Hi, I am new to this forum and new to caring for my Mum!
My Mum was diagnosed in January this year as having Alzhiemers (although Me and Dad had concerns much earlier but avoided the inevitable) she is currently taking Aricept 5mg 1 x daily - not sure if we are supposed to notice a difference - as yet we are not!
I have recently decided to become her full time carer as things are not getting any better and my Dad still works (I think it is important for him to still work as it gives him his own space) I had resigned from my job in January as my boss was being very difficult regarding time off (holiday) to attend appts with my Mum and Dad as Mum requires a wheelchair is she leaves the house due to severe Osteoarthiritis in her ankles/feet, I had planned to return to full time work as I have my own home and family (Husband and 10yr old son) and financially I needed to - however my Parents come first! We have recently put in a claim for attendance allowance which in turn if Mum is successful with this I can then (and only then) put in a claim for carers allowance so at the moment my parents are supporting me financially (I am not happy about this, neither is my Husband but we have no choice).
My main concern at the moment is that my Mum is not sleeping very well despite the fact she takes sleeping pills - Temazepam 10mg, this affects my Dad as I cover the daytime and he covers the night time. Mum always used to get up in the night and use the toilet but then return to bed without a problem, she had to have a small operation on her toes a month ago (General anaesthetic, day case surgery) and since then her sleep pattern is worse than ever!
She can get up several times in the night and then proceeds to get dressed at silly o'clock - 1am,3am,5am etc My Dad then has to explain what the time is and then battle to get her back into bed as she says it's time to get up even though it is still dark outside, she sometimes will get undressed and get into bed but on some occasions she refuses and gets in fully clothed.
She never sleeps during the day, occasionally says she is tired.
Although Mum uses a wheelchair when we go out it makes no difference to her sleep pattern even if we spend all day out in the fresh air, I have tried playing games/puzzles with her to stimulate her during the day and again this has no effect.
Does anyone have any tips or advice for securing my Dad a goods night sleep occasionally?
Thanks, and sorry if I have rambled - this is the first time I have been able to talk to anyone who understands as well as just sympathising
My Mum was diagnosed in January this year as having Alzhiemers (although Me and Dad had concerns much earlier but avoided the inevitable) she is currently taking Aricept 5mg 1 x daily - not sure if we are supposed to notice a difference - as yet we are not!
I have recently decided to become her full time carer as things are not getting any better and my Dad still works (I think it is important for him to still work as it gives him his own space) I had resigned from my job in January as my boss was being very difficult regarding time off (holiday) to attend appts with my Mum and Dad as Mum requires a wheelchair is she leaves the house due to severe Osteoarthiritis in her ankles/feet, I had planned to return to full time work as I have my own home and family (Husband and 10yr old son) and financially I needed to - however my Parents come first! We have recently put in a claim for attendance allowance which in turn if Mum is successful with this I can then (and only then) put in a claim for carers allowance so at the moment my parents are supporting me financially (I am not happy about this, neither is my Husband but we have no choice).
My main concern at the moment is that my Mum is not sleeping very well despite the fact she takes sleeping pills - Temazepam 10mg, this affects my Dad as I cover the daytime and he covers the night time. Mum always used to get up in the night and use the toilet but then return to bed without a problem, she had to have a small operation on her toes a month ago (General anaesthetic, day case surgery) and since then her sleep pattern is worse than ever!
She can get up several times in the night and then proceeds to get dressed at silly o'clock - 1am,3am,5am etc My Dad then has to explain what the time is and then battle to get her back into bed as she says it's time to get up even though it is still dark outside, she sometimes will get undressed and get into bed but on some occasions she refuses and gets in fully clothed.
She never sleeps during the day, occasionally says she is tired.
Although Mum uses a wheelchair when we go out it makes no difference to her sleep pattern even if we spend all day out in the fresh air, I have tried playing games/puzzles with her to stimulate her during the day and again this has no effect.
Does anyone have any tips or advice for securing my Dad a goods night sleep occasionally?
Thanks, and sorry if I have rambled - this is the first time I have been able to talk to anyone who understands as well as just sympathising