How do you get sleep while caregiving?

great question - I'm looking at the same issue - short sleep and exhaustion.. anticipating suggestions..

Let’s hope for some helpful tips! I suggest cutting sugar/ice cream/sweets after lunch, I noticed when she gets ice cream after dinner, I am up hourly for her bathroom trips! Also a very regular schedule it’s important. I’m not a heavy sleeper though, so getting back to sleep is my issue- also I try not to look at phone because it activates the mind.
Let’s wait and see what other ideas come in.
Wishing you strength during your journey.
🤗✨

Gratia....I know you must love your mom but maybe she would be happy in a care center if that is something that is affordable. She could meet some elderly women who she could talk to. Your life and your happiness are important too. My husband is almost 90 with Alzheimer's and I am also getting exhausted with him waking me up all of the time. When my husband was first diagnosed, I thought I would never want him to go to a memory care center because I thought it would make him feel bad, but I am starting to change my mind. I was just talking to my husband, and I asked him if he knew who I was and what my name was and he said no. I am starting to think that I am the one who doesn't want to be in a memory care center not my husband. My husband's Alzheimer's disease is getting much worse and I am beginning to change my way of thinking. We aren't terrible if we place our loved ones in a care center and we actually might even be doing them a favor.

@katrina123
Thank you so much for your thoughtful reply. I deeply appreciate your feedback especially with what you are going through.
My sister and I have visited multiple facilities…multiple times..over the past few years. We even had arranged for a room for her last year, however on the move-in day she was in a wild mood, and the facility determined it was not a fit after all. It was really a big blow as we had jumped through hoops and done so much paperwork to get her in. We just left discouraged and frustrated. I don’t have energy to go through that again.
I think we can continue for a bit longer with her at home, (maybe hire help a couple of days week, if we can find the right person).

I agree that it may be my own “concept” of assisted living and memory care getting in the way.
Again, I truly value your input. I’m sad to know you are going through this with your loved one. It’s good that you are getting a perspective and prioritizing your health. It’s so important! You inspire me. Thank you for writing here. Sending you love & support ✨❤️✨🤗✨❤️✨

@katrina123 @gratia Have you looked into day care/memory care where your spouse/mother could go a few days a week and you could have some alone time or sleep time? It just might work!

@gratia Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect ! Members of this group will be very happy to answer your questions and let you know what has or has not worked for them.

I was sleep deprived and eventually I had caregivers come in from 10pm to 6am to allow me to rest. After 4 months my wife had stabilized somewhat and we no longer needed the night time support.

Thank you! This is a good idea for our situation because she sleeps soundly from 6 am until noon. I will look into overnight caregivers.

@becsbuddy I love the idea of daycare for her, but she needs to be wheeled out the back door through snow & down a hill to get out. It would be a good option and she could socialize, but I cannot logistically get her there. I’ll look into whether they offer pick up here.
Thank You!

@gratia
Hi, if you can't easily get her out, if you can afford it, visiting angels or another caregiver company could come to you and provide care while you rest at home.

@katrina123 my wife still knows me, but her memory is getting worse. At times I fell I need a longer break than a few hours- and that’s when the idea of a facility enters my mind. Next thought- I want to keep her home. As she has also told me numerous times. After a particularly difficult evening I thought ‘maybe, maybe, when she doesn’t know me anymore’ then maybe….
This disease really %#&$@