@cwillie, if mom has a DNR or POLST indicating that no extraordinary measures be taken calling 911 will not do any good. If the DNR or POLST can not be located right away they HAVE to begin life saving measures. If there is a visible POLST or DNR they really can't do anything. Hopefully this mom is on Hospice.
But where does it say she has any of that? The profile page says nothing about that and as far as I can see this is the first post from the OP, we have no idea where this woman is in her dementia journey or how close to end of life she may (or may not) be.
My MIL, who has been in active Hospice for 9months--one of the first symptoms of her decline was that she was sleeping for 18 hrs+. From saying she 'never slept, ever' to now being unable to be awakened took a while, but it is what is is.
Most days she sleeps about 18 hrs--and to quell the anxiety that came with the dx of being 'near death' they now give her a whopping dose of Xanax at night, so she will sleep even when she's anxious.
So, yes, it can be a sign of impending death, but my MIL is 9 months into this and she is not going to be dying any time soon. Hospice has told the family to not wake her up, to let her sleep as much and as long as she wants. Sometimes that's 20 hrs a day.
I hate to say it, but sounds like end is coming. My mom would go in to a deep like coma sleep. Couldn't wake her. Nurses aids didn't know what was wrong, either. I know now what it was. Same with my dad.
As a person declines increased sleeping will happen. My Husband went from sleeping a "normal" 8 hours and towards the end of his journey with Alzheimer's he was sleeping 22 or more hours a day.
If you do not have Hospice in helping you contacting a Hospice is a good idea. They can answer a lot of questions for you and help with supplies and equipment.
It's probably time to bring hospice on board if you haven't already. They will be best to answer any questions and concerns you may have. But it does sound like your mothers time here on earth may be coming to an end, and she may actually now be unconscious which is what happens before one dies. They(whoever they are)say that hearing is the last sense to go, so I would just make sure that you leave nothing left unsaid with your mother. God bless you both.
I have no idea where your mother is in life’s journey, and don’t want to presume but will tell you this—my family was told with both my parents that there would be three signs that the end of life was near. The first was a loss of interest in eating, next a loss of communication, and lastly, sleeping a deeper than usual sleep. This proved very true with both of my parents. I wish you and your mother peace
If there is a visible POLST or DNR they really can't do anything.
Hopefully this mom is on Hospice.
Most days she sleeps about 18 hrs--and to quell the anxiety that came with the dx of being 'near death' they now give her a whopping dose of Xanax at night, so she will sleep even when she's anxious.
So, yes, it can be a sign of impending death, but my MIL is 9 months into this and she is not going to be dying any time soon. Hospice has told the family to not wake her up, to let her sleep as much and as long as she wants. Sometimes that's 20 hrs a day.
She also barely eats, but she can still talk!
We need more information from you if this is gradual change of more sleep, deeper sleep in someone who is increasingly elderly and debilitated.
Please tell us more about your Mom.
My Husband went from sleeping a "normal" 8 hours and towards the end of his journey with Alzheimer's he was sleeping 22 or more hours a day.
If you do not have Hospice in helping you contacting a Hospice is a good idea. They can answer a lot of questions for you and help with supplies and equipment.
But it does sound like your mothers time here on earth may be coming to an end, and she may actually now be unconscious which is what happens before one dies.
They(whoever they are)say that hearing is the last sense to go, so I would just make sure that you leave nothing left unsaid with your mother.
God bless you both.