Hi DaisyGood evening, I am at the moment the only carer for my mother who has Lewy Bodies dementia. I moved her to live with me 6 years ago when we noticed she was not coping after the death of my father. She was diagnosed within the first 6 months and has steadily worsened over the 6 years. I decided to get rid of the private part time care when the covid-19 broke out, to be totally sure we were safe. I am finding it very difficult as my mother is crying on and off all day and night, or being rude and shouting to get out. Most nights if we get more than 3 hours sleep it's a miracle. I would be grateful for any ideas to try to calm her down. Obviously all the usual, tactics, like distraction, music, ice cream are not working any more.
Hoping for some golden nuggets, many thanks Daisy.
I hope someone will be able to give you the benefit of their experience.
I can only speak from my own experience. The times when I get to the 'end of my tether' - when my mother is turning out every cupboard , every drawer, going to the loo every two minutes etc - I just have to take myself away from the situation as nothing I say, no reassurance, has any effect. Certain doors in the house are locked so that she cannot get into danger. I usually go upstairs for a cry, or out into the garden. Eventually she calms down - and I also find more patience from somewhere. I tidy up and my mother doesn't even remember it happened.
It is different with you having to deal with crying & shouting etc. I hope that you will take care of yourself, I know how sleep deprivation messes with your head. Do you have a professional to talk to? GP? Social worker? Admiral Nurse? Would you consider having a carer in again so you could have a break? If you are only getting 3 hours sleep....