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She also needs meds in the morning, so I at least wake her to take those and then let her sleep since I need to work. He works at home. She is forgetful and can't tell what time of day it is.

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My 93.5 y/o mother thinks it's a 'sin' to sleep late. Also a 'sin' to take a nap. When I was a kid, she was up at the crack of dawn to vacuum my room and had no respect for the fact that I wanted to sleep. To her, sleeping is a sign of laziness.

Who's to say 'how late is too late to sleep in', especially when a person is 88 years old? Who cares how late she sleeps! If she was up all hours of the day, she may be causing you all sorts of aggravation, who knows?

Let sleeping people sleep. And get her an Alzheimer's clock so she knows what day and time it is:

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=alzheimers+clock+calendar+extra+large&crid=15HXDAL6YJK79&sprefix=alzheimers+clock%2Caps%2C223&ref=nb_sb_ss_i_2_16

Good luck!
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I would allow her the dignity to sleep when she wants. We get very very tired at this stage of life; people who are not there cannot believe or understand it. So many choices are ripped away. Why should this one be as well?
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My dad has always been a late sleeper and as he gets older, age 99 this month, he sleeps later and later. We laugh that he's never been to breakfast at his assisted living facility, only occasionally goes to lunch and never misses dinner. He gets up barely in time for lunch or fixes himself a sandwich in his apartment. Then takes a nap, and wakes up for dinner. He only gets meds once a day and they arranged for them to be given in the evening, after dinner so that works well with a final check each day from the nurse before he goes to bed. I figure that at 99 he can sleep whenever he wants. If your mother-in-law seems happy with her schedule, and it's not disruptive to your family schedule (like preparing separate meals, etc.) why does it matter?
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What's normal for her? - is the first question.

If this is a marked change in her habits, it needs investigation. It isn't about her conforming to routines, it's about supporting her to maintain her preferred lifestyle.

How is she the rest of the time?
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elder people seem to sleep more. that seems to be a natural phenomena. If it's not bothering you, let her sleep in. think the issue is bedtime.

If you think there is an issue, call her doctor, get a UTI, blood test, check her carotid artery, any physical issues should be addressed. Your hubby should be able to address these issues when he takes her to the doctors.
The once a week pill for osteoporisis, can be discussed at the dr visit, is it necessary at her age? She that active? what is her mobility.
Blood pressure meds, can she take them at bedtime instead of AM.?
blood clot meds, can she take these at lunch time?
Hubby needs to sit down with her doctor, directly, and go through all meds, and if the times of day can be played with, to suit everyone's schedule. NOT JUST YOURS, HERS, OR HUBBY'S... EVERYBODY'S SCHEDULE.
What PILLS CAN BE REMOVED? DOCTOR, CAN YOU HAVE AN EVALUATION FOR IN HOME CARE AND/OR HOSPICE?
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at her age,... sleeping is so weird.
does she wake up in the middle of the night?
what is her routine?
Does it matter what time she wakes up? I can imagine when the family has to get up early, and she doesn't go to bed in timely matter.
A friend told me. a cup of warm milk and honey will help you to sleep.

Just re-read this: HIS 88 year old mom.....Not yours, so you may feel the burden was laid on you...He works at home, so he should be exercising her a bit,perhaps outside, or in a mall, park, PARK...
That won't matter... she is 889 and perhaps dementia and/ or sundowners is kicking in. The brain is a twisting a bit.. soon it will be ALZ, and she won't remember, worse than now, how to do simple things; brushing teeth, washing face, holding a fork or what it is used for, for that matter - spoon, hairbrush, everyday hygiene. HYGIENE... bathroom manners, everything that goes on in there.
SPEECH. Can she still talk, remember some peoples names? When she loses her speech, that is so sad. and communication is held on by a thread. a thread of what..
SO BE PATIENT, PLEASE. DO NOT CORRECT HER. When she loses more independence, you may see more FRUSTRATION FROM HER.. She cannot grasp it, but she knows she slowly LOSING IT. That is a very BIG PILL TO SWALLOW.
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can you start a new routine? ask the doctor if she can have them at bedtime. That way, you can make sure she gets them basically at same time without worrying about work, etc.
Don't fight over this issue.
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