My mom lives her life constantly sleep deprived. Her severe Restless Leg Syndrome symptoms are so severe – even with multiple medications – that she rarely gets an appropriate amount of sleep. There are many days when I literally see her sleeping “on her feet”, with her body propped up against one of the kitchen counters. Recently, her lack of sleep, and dozing off problem became worse due to an unexplained injury to one of her knees. Some how she has developed a torn meniscus, a crack in the bone, bruising in the bone, and significant swelling in the bone. Her orthopedist has ordered her to stay off of her feet for at least four weeks – she does not listen well, currently she is shopping.

In an effort to help her stay off of her feet, my dad and I have been trying to take her food, drinks, and etc. when she needs it. Sometimes we put her drinks in a special no spill cup she has  – think of a coffee mug thing with a self locking lid. It helps keep the messes down when she dozes off with her drink in her hand. Unfortunately, she also dozes off when she has a plate of food in her hands.

My mother has a special area set off for her to read, and have quiet time in. She has several chairs in there that are comfortable for her to sit in. The other night she was in her area and I took her supper to her. She had taken some pain medication so she was dozing off more than usual. Everything seemed to be going okay – until she called me over. Once I got there, she said, “I cleared my plate.” I really thought that was an odd thing for my mother to say. Then she hands me her house shoe…it seems she had a little “accident” with her plate – most likely when she dozed off.