My mom is in middle stages of Alzheimer's disease. When she awakes from sleep she is especially confused and cries bitterly.

Sharirose, we used to worry about Daddy leaving the house because all the things you have mentioned can be lost. My med alert bracelet keeps breaking. I used to say I was going to have Daddy (I'm having a senior moment, those ID tags that are injected between the shoulder blades) like I did my dogs. Of course I was joking, but then again I wish it could be done. One idea we came up with was having a small ID tag engraved with needed info & put it on his shoes where he could not remove it. Unlace 1 side of the laces, put the tag down toward the toe & lace the shoe back up. I'm not saying he wouldn't be able to remove it, but it would take a while to get it off. You might want to considered 1 for each shoe so if he were to lose a shoe he would still have the other.

Has anyone had extreme sundowners issues with pts. As a caregiver for my spouse with cognitive disorder, I explained at 1:00 that I had to go to the physician myself and would drive to the city and also shop a little. He was fine acted like he wanted to stay home and watch old TV shows. I was home by five it was beginning to become dark. We live in a rural area. He replied well I was getting worried that you were not home and I did not know where I was to go. Our daughter had called and checked on him one hour before that and explained I would be home soon. I have him wear a med ID bracelet. I have him carry a cell phone all time. I have an in home alarm system but did not set it that time because he was so lucid at 1:00 PM. Again after getting up from TV this evening at 9:00 PM he began saying he was not sure he could find where he was to go outside tonight. I explained you are going to bed, I am taking you there. It is only at sundown and dark that this occurs. Any hints for increased safety except forcing him to go with me everywhere.

My mom, who passed away almost 3 months ago, was in mid level alzheimers. She too would wake up and be so confused and scared and anxious and wondering where everyone was, and if they weren't there "where did they go" and "why didn't they tell me they were going" .... all I could do to ease her was to tell her that I'll get in touch with them so we'll know exactly where they are, and isn't is great that she and I are together, and let's have breakfast.... and by the time we got our breakfast and talked together - she had forgotten about her fright and about wondering where the others were. The thing I learned best about being with alzheimers - is the vital importance of validating their fear, and living in their world, and not in the reality of mine. By best to you - it's a journey.

Thanks everyone for your thoughtful comments.

If its possible, try adding familiar photos and things like mom might remember from her past home to her room, an older bedspread, ect. My mom also took to crying at time for unknown reasons or her own reasons. I tried to use humor to help her out by telling her I was trying to figure it out also. We would usually end up laughing together until it passed. When she wanted to "go home", instead of telling her no, I would say "well, let me get this task finished" and she would wait. It would pass and we would both do much better than me trying to tell her no, or to tell her any other thing besides ok. hope this helps. mom was a regular "hit the door at 5pm and demand to go home" person! you could set the clock by her sundowning.

Rusty, I have to tell you this... My mother watches a lot of "reality" type shows. My father has brain damage and also lives in the TV shows. One day Mama was watching Maury. All of a sudden Daddy got upset because he thought he was the father of all those women's babies. We too have to watch what is on the TV. But, sometimes you just have to laugh at some of what goes on.

I wonder if it would help her to wake to soothing music. You could set a clock radio to go go off just before she wakes up. I think there are even some that start softly and gradually get louder to gently wake a person up. Hugs to you and her.

I found showing my mom things that were in her room that were familure to her helped. We had moved and towards the end of her life she was more confused so by pointing out the ceder cabinet, my picture etc, helped her to know she was "home". also giving her a kiss on the forehead and telling her I loved her . Just sitting having a cup of tea or coffee with her also helped. As as they say routine is the most important with no confusion happening around them. If we had company she got confused and the t.v waas real to her so we had to be careful of what we watched when she was up. One day she had lunch with John boy Walton and supper with the Walton family. she told us granma was a hoot. Things like this werre very enjoyable to us and her.

I have found a little music helps with those bouts of saddness. By playing some of her music or singing the same songs mom use to sing to me when I was little and had unpleasant dreams. Sometimes mom is even able to get a couple of lines out herself and in turn, I get the most beautiful smiles. I also have a DVD of FANTASIA (by Disney) that I used to calm our over-stimulated toddler that seems to work wonders for mom now.

drsharyn - I have found that keeping surroundings consistent and routine seems to help my husband with dementia. I wonder if your mom moving twice each year (Florida in the winter & Canada in the summer) isn't a good idea any more. Just a thought . . .

My father had alzheimer's for over 8 years before he passed. He would many times get lost in the past, get upset for no reason, would leave the house and didn't know where he was. He didn't recognize us most of the time, but he had sane moments. One in particular I so remember, I was in the room, he was on the couch looking at the ceiling as he so often did. But all of the suddent I hear his voice and he tells me "Anita, you know I love you very much don't you?" As quick as he was sane and clear is as fast as he went back to his state of confusion and numbness to his surroundings. I tell you this because there's really nothing you can do but to be there and speak with her. Let her think whatever she wants to think and simply nod in agreement. It does no good to argue with her about whether she's right or wrong. She will forget more and more of who she is, who she was and unfortunately who you are. Please remember that you cannot teach an Alzheimer patient as their memory of everything they knew at one time will disappear. Unfortunately as days go by, she will even forget to eat or swallow or go to the bathroom. She may soil herself. I don't tell you this to sadden you, but to prepare you and to please ask that you simply be there. Unfortunately, there's nothing we can do and I don't know if any medication will help. Although today there might be something as my Dad passed away in '96. My heart goes out to you, this is certainly not an easy illness to deal with. My thoughts are with you and I hope I was able to shed some light and again I apologize for making it sound so grim.

My Grandmother (not diagnosed with Alzheimers) would cry anytime of the day, not just when awaking from sleep. She would bow her head in her hand(s) and quietly cry. Heartbreaking and tough to watch. Sometimes during these episodes she would quietly talk to herself. While you couldn't always hear what she was saying, my impression was she was trying to calm herself or work things out in her head. IMO she was confused and didn't know what to do...feeling alone and helpless. So, I agree with others here who have said, let your mom know you are there...that someone is there. Talk with her...embrace her...let her know she is not alone.

I agree also that her medications should be re-evaluated. Meds maybe causing the confusion or could help relieve the confusion. Need to see if a different mix could help.

My thoughts are with you and wish you and your family the best.

it is heartbreaking to see mam crying and upset, my mam dementia is vascular, but dad only died year and a half ago and she still has times when it hits her.Have you read contented dementia by oliver james, it really is a fantastic book and suggests we use special sense with our loved ones not always common sense. Its too much to go into detail but I would highly recommend this book I found it very inspirational, and certainly a lot of the advice given has helped so much in difficult situations

Mom's dementia is a bit more vascular in nature, but the same stuff. We left effexor because of a warfarin reaction. trying donepezil in addition to the clonazepam..and..(too many) but social interaction returns the social veneer. Getting mom to the Sr ctr or having her call old friends restores normality better than anything else I've found. From what I can tell, 'pros' are going to tell you to do this or that...I don't think much can be changed, you fight for inches when you need yards.

Your mom might benefit from an anti-anxiety medication, like Ativan or Lorazapam -- a small dose to help ease her anxiety and fears. When my dad didn't recognize our house (he built it himself), I suspect he was remembering his childhood home, or perhaps the first apartment he and my mother shared as a married couple.

I have found music can be very soothing -- old church songs or music from their childhood. Even humming can help calm people down when they are having an anxious moment. Alzheimer's and Dementia do often cause paranoia and fear -- talk to your doctor about anti-anxiety medication and see if you can find one thing that "grounds" your mom -- something that keeps her feeling safe.

I have one client who has a soft red jacket that she wears, zipped up, day and night because for some reason it represents security to her. Perhaps she had a red jacket as a child, and it makes her feel safe. See if you can find something that gives your mom that same sense of well being.

My mom takes aricept for her dementia, but yes what you are talking about is common, has happened to my mom and the best thing i have found is to hold her close and let her know i am here and no matter what i wiill always take care of her, the touch of a loved one and soothing voice seems to calm her, will keep you in my prayers.efferor is for depression so I would certainly talk to her doctor for a medicine used to treat alzheimers and dementia like aricept. God Bless

Thanks very much for your answer!!!

This is heartbreaking. Nearly all of us have had times when we've awoken from a dream with some momentary confusion. However, since we are cognitively rooted in reality, we quickly figure things out.
Your mom's reality has shifted. It's hard enough for her to understand her surroundings when she totally awake, so it's understandable that coming out of a dream could be very frightening to her.
Some medications make dreams more intense and "real" even for people without AD. I'd get in touch with her doctor so he or she can tell you if her medication may be causing this, or is there is a medication that could help prevent it. There may be a medication change indicated. If not, at least you can see what the doctor suggests.
Meanwhile, sitting with her and comforting her the best you can is important. Don't feel like you're not helping if your comfort doesn't allow her to snap right out of her distress. She still needs this.
I hope the doctor can help.
Carol