CaringinVA Asked January 21, 2024
My LO is sleeping a lot more in a 24 hour period now.
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In the past 2 weeks, we have noticed a shift. She is at our home on hospice, bedridden. Up until now, she has been alert and engaged in conversation with us and caregivers. Yes, she needed her daily nap, but now she sleeps more than she is awake. We have to wake her to eat, to be refreshed and changed, and other things about her care. Is this an indication of being closer to the end of her life? Would be interested to hear your input. Thanks!
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My late husband slept 16-20 hours for about the last 6 months of his life, so if this just started for your loved one, it could still go on for a while.
And I guess I'm not clear as to why you feel the need to wake up your loved one "to eat, to be refreshed and changed, and other things about her care." I understand if her diaper needs to be changed, or medicine needs to be taken at a certain time, but anything else, I would just let her sleep.
If she's hungry enough she will wake up and let you know.
The true sign that someone is "actively" dying is when they don't want to eat or drink, and it is then that food or drink should NOT be forced on them as the digestive system is the first to start to shut down and it can quite painful to eat or drink.
Hospice can better walk you through what may or may not lie ahead, but remember, only God knows the day and time that He will call your loved one Home.
I would just say that you and your family should just enjoy whatever time you may have left with her and make sure that you leave nothing left unsaid.
Increased sleeping is a decline.
Make sure your Hospice Nurse is aware of this change and any other changes you have noticed.
I don’t think we are quite at that point yet. She eats well when she does eat, and she continues to have an appetite. She also has no swallowing issues, so I feel like we are good there.