My mother has Alzheimer/dementia - she is having problems...
My mother has Alzheimer/dementia - she is having problems sleeping. Have try giving her Melatonin sometimes it helps. Have looked into sleep-aid but am afraid that my mother will get addicted to them what I have read most people do. Please advise Thanks!
Expert Answer
Needing sleep help with Alzheimer's is quite common. If your Physician has okayed the use of Melatonin to help your mother sleep then I would use it without much reservation. Melatonin is a natural hormone made by the body's pineal gland; it regulates our sleep-wake cycle and has few side effects when used according to directions.
The most frequent reason for poor nightime sleep is not enough activity during the day. The sleep-wake cycle actually gets confused as to whether it is day or night. Light exercise like a short walk an hour or so before going to bed, warm milk, and soft background music all help to make the AD person feel a bit more sleepy at bedtime.
The use of Benedryl is rather widespread in homes where there is an AD person and sleep is problematic. I am not a physician and you should check with one before using Benedryl or other popular meds used to treat other symptoms
The best bet remains keeping mother as active as possible during daytime hours. When the person with AD loses sleep, the carepartner often goes without proper sleep. Make sure you are taking care of yourself - perhaps have someone else take mom for a walk while you get a small daytime nap!