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Hi everyone. I am noticing my mom, who was diagnosed 7 years ago with Alzheimer's, is sleeping for up to 17 hours a day now. She still can eat so swallowing isn't an issue. She is advanced but when a patient sleeps for this many hours, is that a sign that she is taking a turn for the worst, or can this go on for years? Last year, she definitely was awake for more hours. Thanks!

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It really depends on how stable she is otherwise, the nurses at my mom's nursing home told me that they can go on a long time as long as they don't have a fall, infection or some other acute event. By the last years of her life my mom (with vascular dementia) was asleep far more than she was awake, in her final 18 months at the NH she was really only awake for meals and slept/dozed probably 20+ hours/day.
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frustratedinny Apr 2021
Hi. Thanks for your input. She doesn't have any other comorbidities, however she is 90 and just over the last year, she now sleeps for 17 hours. This is a new development that has been happening over the last few months. In the mornings, it is very hard to wake her now. That is a new development as well. She eats and then is tired and goes to sleep. She gets up around 3 and goes to sleep for the night at 8pm. I think this is the time she is most alert. What I notice is how she is changing over time, instead of the fact that she sleeps more by itself.
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With my parents we were told there are three signs of end of life. One is sleeping most all the time, a much deeper and hard to rouse them sleep. Next is loss of any interest in food. And a loss of communication. These were very true. I hope you’ll look into hospice care
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frustratedinny Apr 2021
Thank you for your very helpful response. She is definitely harder to rouse when she is sleeping a nd sometimes we just can't wake her. But when she is awake, she knows what is going on around her. She is able to put together between 3 and 7 words, but mainly she mumbles incoherently. However, since last year, she is definitely weaker and she sleeps more. Also she is like a ragdoll now when she is placed in the wheel chair. Not sure if this is from being bed bound or the alzheimers. Thanks again.
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I guess that's really a question for her Dr. Is your mom in a facility, as your profile says that you're caring for your dad at home, but no mention of mom? Is the facility telling you she's sleeping that much, and if so, why aren't they getting her up to involve her in more activities?
Perhaps it might be time to get hospice involved. Again, her Dr can tell you if he/she thinks it's time for that. Wishing you the best.
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frustratedinny Apr 2021
I have to update my profile, I apologize about the confusion. Our dad passed away 2 years ago, sadly. Our mom is at home receiving 24/7 care in her medical bed. She is completely dependent on others for care. She is 90 now and her virtual visit for her dr is in May. Just wondering if anyone experienced a loved one with alzheimer's sleeping more (17 hours) and how long were they in this condition before they needed hospice.
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