Get advice from his medical and nursing team. Is he ready for a hospice referral, or is that not something you've discussed?
This isn't as simple a question as you might think - it just leads to lots of other questions, such as - Is he in fact sleeping, or just quiet Is he taking any pain relief, which might affect both his appetite and his alertness Is he able to swallow without discomfort Is he on oxygen
Then there is - what do you mean by "wake" him? Going in to check on him and to offer him food and fluids shouldn't mean disturbing him past the point where he can easily get back to sleep if he prefers to.
So if you're hesitant about waking him, I hope that doesn't mean that you're not going in to his room?
I’ve seen elderly LOs, where it’s much better to wake them up. Loss of appetite leads to more loss of appetite. And some people sleep too much: sad, bored, escaping through sleep.
Sometimes they’re fully awake, with energy, if there’s something joyful going on.
You know best the whole situation, whether you should wake him up or not. Trust your instincts.
If he's hungry he will wake up himself. It sounds like perhaps his body is getting ready to transition from this world to the next. When that starts the digestive system starts to shut down and food and drink are not wanted or needed. Only if he asks for either should you give it to him, as it can be quite painful for him to take either. I hope at this point that you have hospice involved, as they will be a great help and answer any questions you may have. They will supply any and all equipment, supplies, and medications all covered 100% under your fathers Medicare. They will also have a nurse to come check on him once a week to start and an aide to bathe him at least twice a week. Best wishes.
I would let him sleep. As a person declines they require less nutrition. Decreased activity means there is a decrease in the need for calories. You should be changing his position at lease every 2 hours so he is less likely to develop pressure sores. It is also a good chance to change him if he is incontinent. If he is getting up to use the bathroom (if that is the case would probably switch to a bedside commode just for safety) you can offer a snack then. If you do not have Hospice at this point I would strongly encourage it. They can help in so many ways. From supplies, equipment and emotional support for your dad and the rest of the family.
This isn't as simple a question as you might think - it just leads to lots of other questions, such as -
Is he in fact sleeping, or just quiet
Is he taking any pain relief, which might affect both his appetite and his alertness
Is he able to swallow without discomfort
Is he on oxygen
Then there is - what do you mean by "wake" him? Going in to check on him and to offer him food and fluids shouldn't mean disturbing him past the point where he can easily get back to sleep if he prefers to.
So if you're hesitant about waking him, I hope that doesn't mean that you're not going in to his room?
I’ve seen elderly LOs, where it’s much better to wake them up. Loss of appetite leads to more loss of appetite. And some people sleep too much: sad, bored, escaping through sleep.
Sometimes they’re fully awake, with energy, if there’s something joyful going on.
You know best the whole situation, whether you should wake him up or not. Trust your instincts.
I hope at this point that you have hospice involved, as they will be a great help and answer any questions you may have. They will supply any and all equipment, supplies, and medications all covered 100% under your fathers Medicare.
They will also have a nurse to come check on him once a week to start and an aide to bathe him at least twice a week.
Best wishes.
As a person declines they require less nutrition.
Decreased activity means there is a decrease in the need for calories.
You should be changing his position at lease every 2 hours so he is less likely to develop pressure sores. It is also a good chance to change him if he is incontinent. If he is getting up to use the bathroom (if that is the case would probably switch to a bedside commode just for safety) you can offer a snack then.
If you do not have Hospice at this point I would strongly encourage it. They can help in so many ways. From supplies, equipment and emotional support for your dad and the rest of the family.