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Serious Sleepwalking Issues - advise?
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Anonymous
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My mom has Type 1 diabetes (juvenile diabetes) and has about a million related medical complications and issues, including no longer being a stable walker (she falls quite a bit). So her latest trend of sleepwalking is VERY disconcerting. Recently she has been sleepwalking to the basement. Going down the steps is a real risk of falling for her, especially in a sleeping state. She lives with my dad and we are concerned she is going to either fall, or something worse (maybe leave the house or try to drive). My dad wouldn't necessarily wake up because they don't sleep in the same room. We've considered bells on the doors, but we're afraid they won't be loud enough to wake either of them.
Has anyone dealt with a heavy sleepwalker? Any suggestions? |
Anonymous
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Definitely talk to her doctor. I wonder if dr. could prescribe a sleep aid for her.
Having said that, I am a sleep walker, and we do the following: I always sleep farthest from the door, and when away from home (hotel, ILs, etc.) DH puts a chair in front of the door. |
Anonymous
| lock the door, set up a dripping wet towel by the bed side like a rug so when she steps on it the shock with cold water on her skin will wake her up |
Anonymous
Won't work, she has severe neuropathy and can feel next to nothing in her feet/legs (part of the reason she falls so much). And to the PP, she sleeps like a rock and is on a bazillion drugs already, so that won't help her. She has "superhuman" strength according to my dad when she sleepwalks, so putting a chair in front of the door or locking it probably won't help. I hate to shoot down the ideas I've received so far, but I need something more creative in this situation... Thanks! |
Anonymous
| how come locking the door won't help? she'll break the door? :sock: |
Anonymous
No, she'll just unlock it smart ass. |
Anonymous
How about an alarm on the door? I had one of these on my dorm door in college. A quick google came up with this: http://www.mypreciouskid.com/wireless-door-alarm.html |
Anonymous
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How about having a deadbolt put on the door to the basement so it can only be unlocked with a key that someone else can hide? A locksmith could have it in this afternoon. By the time someone responds to an alarm she may have fallen down the stairs.
I would also have alarms installed on the outside doors. Her doc should be aware that she has suddenly started doing this. Perhaps some new tests/bloodwork are in order. One of my children suddenly started sleepwalking and it turned out that an underlying medical/metabolic problem was the cause. Vitamin E complete 8 really helped my mom who had neuropathy, she has feeling in her feet again. Check with the doc as it might not be compatible with all meds. |
Anonymous
Thank you for your suggestions. The door that leads to the basement also leads to the landing/side door to the house and my dad is nervous that it would be hazardous in case of a fire that they wouldn't be able to get out that door (it's a small house with the only other exit being the front door). I'm absolutely going to look into door alarms as you and the PP suggested though! And I'm sure she'll mention it to the doctor but they can't figure out 1/2 her problems, so I doubt they'll have much luck figuring out this mystery. She used to sleepwalk as a child, but hasn't done it in many years. I don't know if Vitamine E complete 8 will help, but I'll mention that to mom too. Thanks very much! |
Anonymous
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OP, most sleep walkers will wake with time. It is unlikely that she will be able to start the car in that state. She will however be able to walk down the street. Make sure that she wears a white night gown (spooky). Also, the simple ADT door alarms will wake the whole neighborhood up, maybe worth the investmet.
BTW, I was a sleep walker until my mid twenties. |
Anonymous
what if you remove the key from the door, smarter ass? |
Anonymous
The locks indoors at my parent's house do not lock with keys. Any other bright ideas? |
Anonymous
change the locks? |
Anonymous
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OP, I found a site that has some personal safety devices, inc. selective door alarms, perimeter systems and even alarms that go off when someone takes off their covers in bed:
http://www.elderoptionsoftexas.com/article_alzheimers_gps_tracking_devices.htm |
Anonymous
| I think you need to find a site that discusses adult sleepwalking. Clearly amateur guesses are not going to help here. |