I'm Robin and need help caring for my wife. She has been diagnosed with alzheimer's but refuses to acknowledge it- the other diagnosis by the GP was "lacking in insight".
The current difficulty I have is getting her to go to bed at night. Sometimes she simply refuses and stays up all night sorting out clothes, with which she is obsessed. Or she starts to get undressed then dresses again. Or gets up in the middle of the night. Either way it is very unsettling for myself and my own health.
Ideas welcome.
Hello
@Robinjg , I'm sorry to hear of your wife's diagnosis. My OH hasn't refused to accept his diagnosis but he has never mentioned it at all. I don't think he understands it.
I think the starting to get undressed and then dressing again is a common thing . My OH does this morning and night and it drives me crazy. it takes such a long time to get him dressed and undressed each time. I have two friends whose husband's have dementia and they are the same! I think they forget whether they are taking off or putting on each item.
Once someone with dementia loses the ability to tell the time then wanting to go to bed or refusing to go becomes a problem . My OH can want to go to bed at 2 pm if he's been up early and I've also had him refuse to go to bed if he wants to go out. I try to have a strict routine ,up same time ,out each day, and I find he accepts bedtime better.
Have you mentioned this to your GP. My GP has given me an anti anxiety tablet to give as and when needed if he gets too stubborn and and won't settle.
Sleep deprivation is an issue for me as my oh gets up in night for the toilet,sometimes twice and needs supervision .
Have you you thought about carers or a sitter / friend to take your wife out so you can catch up on your sleep?
I'm sorry but caring isn't easy. You're right to want to look after yourself.