it is very hard when a loved one is no longer able to communicate her needs to her caregiver. in this case you need to be sure that she is safe and not in any pain or discomfort. a checkup with her doctor is the first step. the doctor will need to know how long she has been upset at night and if there have been any changes to her care or surroundings that could help explain her behavior. persons who have dementia are often more confused and frightened at night or in unfamiliar surroundings. after a thorough exam the doctor will be able to discuss a care plan that can help both of you. this constant care and lack of sleep can put a lot of strain on the caregivers. your local area council on aging or state department of aging can provide resources to help you cope. webmd also has a slide show that may help called “14 ways to prevent caregiver burnout”. <link> i'm sorry to hear you and your loved one are going through this. it's hard to help when a person can't communicate. i'd suggest you have your loved one checked out by a doctor. whenever an elderly person exhibits odd symptoms the first thing that comes to mind is a urinary tract infection (uti). while these often cause delirium in a patient (as opposed to the physical actions you're describing) it might be a good idea to rule out a uti. at the same time a health care provider may be able to shed some light on why your loved one is exhibiting these symptoms. perhaps she's having pain she can't communicate. it's hard to tell without a physical exam and a knowledge of her medical history. i wish you both all the best!
92 year female. scratching wringing hands rubbing legs and arms crying sounds without tears. emotional no sleep. female is very distraught and cannot communicate her problems. she is up all night and better during the day.