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I am sure this has been asked before. But need to ask again.


For 4 nights in a row my 87 year old mother was talking and getting up out of bed. This was all night, which meant I was up all night. She was reliving her life in her dreams. Last night she slept all night long.


My questions is, is it normal for this to happen for a couple of days and then go away? Should I expect this to happen again?


Btw, my mother was diagnosed with dementia about 6 months ago. Not sure what type so I am trying to find out as much information about dementia as I can.

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This could be classified as sundowning. Inform her physician of such activity.
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You probably will need to hire night aide
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The baby monitor has been a help for us. When she wakes say it’s ok I’m Here. Most times she will go back to sleep. But do be aware that UTIs manifest with strange behaviors, and must be caught in time to avoid sepsis.
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GraceNBCC Aug 2019
I have kept reading about UTIs and strange behavior. Recently this happened to a friend. Actually started as bladder retension but neg test for UTI. The problem is ammonia build up in the brain. Many RXs make this bad fast, especially heart meds.

So have bladder checked, ammonia in blood checked, & thyroid levels ( all 3) checked.

If meds changed, especially sleep meds or meds for neuropathy, they can cause similar issues.
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Yes, this is normal. Dementia patients can get "day" and "night" mixed up. Try to keep her more active and awake during the day. Let her get plenty of sunshine since the light helps to cue "day" and "night" for her circadian rhythm.

If it happens more frequently, you might consider options that help you:
a sitter to stay with her. Sitter should gently remind and help your mom back to bed.
doctor visit to relay your concerns, He/she can prescribe a safe sleep aid.
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GraceNBCC Aug 2019
Be very careful with RX sleep aids. They can cause memory issues into the next day, as well as waling up and eating, even driving, with no awareness or memory of it.

Seniors are especially vulnerable to this. Good old warm milk with nutmeg could be a better next step.
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Yes do have her checked for a UTI. This can get serious and become sepsis if not diagnosed.
Sometimes the initial test of the uti
come back clean...but they need to do a
culture. An infection will often show up there.
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All sudden behavior changes get her checked for a UTI. Let her doc know about the behavior. Have you tried chamomile tea before bed?
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TaylorUK Aug 2019
Easy to check at home - buy the sticks and check every time UTI pops into your mind. If positive get Dr to do tests to ascertain which bug before rushing into one off visits just to get antibiotics.
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Is she awake or asleep when she does this?
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Mamacare Aug 2019
I believe she is asleep, but notice she responds to me as soon as I speak to her.

For example. She was asleep, it was about 1am. She started screaming so I ran into her room. As soon as I approached her bedside she looked at me and told me she was arguing with my dad. He passed over 10 years ago. She told me what she was arguing about, said she was sorry and went back to sleep.
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I was very afraid a month or so ago when my mom did this, but if it is of any comfort, knock on wood, it was just the one time, though there was another morning she was up around 4 or 5 AM. She has to walk past my door and my pup will woof because she typically makes enough noise or turns a light on.
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Mamacare Aug 2019
Good luck with your mom.
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Normal sundowmers. Key in key out locks and a baby monitor might help you rest better.
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Is she on many medications at once? Maybe after you do what others have suggested you can query her doc to make sure she's not having any interactions.
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My mother with Dementia also has sundowners at night. Try to keep mom active during day limiting naps. Also speak with primary care physician regarding this, doctor may be willing to prescribe sedative to help with sleeping.
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Mamacare, it could be what is called "sundowning". My Dad had that. Here are some article to see if this matches what your Mom is doing.

https://www.agingcare.com/topics/19/sundowners-syndrome/articles
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