Welcome to TP
Like Brucie, I found that the pacing etc was part of my dad's condition, even before he went into a home. I hate the way TV is left on in so many homes - is it really for the staff more than the residents, as so few people with dementia seem to respond to it? Unfortunately the level of staffing and quality of training in many homes is so poor that the staff do not seem to engage with the residents and this is very sad. I would ask to see the named carer / nurse who is responsible for your m i l, or the one who relates best to her, and talk to them about her. Sometimes it helps if the staff can understand what the person was like before the dementia so that they can relate more to them as an individual. Perhaps playing some older songs/ music might be a connection eg. from the war or popular musicals. Giving the staff a photo album with special moments in your m i l's life (all labelled of course!) might be something they would sit down and look at with her. Everyone with dementia is an individual. The person you love is still there but their perception of life is so different you have to search for new ways to connect with them. I found when I visited dad it was helpful to keep to the same routines, looking at same photos, talkng about same things - he seemed to find the predictability soothing. When he became restless, I just gently took him by the arm and walked round the corridors or garden with him as he was happier keeping moving. Some of the medication he was on at different times reduced the pacing (which included hours at night too) but of course had other negative effects so there is no easy solution. I have never seen any explanation for this (has anyone else?) but many people with dementia seem to develop a very sweet tooth, so I alwasys found that taking chocolates and biscuits brought a magic smile!
Good luck - look for the small things that give a moment of pleasure.
Blue sea