My mom is 81 and has had dementia for 4-5 years. She lives with me and began having hallucinations really bad to the point it would keep her up all night. We got her on Seroquel and this did take away the hallucinations and she was sleeping through the night. There was a mix up with her prescription and she was off the Seroquel for about 2 weeks. When I finally received it, I started her back on it. When she was off of it she was brighter, happier and for the first week and a half she was still sleeping through the night. The first night I put her back on it she was dead to the world when sleeping. it made a big difference in her. So I haven't given her anymore as of now. Does anyone have experience with giving Benadryl at night instead and would this help her to sleep thus keeping the hallucinations away? I just don't want her to be on any more medicine than she has to.
I like the idea of soft music and found that gardening magazines and all the lovely pictures relax my Mom too.
There are a lot of other sleep related posts here, but the standard guidance seems to be to have a regular routine and sequence of events up to bedtime, and to expect that just when you get it figured out, something will change and you'll have to troubleshoot all over again.
Insomnia is a hallmark behavior for dementia.
Don't be afraid to get help in at night so YOU can rest. You will decline faster than mom if you are not getting real rest. Nobody can do 24/7 shifts.
Perhaps it's time to research all the meds your mother takes, and check for interactions.
Benadryl gave me double vision.
BUT it is not a miracle for everyone. Let your own experience guide you. Discuss Mom's reaction with her doctor. Maybe the dosage could be adjusted.
Almost all medications being used for dementia patients are trade-offs. It makes him less alert but it calms his anger. She is more apt to fall but she is more "with it." It is almost always a matter of balancing the benefits and the drawbacks.
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