I am a caregiver for my mom who lives with me. At this point she does sleep regularly, but she gets very anxious about being alone at night (just in her bedroom - I would never leave her all alone). It has been this way for a while, but got a lot more intense after I broke my shoulder last year. At first, the only place I could really sleep was in a recliner in our living room. Saying she wanted to help me, she started sleeping on the couch. Since then, she has become increasingly concerned about being alone at night. We had house guests recently and during that time we shared a room and now she gets really anxious any time I try to herd her back into her own bedroom. I love her and I'm with her 24 hours a day, but she just gets so sad about going back to her room and says she is scared. I just don't have the heart to make her. As selfish as it makes me feel, I have to admit I miss having one small area of my life that was my space and not devoted to caring for her. Has anyone else experienced this? Suggestions?
Another thing I have found to be helpful is to use a two way baby monitor, that way you can speak to your mom and reassure her that you can hear her and are near by.
Or you could resort to the little trick we often use on young children, lay down beside her in her own bed and then sneak away once she is sleeping.
I like the idea about the doll or stuff animal. You might also take one of your shirts and place it in her bed. Maybe your scent would relax and comfort her.
They also have devices for kids that has a little night light that displays on the ceiling that is supposed to lull them to sleep. Depending on her stage, it might or might not help. You can check it out online and gauge for yourself. Some have scenes of stars or water.
There are also soothing sound CD's that play things like rain, which again, may or may not help her. I know that sometimes a person with dementia may not interpret sound the way we would. But, there is also soothing music that might comfort her.
I think that being consistent over time with her alone bedtime would eventually work. AND I might also discuss with her doctor. She may have anxiety that needs treatment.