My moher is entering the third stages. For the last few weeks she has started night time wondering in the house. (She lives with my husband and I, the daughter.) I ask the doctor for a sleeping pill (Ambien CR)and it did not phase her. She is small and fairly week muscle tone. Would rails on the side of the bed be a option. We don't think she would have enough strength to climb out the end. Or do you have other ideas of sleeping pills that work better in dementia? Thank you, Colleen

Colleen

I've heard that sleeping medications don't usually help AD patients. Side rails might be a good idea. We got a hospital bed for my dad (medicare pays for it) and I got "half" rails so he COULD get up to use the bathroom at nite. But pretty soon I'm going to change them to full rails to keep him in bed.

You might want to post your questions on the CAREGIVERS forum. You usually get a lot of really good ideas in just a short period of time.

God Bless and Good luck with your Mom

Colleen,
My wife is in stage 6 and has sleeping issues. The doctors at Georgetown Memory Disorder Center told us that the common sleep medications can have terrible side effects for dementia patients. The geriatricpsychatrist -- sorry about spelling -- gave her Trazadone, starting at 25 mg and then having to go up now to 75 mg per night. This is an anti-depressent that has a sleep component. So that makes it an off-label use. It has worked for us so far. It can also be used occasionally for agitation. It would be worth talking with your doctor about. But please beware of the regular sleep medications. Many primary physicians seem to be unaware of the sleep medication side effects for the dementia population.
Blessings,
Bill

insomnia is only during the nightime by the way.