My elderly relative has recently started moaning and groaning all night although he says he is not in any pain. [Arthritis in his legs can hurt when he moves his legs but otherwise is manageable]. This isn't good for me or the neighbors. Does anyone know of any techniques that might help him relax and get some sleep, or at least stop the verbalization? I've considered over the counter sleeping pills but I'm afraid they might just make him more anxious. Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you.
Meditation, listening to music before bed, reading magazines like Country and Country Extra...are good relaxation techniques.
Melatonin is a hormone the body produces naturally, but less of as the body ages. It aids in sleeping, doesn't produce side effects like the drowsiness that sleeping pills do. But check with his doctor(s) before trying it.
A sleep monitoring study might help as well; I believe he'd have to spend the night at a medical facility but his activities (and I think brain waves but I'm not sure about that) would be monitored to detect if he's experiencing sleep apnea. I don't know if it would reveal any other problems.
Does he show any signs of shortness of breath? Has his SAT rate been checked? He might begin moaning if breathing becomes difficult.
Does he eat late at night? Consume coffee or other liquids with caffeine? That would make sleeping difficult and/or restless.
I'd try to find a medical cause first to see if there's something else going on.
Your relative may not be aware that he's making noises at night. Have you asked him about it? Have you tried ear plugs?
Anyway the VA now wants to be done with him and put him in a nursing home permanently, with some sort of nonsense about how a visiting nurse couldn't just come each day for an hour to change him. I am exploring all options in the next few days.