I am my brother's caregiver who is living in my home, he has Alzheimer's. Needless to say, caregiving has been a challenge, brother/sister dynamics not helping. I am questioning sundowning, sleep/bedtime dilemmas? I do see he seems to sleep a lot these days, part of the disease I presume, but doesn't want to at night, fights it. I can't encourage him to get off the couch, even though he's dozing, don't dare put a gentle hand on him. I wait and let him, hope, he will go to his cozy bed on his own, keeping lights on, pathways clear, not wanting him to stumble from sleepiness. I check on him and can find he has moved to a chair, now sitting on the bed, even leaning up against the wall, sleeping, oblivious to me. I don't want to startle him, awaken him from some type of rest it seems? Any ideas on what is going on? A sleep disturbance, part of the disease? Do I do what I am doing? Really just letting him rest when and where he wants? Don't want meds, worry about falls, hate any "zombie" affect for him. Appreciate all of your answers or suggestions. Thank you 💐
https://www.agingcare.com/articles/sundowners-syndrome-133187.htm
https://www.agingcare.com/articles/how-to-cope-with-sundowning-tips-from-family-caregivers-200000.htm