How can I get any sleep with my dad wandering all night?

Question

My dad has Alzheimer's disease and he is staying with me at my home. He made too much money to warrant any help from the state (Medicaid) so he is not eligible to be placed in a nursing home. We don't have enough money to pay for one ourselves either.

Now I am in a bind.

He wanders all night and tries to sleep all day. I have done everything possible to switch him to sleep at night but nothing works.

He is as stubborn as ever & refuses to listen to me.

I was forced to quit my job due to lack of sleep and now I am extremely angry with him. This was an upper management job I had to leave... with extremely good pay.

I tried for a year to get sitters to stay with him while I was at work but I worked crazy hours. I even tried to hire a live in sitter, but it didn't work out. I am at the end of my rope & need to get some rest.

ANYONE HAVE ANY IDEAS???

Answer 1

You might want to talk to his Dr.  They have medication that  like melatonin (its natural and not a narcotic)  that helps regulate your bodies sleep patterns.  I use it because I work nights and have to switch to a day schedule once in a while. I would try to avoid drugs like lunesta I have seen people especially with alzheimer's  get crazy on them ( I work nights in a hospital)   The other thing to look into is adult day care maybe if he is active during the day he will sleep at night. As the last resort if he is safe wandering around the house you might also try ear plugs.

Answer 2

Did you have to take him?  Couldn't his money be put towards the nursing home until it runs out and then he goes on Medicaid?  Not to be harsh by asking if you had to take him in, but I don't think it makes sense for families to be financially destroyed.

Answer 3

If you father has an income then put him in the Alzheimer's unit of a care center/nursing home.  They accept private pay patients.  Visit him frequently and don't feel guilty about doing it.  You've tried caring for him at home and you must face the fact that it is not possible to do it and maintain your own health and sanity.  After you get your father settled in his new environment then you can go back to work and have a normal life.

EDIT:   Have you tried taking your father to an Adult Day Care during the day?  They would keep him busy with activities so perhaps he would sleep at night.  At least you could sleep a few hours while someone else took care of him.

Answer 4

If he made lots of money, why not put him into a private facility? I assume you are now in control of his finances, now that he is no longer competent?  

Answer 5

Get him maybe his own apartment and a new wife to take care of him?

Answer 6

Call Social Services and ask them what programs he might be eligible for.  There may be a program where someone would come and sit with your dad at night so you can get some sleep.  They may also be able to send someone during the day so you can go back to work.

There may also be an Adult Day Program where you could drop your dad off during the day and he could sleep or he may decide to get back to a normal routine and make some new friends there.  Most of those programs have activities for seniors and are able to care for those with disabilities like your dad's.

I hope this helps!

Answer 7

contact a support group in your area and i think there is a national support group too.  People who can relate to you and possible form a bond that you can trust and use.

it has helped with my challenges in my health.

Answer 8

Ok the main thing you need to remember is that it is not his fault. I know how frustrating and impossible it must be at times but he really cannot help it. I would suggest calling a few Alzheimer charities/support groups, they have an abundance of knowledge and support to offer to both the person suffering from the disease and the family trying to support and care for them and they can help you try to make things at home more stable. I am not sure where you are at but have a look on the internet for national Alzheimer charities/local ones to your state or city and give them a try. I really do wish you father, you and your family the best of luck with this difficult and upsetting situation. All the best. Xx

Answer 9

hire a beautiful nanny..  

Answer 10

Yes, but it might get criticized. I'll put it out there and you make your own decision. You can use restraints to keep him in bed at night and have the doctor prescribe sleeping pills to get him on an appropriate sleeping schedule. Nursing homes do this as a matter of course. My grandma just died this year and I'll be honest with you. You have got to do what works for you. Don't argue with him, make up your mind and quietly tell him how it's going to be. Though you will always owe him respect as your father, what you're really dealing with now is the disease in your dad's body. You're in this for the long haul and you have to survive it. You're already mad at your dad because you had to quit your job; don't let that develop further. Figure out what you can live with and then make it happen. If people give you flak about it, only talk to people who will understand or just stop talking about it.