Follow
Share

For the past several months this has been an issue with my 94 YO mother with afib/mild dementia. She sleeps around 10pm gets up around 3am for bathroom break then I get her up at 7 and 9 for pills. Every morning I try to get her out of bed by 930 but she keeps pushing this back 'give me 15 min' to the point that its almost 11am before she starts getting up. We need an additional 30 min to get dressed and get her downstairs. This in turn impacts feeding schedule. Any ideas to work around issue

This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.
You say she's up for the bathroom and is getting her meds so I don't think there is any necessity to push her to get out of bed. If she's losing weight you could bring a piece of toast, some crackers or an ensure with her morning meds - have her sit on the side of the bed to eat - and then allow her to "nap" until she's ready to get up.
One thing I learned from my caregiving experience is to not sweat the small stuff, things like rigid schedules for meds and meals really don't matter in the long run.
Helpful Answer (4)
Report

It depends what's caused her increased desire to sleep, so I should get that checked out first. Once you do have a clearer idea, here are a couple of options:

1. Worry less about the feeding schedule. If the medications allow it, let her have a piece of toast or some banana or a yoghurt or whatever when she wakes to take them, then make lunch her first proper meal of the day.

2. If her cardiac team agree, encourage a 1-2 hour nap, a proper one lying down on or in bed, in the afternoon after lunch. Recharging her batteries (so to speak) at this time might help her stamina for the rest of the day; but anyway build in naps where you think they'll best support her own natural schedule.

Don't roust her out of bed for the sake of it, though. There probably is a good reason she wants those extra minutes.
Helpful Answer (3)
Report

I am curious why, at this point, it is important to you to keep to a schedule. Your Mom is 94.
It is common for our elders, whether with dementia or not, to sleep more and eat less as their condition progresses toward the end of life. My own Dad in mid 90s admitted he was so done with it all, fun it had been, and now longed for nothing but the "final long nap". I was a nurse, and had heard it before, trust me, from so many elders.
They honestly are simply "tired". Nothing to do with depression or giving up. Just a fact.

Tell me more about these meds, their suggested schedule. Or your own schedule needs. I would bet this isn't the prime imperative for mom anymore. Looking forward to update from you, and wishing you the best of luck.
Helpful Answer (2)
Report

Why are you getting her up at 7 and 9 for pills? My Mom had morning and night. Does she really need all her pills? Cholesterol can be stopped IMO. Statins are proven they contribute to Dementia and are not good for the liver. Blood thinners like Warfarin/Coumadin contribute to internal bleeding and should be stopped at some point.

I would check with your pharmacist how her pills should be taken. Maybe its not so much when, just that she gets them. Its not unusual for people ur Moms age to sleep 12 hrs or more. Her AFib problem may contribute to her tiredness. Maybe a trip to the doctor. Have you checked her pause ox and bloodpressure. Low blood pressure does cause tiredness. Labs will show any problems.
Helpful Answer (2)
Report

Lord have mercy....let your poor mother sleep however long she wants to!
At 94 years old, don't you think she's earned that right?
And like already said, why must she be woken up at 7:00 and again at 9:00 for her medications? Can they not all be given at either 7:00 or 9:00 or even better when she finally wakes up, even if it's at 11:00?
People at your mothers age and even younger tend to sleep a lot, and a lot don't care much about eating either. It seems that you're the one who is all bent out of shape over your poor mother messing up "your" routine, instead of you just chilling and working around her routine. And if she misses a meal, guess what? She's not going to care one bit.
So take a deep breath and get off this crazy hamster wheel you're wanting your mother to be on and let her enjoy her final time here on earth. And if her enjoyment comes from sleeping a lot, well...let her sleep.
Helpful Answer (1)
Report

So your getting her up 5hrs after her going to bed and then getting her up 4 hours later and 2hrs after? Far be it for me to tell you about your sched with your mom. But she is 94. They sleep more. I don't think that sched is great at all. Maybe get a purewick?? That way she wouldn't have to get up at 3... Or at least some depends but I wouldn't have my mom at that age on that schedule. That's almost as bad as being in the hospital. When she eats isn't as important as how much or what she eats. Protein Protein Protein. Get some Boost or Ensure. That helps. But I think that schedule might be making her irritable. That's not a lot of sleep for someone her age. She starts sleeping well then has to get up. She can eat a good breakfast or big lunch with a good portion of protein to make up for breakfast if it's almost 12 when she gets up. She's not in boot camp or at work. Let her do what she wants at this point. Just make sure she's getting the proper nutrients when she eats. Meats high in protein and fish or even dinners high in protein. Whatever she likes. Plus with the boosts or ensure or other protein drinks that will definitely help. But let her rest. She's 94. She deserves to rest and get up when she wants. Obviously not 2 but maybe get a bedside commode so it won't be so much to get her up and to the bathroom and all of that production. A purewick you will not have to do anything but empty the cannister and change the pick or whatever the thing is called when she gets up in the morning. Then she can sleep all the way through. That would help you from getting her up and her where she can sleep and not be disturbed. Whatever you decide I hope something works to help you all.... Good Luck!
Helpful Answer (1)
Report

This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.
Ask a Question
Subscribe to
Our Newsletter