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Moderate Alzheimer's, Frequent Resting and Napping
Caregivers: Dementia | Last Active: Aug 19 7:18pm | Replies (30)Comment receiving replies
I have given into my husband's sleep schedule as well. My problem is getting him to GO to sleep even with Melatonin. Sometimes it kicks in within 30 minutes and other times it doesn't seem to work at all because he's still awake at 3am. His neurologist told me about how the brain needs to "rewire" as well, And how he doesn't have to remember or anything like that when he's sleeping so I just let him sleep. Sometimes its 12-16 hours a day. His med schedule gets kinda wonky from time to time and his dr. knows that and she said just to do the best I can with all this. His wonky sleep patterns, medication taking and now the no nonsense noises he makes has been going on for a good 8 months and I hope to get some advise on how to handle these issues next week when we go to his appt. My main frustration is how it takes him soooo long to fall asleep because I can't get to sleep with all his noises he makes. He's lost interest in a lot of things so there isn't too much stimulation and I know that without any stimulation throughout the day, he's not tired when it comes to bedtime (10pm). I am very tired on a daily basis cuz I'm not getting the sleep I need to be the best caregiver I can be for him.
Replies to "I have given into my husband's sleep schedule as well. My problem is getting him to..."
I'm assuming you don't feel comfortable going to sleep first and leaving him awake. No telling what shenanigans he might get into. The number of hours my husband (ALZ) clocks is astounding compared to my measly 7-8 hours if I'm lucky. He goes to bed by 9p, up for breakfast about 10am and then goes back to bed. Yesterday he didn't get up until after 3pm. He has no trouble going to sleep. The only RX he takes is mirtazapine, an antidepressant. I'm not sure if it is his brain needing to be reset; or he just doesn't see any reason to be up. He has lost all interest in any activities. He always slept way longer than I did; but this is extreme. I've been having some pressure about moving him to a memory care facility. He tells me he is happy here and feels he has had a busy day even though he hasn't. I'm staying the course for now. I think your feeling tired is more about the emotional drain this disease puts on the caretaker than the number of sleeping hours. This is tough sledding.
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I am curious about the noises your husband makes. My husband kind of moans or sighs loudly when trying to fall asleep. Actually even when just sitting and watching TV sometimes. Is that what your hearing? Makes it very hard for me to get any good sleep. I'm tired too.