Mom had a stroke 2 and a half weeks ago and she can’t stay awake. She just sleeps. We can get her to wake a bit to eat but she closes her eyes and drifts off in between bites. She recognizes family and friends, says hi and then goes back to sleep. When sleeping she is sometimes restless and calls out to family members or friends. There have been a few days where she has been a bit more aware for a short amount of time and then little or no response on other days. She has been transferred from the hospital to a rehab facility but can’t stay awake to even be assessed by therapist. She is 88 and all of her vital signs are good! She can swallow, there is no facial paralysis, her legs are mobile, right arm has some involuntary movements and left arm is weak but mobile, She did have a complex UTI but finished antibiotics 5 days ago. Doctors provided little information other than telling us she is ready for rehab and discharging her. We are so confused ! Has anyone else had experienced this after a stroke.
I wonder if she's on any new meds that could be contributing to keeping her a little too sleepy? Look at her new meds and ask the staff if they have any suggestions.
Medicare will not want to pay for her to be in rehab if she's not making progress and she can't improve if she's asleep so much. Tough to find the right balance.
Good luck.
Her body, mind are still healing. And her brain HAS been damaged. The damage may or may not be noticeable now.
Also if she is fully cognizant there is the reality that might be hitting her that she IS vulnerable, she is more frail than she was before. This can cause some depression and sleeping may be a way for her to deal with it.
Give her a bit of time to heal and see what happens. Keep note of any other changes and inform her doctor