- Introduction
- Diagnosis
- Treatment
- Prevention
-
Caregiving
- Coping with Emotional Changes
- Coping with Memory Loss
- Costs and Insurance
- Creating a Daily Routine
- Exercise
- Health and Wellbeing of the Caregiver
- Home Safety Adjustments
- Mental Exercises
- Respite Care
- Talking to Children about Alzheimer's
- Talking to Friends about Alzheimer's
- Telling Someone They Have Alzheimer's
- Transition to Assisted Living
- Transition to Nursing Home
- Work
- Related Conditions
- Resources
Q: when my 88 yr old grandmother sleeps, she looks like she is having convulsions, what is causing this?
Hi Trinka
Do you mean that your grandmother's body and/or arms and/or legs jerk when she is asleep? Is she incontinent when this happens?
Christine
She may have breathing problems or any number of issues. I'd take some notes and even some film if you can and then take her to a doctor. This doesn't sound like it's something that should go untreated. Good luck,
Carol
Generally speaking, sleep disorders and disturbances are fairly common in individuals with Alzheimer's disease. Such issues may be attributed to old age, the disease itself, and/or other medical issues. For example, these "convulsion"-like movements may signal a medical issue like restless leg syndrome, which may be treatable; however, be aware that Alzheimer's disease can cause seizures, which can illicit convulsion-like movements. For these reasons, it is important that you bring this issue to the attention of your grandmother's physician for a comprehensive evaluation. Medication and non-medication treatment options may be available depending upon the cause or contributing factor to this issue.
Hi, Trinka,
Our family noticed that Mom had convulsions when she was in the hospital (although she wasn't asleep). We instantly paged the doctor. He told us that her convulsions were part of Alzheimer's disease. This may be a possibility with your grandmother, but you may want to check with her doctor just to make sure.
Take care and keep us posted!
Dorian
My FIL who has severe stage of Alzheimer's does not have convulsions in his sleep. He sleeps quite well. Not every patient gets convulsions. You need to check with the doctor to find out the cause.
Regards,
NC
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