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My father is 89 years old and
has been diagnosed with dementia. He has other health
problems as well. His wife cares for him at home.
He has developed a problem with dreams and I get phone calls
in the middle of the night. His wife calls, and then puts
him on the phone. He is very anxious and agitated and says
that it was a bad dream and he is afraid he is still in the
reality of the dream.
I am able to reassure him that he is awake or would not be
talking to me. It takes about 15 minutes or longer to calm
him and then he is able to go back to sleep.
Are there techniques I could employ to help him understand
that the dream state is not the same as the waking state and
that he is not in any danger?
The first time it happened, I suggested to them that they
get out of bed and out of the bedroom, get something to eat
or drink, and then return to bed and go to sleep.
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Bad dreams often seem to
accompany dementia as it progresses, especially the frontal
lobe dementias such as Lewy Body Disease (among others). As
certain areas of the brain are destroyed by the disease it
becomes increasingly difficult, and then impossible, for
dementia sufferers to distinguish between the "real" and the
ever-so-real-to-them world. At that point rational talk
therapy loses its effectiveness. You are on the right track
in suggesting a diversion away from the bedroom.
There is also the very real possibility that medication may
be causing some of these dreams. I suggest that your mother
visit with his physician as soon as possible to discuss this
development. It may be that simply making a medication
change will help a lot. Whenever there is a change in
behavior it is important to advise your father's physician
as soon as possible. A good physician will work with your
father to try to find solutions that will give him peace and
allow both his wife and him to get a decent night's rest.
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