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Natasha90 Asked October 2019

Is sleeping for long periods of time normal for dementia?

My mother sleeps for long periods of time, ie: 18 hrs + falling asleep in her chair. Does this seem normal? She is 91 with dementia for 10 yrs. She has worn her rotator cuffs in her shoulders away so she has constant back and shoulder pain. Otherwise healthy as a horse. She gets sundowners and hallucinates at night. Is this something that someone else has seen? Do I continue to let her sleep? Gotta be careful how I wake her up. Will take your head off if you know what I mean.

Natasha90 Oct 2019
Hugs right back. At least my Mom sleeps thru the nite for the most part. The day and nite thing is so hard for you.

needtowashhair Oct 2019
Mom started doing this pretty abruptly a few weeks ago. She sleeps about 16 hours a day now. The thing is, other than all the sleeping, she seems better than she was. She is much more coordinated when she walks for example.

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Grandma1954 Oct 2019
Increased sleeping time is common. Sleeping will increase as she declines.
This is one of the indicators that Hospice uses to document decline for re-certification.
There is a great pamphlet that you can read on line called Crossing the Creek and it explains in a great way why the increased sleeping.
The last month or so it was not uncommon for my Husband to sleep 20 to 22 hours, awake enough to have a bit to eat or drink, until he stopped eating and drinking. He would be awake for a sponge bath or for a brief change.
Let her rest, this is her time schedule now. I know it is hard to plan your life around someones sleep wake schedule.
Is mom on Hospice? They can also help answer some of the other questions that will come up as she nears the end of her life.
Natasha90 Oct 2019
No she is not on hospice care yet. She resents her caregiver that I have come in 2x a week. She insists she can take care of herself but admits that she remembers nothing. This whole process is so hard, she was a nurse and so active and to see her now is very hard.
Thanks for the input.
AnnReid Oct 2019
My LO has been under the care of a gentle, very wise psychiatric medical specialist for almost her entire AL stay.
By administering small carefully chosen doses of supplements and medications, she has kept my LO, who was sleeping too long during the day, and not enough at night, and not eating well, BOTH comfortable and also functioning at her best levels.
I was also getting lots (AND LOTS) of protest when I’d try to waken her, now more often awake when I get to the facility, and also looking forward to her favorite dinners and eating more.

cwillie Oct 2019
At her age and what must be fairly advanced dementia it is not unusual at all, by the end of her life my mom was sleeping almost all the time. Do be aware though that less time awake leads to decreased mobility, which will lead to increasing frailty.
Natasha90 Oct 2019
We laugh because she walks like a drunk. Yes she is becoming very frail and testy. She has maybe one or two days a week that she is awake for more than 3 or 4 hrs at a time. She still likes to go out to dinner once a week, doesn't eat much but it gets her out of the house. Thanks for your response.
Blueeyes5 Oct 2019
I have no answer but wanted you to know, you are not alone. My husband is 87 sick with V. Dementia 10+ years. Other than Dementia very healthy. I am praying for some help. He has his days and nights mixed up. Sending hugs!

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