Hi Rose Mary,

Your mother is in that limbo between then and now. Likely, she is frightened to be alone which she knows will happen when she falls asleep. We don't know what someone with Alzheimer's is seeing or thinking, but we do know that they can be very frightened because they don't understand what is happening.

I'm wondering if she fears sleeping, as she dreams frightening things when she's lying down, and can still associate the two. Thus she sits up. There's really no way to tell. You are a great comforter, instinctively. You may want to check with her doctor about a safe sleep medication or anti-anxiety medication.

I hope something works - you need sleep yourself.

Carol