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My bed ridden client, who used to be sociable, has taken to sleeping the day away. She's rarely given any meds that would make her that way. Family is concerned. I feel she's gotten bored, being she can't see so just can listen to her tv. Bed ridden since April. Any thoughts? She's also gotten lethargic, refusing food, pain meds and company. I feel it's depression cause it's the same thing everyday for her. Any advice to get her engaged again?

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Was prescribed antidepressants, but was not given enough time to work.
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It could be depression and boredom. Who stopped the antidepressant and why? A doctor should be involved in evaluating and treating depression. You may be able to engage her in some conversation. "I saw the funniest sight on the way here this morning. It was a little boy on a tricycle trying to back up. Did your children ride trikes when they were little?" Maybe you could listen to a soap opera with her and say things like "Oh, Val has the most surprised look on her face." Does she have enough vision to play cards?

Another possibility is that she is entering the final stage of her life. Does this seem consistent with her disease/impairments? You might suggest to the family that she be evaluated for hospice care, to help rule out or confirm that possibility.
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Talk to the MD about the changes and he would need to write a recommendation for a Hospice evaluation.
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She is on hospice... and I have tried engaging conversation, she can't see at all, so we do talk about what's on tv, and I just got a dog, and I've asked her for doggie advice cause she's always had one up to a few years ago. But then she gets lethargic and wants to sleep. The other caregiver convinced the family to stop the antidepressants because she had MILD nausea. Which I know is normal with most people. I said give it a week, but they listened to her instead. She has two doctors and the hospice dr, who is great, questioned why her cymbalta was stopped. The other caregiver said she was hallucinating, so not true, I never seen any thing out of the ordinary. She does claim to see people, but that was long before the pill. I do everything I can to keep her up, but it doesn't work. Plus the family tries to force food on her when she's barely awake, and I have to force her to swallow cause she will fall asleep during lunch with food in her mouth and I've said time and time again she's gonna choke. Basically, everyone is on a different page of acceptance and denial. I just want what's best for her.
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It is sad that everyone isn't on the same page. If your client is in the final part of her life journey and her body is shutting down, she may simply need to sleep a lot, and to not eat.
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Update! She was wide awake and alert! She ate tons of food, cracking jokes, we had a wonderful day! Not getting to excited as I know she has her days, but it was nice to see her smiling and completely aware. She was even cracking jokes about herself and her condition... she told me to laugh and not be sad.... even one good day is worth it to me, even the family was happy!
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