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She does not hit others. There are times I check on her in the middle of night and she is asleep and hitting herself. She also moves her body up and down like jerking. I was wondering if anyone else is going thru anything similar? It is very difficult to know what is going on with her since she does not talk. She is sweet as can be. She can walk with a walker. She still knows who I am.

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You must ask a doctor. Please don't ask strangers on a forum who've never seen your mother, and who're not doctors.

A doctor can tell you whether you need to worry or not; diagnosis; what can be done.
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meanstoanend May 2023
I think most of these people are already in touch with the patient's doctors or soon will be and asking questions here should not be discouraged. This forum is made to help people gain some perspective and so they can find out if other families have had the same experiences and to find out what they did about it.
Also, know that different doctors have different approaches and there is nothing wrong with comparing notes on a forum.
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Could be PAIN. Any recent falls? New injuries/bruises?
Agree to ask her Docfor.
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Tardive Dyskinesia comes to mind if she takes anti psychotic meds:

https://www.tardiveimpact.com/what-is-td?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=USA_GO_SEM_NB_EX_TDImpactAustedo-DTC-Condition-Diagnosis-All-All-NA-NBA-All&utm_term=symptoms+of+td&utm_content=Tardive+Symptoms&gclid=CjwKCAjwge2iBhBBEiwAfXDBRzLerGzGIfGyDc2MIqtmWhMPj-m92IGkSBgndcJCa1VFv-hwUcgi8RoCYrsQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Parasomnias are disruptive sleep disorders that can cause jerking movements and hitting oneself during REM and non REM sleep patterns, too. Also linked to certain meds. Here is a link to an interesting article on the subject:

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/12133-parasomnias--disruptive-sleep-disorders

Of course seek medical advice from mom's PCP as we can only guess as to what's really going on.

Best of luck
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MBuckner May 2023
She is not on any psycholtic medication.
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I agree with venting. I would definitely discuss these issues with her doctor, especially since she is unable to communicate with you.

I am so sorry that you are going through this.

I hope this is resolved soon for your mother. Please let us know how she is doing.
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MBuckner May 2023
Thank you. I have discussed it with her doctor.
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Probably psychotic meds. Probably need reducing and then eliminating. They are usually not good for 80 years of age and older.
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MBuckner May 2023
She is not on any pschotic medication
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I agree. Consult with a geriatrician, geriatric psychiatrist or neurologist. If you watch retarded children you will find them often hitting themselves as a way to “feel” something. It is a sensory deprivation problem since they are cut off from the world as she is by not being able to communicate. Does she listen to music from her era? I’m just thinking that she might be able to replace hitting with rocking. Anyway a physician will probably put her on some mild anti-anxiety medications to calm her but personally, if you recall the videos of the Rumanian orphans rocking in their cribs and banging themselves you can see how holding, hugging, stoking is what they were seeking-human contact. From an article: “It is well established that up to 10% of episodes of self-harm in late life occur in people with dementia, often in association with depression.
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MBuckner: Your query should be posed to her neurologist.
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Just as another aside, you might try a weighted blanket or one of those special animals in the Alzheimer’s store
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