Have you ever awoke in the middle of the night, startled and confused, not sure if you’re in your own bedroom or still in the nightmare you just escaped? Bad Dreams are made “real” in the dark. Nightfall and darkness bring dancing shadows and spooky sounds and memories of nightmares past.
That’s how the dementia sufferer feels if he is awakened in the middle of the night. But his fright isn’t over just because he wakes up. Even awake, the middle-stage Alzheimer’s sufferer remains confused and disoriented. His surroundings aren’t familiar, this home is not his own and strange movements and sounds startle him. This is not his bed, not his room, not his home and he has problems discerning where he might be.
Frightened into wakefulness in the middle of the night, he is disoriented as he stumbles from his room searching for familiar things; a mate that is long deceased, a familiar pet of his youth, a special blanket that was thread-bare when thrown away a year ago.
Wherever he goes, there is nothing familiar . And he yearns for “Home!” It doesn’t matter whether it’s the home of his youth; Mom and Dad and Siblings. Or the home of his Adult self; a wife with scampering children under-foot. He only knows–he wants to go there–to his authentic home–not this strange place.
The woman in this place claims to be his daughter , but that seems a strange proposition to him. Had he fathered her, why are there no memories of this grown woman in his life when she was a child. He believes she’s explained that away somehow–maybe. He isn’t certain.
As he wanders this empty, dark house, he thinks, perhaps, he’ll leave this place and find his legitimate home. Perhaps he can walk far enough, or ask someone, or a few blocks from here he may recognize his own home. Then he sees the locks on the door. And he has no time to flee before he is discovered and forced to stay in this place.
He is crying and crying. Until the strange woman puts an arm around him and hugs. She hugs him very hard. He thinks it would be good to have a daughter like this one. She must be a good daughter, he thinks. He allows her to lead him back to that strange bedroom, she turns on a low light and tucks him in. He decides to stay here for this night because he is tired now and soon, he is asleep too.
A few Helpful Hints for a good night’s sleep
- 1. A long walk in the evening may leave the patient more ready for sleep
- 2. If taking medications, verify with doctor that anti-anxiety meds may be taken later in the evening
- 3. Try to avoid napping during the late afternoon
- 4. Provide Activities during the day to avoid napping
- 5. Quiet reassurances if they wake during the night
- 6. Don’t confront–that will only escalate the fear or yearning for home
- 7. If they re-dress when waking at night, allow them sleep in their clothes
- 8. No battles at night, Arguing solves nothing
- 9. The caregiver needs a good night’s rest also!
Have you ever awoke in the middle of the night, startled and confused, not sure if you’re in your own bedroom or still in the nightmare you just escaped? Bad Dreams are made “real” in the dark. Nightfall and darkness bring dancing shadows and spooky sounds and memories of nightmares past.
That’s how the dementia sufferer feels if he is awakened in the middle of the night. But his fright isn’t over just because he wakes up. Even awake, the middle-stage Alzheimer’s sufferer remains confused and disoriented. His surroundings aren’t familiar, this home is not his own and strange movements and sounds startle him. This is not his bed, not his room, not his home and he has problems discerning where he might be.
Frightened into wakefulness in the middle of the night, he is disoriented as he stumbles from his room searching for familiar things; a mate that is long deceased, a familiar pet of his youth, a special blanket that was thread-bare when thrown away a year ago.
Wherever he goes, there is nothing familiar . And he yearns for “Home!” It doesn’t matter whether it’s the home of his youth; Mom and Dad and Siblings. Or the home of his Adult self; a wife with scampering children under-foot. He only knows–he wants to go there–to his authentic home–not this strange place.
The woman in this place claims to be his daughter , but that seems a strange proposition to him. Had he fathered her, why are there no memories of this grown woman in his life when she was a child. He believes she’s explained that away somehow–maybe. He isn’t certain.
As he wanders this empty, dark house, he thinks, perhaps, he’ll leave this place and find his legitimate home. Perhaps he can walk far enough, or ask someone, or a few blocks from here he may recognize his own home. Then he sees the locks on the door. And he has no time to flee before he is discovered and forced to stay in this place.
He is crying and crying. Until the strange woman puts an arm around him and hugs. She hugs him very hard. He thinks it would be good to have a daughter like this one. She must be a good daughter, he thinks. He allows her to lead him back to that strange bedroom, she turns on a low light and tucks him in. He decides to stay here for this night because he is tired now and soon, he is asleep too.
A few Helpful Hints for a good night’s sleep