Our Ask An Angel correspondent is Arlene Petersen, Life Care Navigation Specialist in the area of senior home care.
Q. I am my mother’s caregiver and up until recently things have been going well. She has dementia. Recently, I have been unable to sleep through the night because she gets up and wanders throughout the house. I want her to be safe, so I get up with her, trying to settle her back to bed. This happens numerous times through the night. I am exhausted and need help with any ideas to get her to rest so I can, too.
A. When we care for a loved one, and our sleep is disturbed, it makes it difficult to carry on as a caregiver during waking hours. Lack of sleep can compromise your ability to care for your mom. So be aware of how you react to her as you care for her. Are you short-tempered? Are you unable to meet her needs in a caring way? Do you notice you are feeling depressed? If you notice your behavior changing, assess your situation. Consider the possibility of resting when she does, during the day. More importantly, examine the level of activity your mother participates in during the day. Exercise, healthy eating, and socialization are good ways to make sure her day is filled with meaningful activity. It is important to talk to your mother’s doctor about her wandering and sleep changes. Many families choose to work with a professional caregiver to provide overnight care. This reduces stress tremendously as it gives the family caregiver the opportunity to sleep through the night. I believe it is important to keep an eye on yourself. You don’t want to fall into feeling burned out. Be good to yourself and understand you can’t do it all. Having a helping hand will empower you to be the best caregiver you can be.
Have a question for our angel correspondent? You can send our angel an email to apetersen@visitingangels.com or send your question via mail to Ask An Angel, 65 Woodbury St., South Elgin, IL 60177.
