How much sleep is too much sleep?

thank you for your insight jeannegibbs! i agree that understanding the signs is more important rather than being in denial. she's had a long life and i'm just doing my best to keep her comfortable. but i will definitely find out more about the hospice situation. i might just give them a call myself as I've dealt with them before with my late mother instead of seeing her doctor about it. thank you very much for your help and sharing your experience with dementia.

trenur, people in the final stage sleep more and more. At the end, my husband routinely slept 20 to 22 hours. I would not necessarily conclude that Grandmother is approaching death, because there are the extenuating circumstances of having a cold and being on a new med. But it is just as well to understand that increased sleeping CAN be a sign that the end is near.

I suggest asking her doctor to recommend a hospice evaluation, or arranging it yourself. If they conclude she is not ready for that kind of care yet, that is fine. You will have a contact when the time comes.

Lol I meant to say that I physically feed her now as well.

Yes I have and she said that the drowsiness is a side effect of that medication. Luckily the doctor didn't increase the dosage as she was meant to. Thank you for answering my question. My grandmother is 81 and she has had dementia for 6 years now. I would say her dementia is in the advanced stages. She is completely dependent on me - incontinent, immobile, does not communicate and has to be fed.

Have you discussed these changes with the doctor who prescribed the new medication? That would be one place to start.

More rest when one has a cold is a good thing.

My husband had many good days (as you describe them) interspersed with sleepy days when he needed more rest. I think that is often the nature of dementia.

How old is Grandmother? How long has she had dementia? Does she have other impairments?