My 91-year-old mom has dementia. Up until a month ago she was in a memory care facility. They weren’t doing much for her. My brother brought her home where he lives with his wife. He is taking great care of her, but in the past week she has gotten much worse. She only wants to sleep. When my brother offers her food, she says she’s not hungry. When he got her ensure drink, she took it once but now won’t drink anything, not even water. So of course she won’t take her medications either.
Here is a link that provides some useful reading about end of life signs in elders with dementia:
https://www.crossroadshospice.com/hospice-resources/end-of-life-signs/dementia/
Wishing you the best of luck with all you have on your plate.
If she is sleeping a lot she is not burning calories like she would if she were moving around.
Offer food and liquids. But do not force.
Is her food pureed? And her liquids thickened? She may be having a problem swallowing. (if she coughs after eating or drinking that is a good indication)
Call the Hospice of your choice, interview them on the phone first, then have them evaluate mom so determine if she qualifies. The Hospice intake will contact her doctor as well.
A Nurse will come 1 time a week, more if needed.
A CNA will come at least 2 times a week to bathe, dress and order supplies.
You will get medications delivered, all the equipment that is needed to make sure keeping her at home is safe.
be very careful about stopping medicines cold turkey. that in itself can cause a lot of mental and physical problems.
i mean, that if she would take her medicine regularly, she might also have more appetite/want to sleep less.
hug!!!