep at all last night" or "I barely slept last night". But he didn't realize he was often sleeping 10 sometimes even 12+ hours while the sun was up. He would literally get his "first" wind around 5pm and eat dinner and get on his computer and stay there for most of the night, then go to bed around 2 or 3 am and not be able to sleep.
She may also need a dosage change for the Trazodone.
Hopefully you will be able to find a solution without worrying. Can you remove the knobs for the oven and unplug appliances when you go to bed to alleviate the cooking concern?