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My 98 yr old other in law has started having panic attacks at bed time. Any suggestions?

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Stlmom, if your Mom cannot hear or see very well, I can understand her concern. A night light might not be enough wattage to help her. Try placing a small lamp that has a 25 watt bulb to see if that might help her [no guarantee].

Could also be a case where your Mom might get dizzy when she lies down. If it doesn't hurt her neck, try having her sleep with two pillows to help raise her head.

As Cwillie mentioned above, Mom might also have GERD, that is where stomach acid goes back up the throat and creates a burning feeling. A Tums before bedtime might help that [if the doctor says ok to try], plus having 2 pillows to sleep on.
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She is very scared, most likely does not know where she is or what she's supposed to do.. By you keep repeating the same thing to her, (you already took your pill) just is not registering, repetitive questions & answers are a hamster wheel you cannot get out of. She's trying but check with her doctor most likely just a small change in her evening meds will help. Good luck
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This sounds like it could be a form of sundowning.
On the other hand there could be something physical going on related to being in bed. Could she be experiencing shortness of breath while lying down? Or perhaps painful heartburn or gastric reflux? That could explain her waking in a panic through the night as well.
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I'm so sorry I didn't give enough info. Mom is 98, lives with me and hubby. Has mild to moderate dementia. She's panicking as she prepares to go to bed. Began two weeks ago. No changes in routine. She begins grunting, moaning , checking her pill container, (we put her pill in the container and tell her 5 to 8 X she has taken it). She prepares her bed , fluffing pillows, smoothing sheets repetitively . She has stricken look on her face . Begins calling out loud to God to help her. We try to sooth her . She has a night light. She can't hear or see well. Can't hear TV or radio. Can't see to read. Twice woke at 2 am or so wandering asking God for help.
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Keep a low light on in her room. If she has favorite music, play it in the background. Play an audio book so there's conversation she can hear. Or leave a bedroom TV on very low.

A little more info might be helpful. Does she have these panic attacks when you mention bedtime? When you tuck her I'm? After the lights go out? What do the panic attacks look like?
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Has anything happened at night recently to create this fear? Is she still living in her own home? Your profile doesn't provide any information so it's hard to guess what might be going on.

Sometimes people fear going to bed because they're afraid they won't wake up in the morning.

But if you really want help, provide some more information on the situation to give posters more knowledge of what's been happening.
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