Nightly forays: What are your suggestions about nighttime activity?

Posted by Merry, Alumni Mentor @merpreb, Feb 25, 2023

Dave has become very active at night. He wakes up with some mission in mind. Last night it was arranging certain bathroom things and taking photos so he could write an article about them.
The night before it was something else. I can get him back to bed but 2 hrs later he's up doing something else. We are up now every 2 hrs at night. Neither of us are getting any sleep. I finally gave him some melatonin, a larger dose than usual. That helped. But before that kicked in He was in the kitchen with water running eating but he had been in the bathroom and the water faucet was on full blast.
I really need help with this. Anyone have similar experience s or suggestions?
Thank you so much.
Merry

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Caregivers: Dementia Support Group.

I'm glad that you have been so protective. I don't mind the messes so much as the lack of sleep. lol

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@merpreb

Wow, thank you. I'll get some bells for sure. So far he hasn't shown any inclination to leave the house but if he's this active now I certainly anticipate it.
When he gets up I follow and I can't sleep because he's noisy. Our house is small so I don't know how it would work with another person here.
I start weaning off of prednisone this Monday and I know that at some point I'll be doing a face plant into a very deep sleep.
We still have about 10 days till his first neuro appt so the only meds he gets are the ones I give him, his vitamins and the pain pill I got for possible kidney stones.
I finally gave him 3 mgs of melatonin which is more than he usually takes and he slept great. So tonight I'll start with that until I can talk to his Dr.
Would you please explain to me more about 2 hr pattern.
I'm so glad that you wrote me, Scott.
Merry

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Hi @merpreb, my husband (Alzheimer's, diagnosed four years ago) doesn't wander from the bedroom, but did start talking in his sleep at night, which kept me awake. He was having full on business meetings. His neurologist prescribed 3 - 6 miligrams of melatonin. I started him with 3 mg, but he wouldn't get out of bed the next day. I split the pills in half now. He speaks in his sleep a lot less and makes fewer bathroom trips as well. He also takes 20 mg of Citalopram a day, an anti-depressant, for what were obsessive behaviors.

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@pattyinal

I have keyed deadbolt locks on all our outside doors. Then we put safety latches on kitchen doors and drawers where potentially dangerous things are stored and locks on rooms and closets that could be problematic. Yes, he can still make messes. but I can rest a little easier for a short time while he plunders.

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We had our first good night last night. We spent the AM at the hospital but after we got home things settled down.

I need help with buying some things.
I need both short sleeve and long sleeve t-shirts. His sin is very sensitive. I'm thinking that getting either snaps or velcro for the future would be best. Do any brand names come to mind?

Mattress protector- Is bamboo the best? I get very hot and since we are both sleeping in the same bed would this not be good for me?

Chucks: ARe these good for anything?

Towels
T shirts
Lightweight. Pants. For both night and day time use

Non soap cleaning cloths

If there are other large items that I have not thought of..I know, many many many, please help me fill in the gap!

Merry

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