I put mom to bed, and most nights she is up within 15 minutes and comes out of the bedroom.
Or, she has an issue with moving around in bed like she can't get comfortable. She moves her legs back and forth and moans. Sometimes this goes on for hours. Therefore, if she's not sleeping, neither am I because of all the noise.
Any ideas would be helpful. Thanks!
He goes more at night than during the day when he is actually taking in fluids. We haven't found a solution yet.
"nocturia"- urge to urinate multiple times a night- adding more discomfort. Many times the spouse/caregiver is waking up 5-10 times a night to help and are ready to crash. Bed mobility products can be very helpful in these situations- let me know if I can provide suggestions.
To complicate my dad's issue, he's diabetic and he really doesn't manage it. I live 100 miles away and come every weekend. My mother is also experiencing memory issues but is physically better than him. Together they almost make one good functioning person minus both their hearing loss which negates everything. While I would love to be enough to care for them both, I cannot.
I've attempted to adjust medication times to avoid wearing off through the night but the more carbidopa/levodopa (especially the timed release) the more vivid his dreams or the more confusion which also causes him to get up or to try. It's a toss up.
He fails to take his meds and recently the decision for long term care has been made, but unfortunately the process to get help from our state (NM) is tedious. They qualify on income but have in excess of $3000 in the bank which must be appropriately spent down or risk a penalty. I've begun to do this by hiring a FT caregiver and seeing that his meds are given to him 4x's a day and at bedtime including checking hs sugar levels and administering insulin. This care will break my parents in less than 3 months.
So, timely medication management, a night time anti anxiety or sedative may be an answer. Exercise through the day. A therapeutic massage with a muscle type rub, especially the legs can also help any soreness and help to relax.
If you are seriously considering long term care, the expense is enormous and research is lengthy. Income, assets, irrevocable trusts, facilities, availability of beds, ratings, social workers, admission screening, TB tests, Dr. certifications, visiting facilities, asking the right questions, the potential need for an Elder Care attorney, VA benefits are both a blessing and a curse. Often there is a need to fight the system to do what you wish you didn't have to do in the first place...it's exhausting. In all of this, in my case, multiply by 2. If doing this for one parent seems a huge task, try to find care for both in the same facility when they both need various levels of care.
And here we go, they are both up and pulling in different directions. This morning, I'm about ready to slit my wrists. Good luck everyone. A long life is not necessarily a blessing UNLESS you are healthy.
I apologize, did I mention it was a particularly long night?
Thanks again!
If Mom can take an over-the-counter pain medicine, give that a try only if Mom's doctor approves. I know some of these pain medicines cannot be mixed with other common prescription meds.
If you have a hospital bed for her try elevating the head and the foot ends so that it is not in a flat position.
Have you talked to her doctor about this? If not you might want to bring it up.
Several areas for concern are if she is tired and tries to get out of bed she is at greater risk for a fall.
The other side is if she is prescribed anything to help her sleep she will be at greater risk if she gets out of bed.
If you do have a hospital bed you may have to put the side rails up. This can be done in a home but not in a facility. (It is classified as a "restraint")
I am sure you are fully aware but..Please ask her doctor before you try any "herbal" remedies. Things can get tricky with Parkinson's