Mom has progressive dementia and has declined so fast in the last 4 months. She is up and down all night long. I have to climb stairs because our bedroom is on the second floor. I went up and down those dang stairs last night 10 times. I am totally exhausted. Does anyone have any other method to keep her from waking up and walking at night. She has fallen 6 times in the 4 months she has been here. I am so afraid she will fall and break something. I don't know how she hasn't injured herself already. And to tell you the truth she is wearing me out. help?
My suggestion it to put her in a nursing home. I know it doesn't feel right to do that but ask yourself this question: would you want your children to take care of you if you ever got like your mom knowing what it would do to their lives? I don't think any loving parent would want to do that to their kids. Just my opinion. I'm praying for you and your mother.
But you are killing yourself. The stress will take its toll. We are not taught as women to think of ourselves as much as others. But let me ask you this: What will happen to your beloved mother and your children when YOU wind up in the hospital? or lose your job because you are a wreck?
When I was in your position about five years into caregiving my mother, I called the doctor and she said " Wait until the next time she falls. We will transition her then to the assisted living" But you have to have the cash.
There is a bed pad that has an alarm attached to it that goes off when someone get up - about $400 bucks. But they don't work very well according to a recent hospital study because someone has to intervene with your mother.
How about you rotate your kids to sleep in your Mother's room at night? Get another bed, so she has to climb over your kid to get out. It will wake up your child, so the child can stop grandma and won't hurt grandma with a fall.
Just an idea. We need to be creative with the resources at hand. I was alone when caring for my mother.
You are a good daughter. Be good to yourself, too.
The new adjustments in meds are giving me a little hope. I am still hanging on to her...not ready to give up yet. I love my sweet mom...and I don't want her to suffer I have mourned the mom I knew..i just hope and pray she goes peacefully in her sleep.
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