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He feels very sleepy 2 hrs after eating. He seems to be in a downward spiral where he has no energy, yet doesn't feel very hungry. Therefore he doesn't eat much, which doesn't give him fuel....(I tried explaining this to him). He says he feels better after he eats, but then after about 2 hours he suddenly feels very sleepy again. He keeps loosing weight and muscle mass. His balance is getting worse, so he hunches over when he walks (sometimes with a walker) so he won't fall backwards. Generally speaking, this is a man who was very physically active until about age 75. He's had 2 hip replacements, recovered okay from them. My mother passed away almost 5 years ago. The first 2 years he seemed physically okay, the 3 year he slowed down a little and moved to an independent living facility. Year 3 even more so and now on year 5 he seems to be rapidly declining. He says he shouldn't be this way and has sent me the task to "look up on the computer" what is wrong with him.

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Is he eating high sugar foods? Drinking coffee? If so, they could cause an energy level drop after absorption and cause him to nap. On the other hand, if he's not very hungry, is he getting enough protein and well rounded diet? This can be a vicious cycle because if he's tired he's not going to walk or exercise, and that can make him less steady on his feet.

I think your first option should be his medical team, starting with his internist or PCP (if that's a very thorough doctor; some aren't). I would take him to an orthopedic doctor as well to address what may be osteoporosis.

There's a possibility of getting a back brace as well; the one we bought is made of really thick and tight elastic and does provide good support. We purchased it despite recommendations to the contrary by a physiatrist and orthopedic surgeon, who felt that exercise was better. We agreed, but at the stage of osteoporosis my father has, he needs some support - now.

PT would help as well if your father can get his energy back enough to do PT; that will certainly give him more balance strength.
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Obviously, food can cause sugar issues. I have Hypoglycemia and must eat several small meals a day. In fact, I have not had an attack for years because I snack. But, good snacks. Have they done blood work on him? If I eat a large meal of high sugar foods, I will become very sleepy easily. This is very dangerous. Have they done any test on him at all? The Independent Care homes have Institutional foods. Don't believe them when they say they have a diet person who knows what they are doing. Have him tested for Hypoglycemia and have his doctor do it NOW. But, be with him when they do it. About the third dose, he will become very ill if he as this. I agree with GardenArtist.... I have RA Oh God, I sound like an old person, RA, Hypoglycemia and breast issues.....Who am I to tell you how to handle this? BUT, with that said, the hypoglycemia is the worst. I can go to sleep with NO ISSUE at all if I am not careful. The back brace is a GREAT solution per Garden Artist. In fact, I think with my RA, I might try it. I wish you well with the solutions...Please let us know how it goes. I don't know where you get the brace. Would be curious...Do I have to have a doctor's prescription? Please get his blood sugars check asap
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OregonGirl, we got the back brace from a DME supplier. My father had become interested in one after trying it out at a health expo sponsored annually by his local community.

I spoke with both his physiatrist and orthopedic surgeon but both were unwilling to recommend one as they felt (as did I at the time) that exercise was the better option.

My father already had fairly severe osteoporosis, and even though he did exercise, he still had occasional back discomfort. The bigger issue though was the aberrant posture caused by the osteo.

So I called DME suppliers, found one that also had a rollator, and away we went. It was $40 or $45; we had no script, so it was paid out of pocket (and of course logged in my tax files as a medical cost.)

The only problem is that he can't latch the Velcro tabs himself so he needs help to put it on.
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High energy and high protein supplement drinks like ensure or resource helps and is often given to pts at the hospital where I work
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Get him to a doctor and have his thyroid and Vitamin D checked. He really needs a complete work up and this could be clinical depression which masks itself as something else. Men who lose spouses usually die within a year (so says the research - women last years longer) so the fact he has survived five years is great. Good luck!
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This is my dad as well. I'll definitely take him to his PCP, I've been getting worried. I think it's a form of depression as well. Thanks for all the suggestions.
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I could write a book about this. Short version, get him oxygen! Even if he only uses it at night, It makes huge difference. Get your doctor on board.
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My dad sleeps 20+ hours a day and has lived in the recliner for the 17 months since mom died. He gets weaker and weaker. Since your dad still seems to "get it," take him to the doctor for evaluation. My father says he's fine and won't go. I did get a chuckle out of him today. The Father's Day card I got said that you can pick a present: 1. A trip. 2. One million dollars. or 3. (open card) This card! Boy, you were easy to buy for!
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Oops, it's been 19 months. It's all a blur!
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I'm sorry, but sometimes we, including myself, over think things. My dad is 76, with Alzheimer's, and he is getting older. He too is losing muscle mass but maintaining a steady weight. What you've described doesn't sound abnormal for an elderly man of 82. Our bodies get tired. As we age they get tired quickly. Let him enjoy his naps, if he enjoys them. At 82 he's earned a nap whenever he needs one.
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Has your father seen a doctor about this problem? That's your first step, not this website.
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My dad is like this man and he has been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.
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Just my 2 cents.
Knowledge helps with making decisions.
Get a blood pressure monitor.
Get a glucose blood tester (finger poke device).
Thermometer.
Also compute his daily caloric intake by using a site such as CalorieCount.
Also check mouth, tongue etc.
Check vitals as best you can and see if anything looks off.
Test a few times a day to see if any on those show abnormal then at least you can make decisions on telling doctor. same with calories.
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Also hypoglycemics with reactive hypoglycemia tend to get tired after eating.

Don't know if it would help your dad but my wife is on low dose of REMERON for depression, appetite stimulant. and insomnia.
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IMO, everyone, as long as they can move, benefits from exercise. Find a PT or certified exercise therapist who could develop a simple exercise routine. Exercise is good for one's brain and mood. See if any on the staff can help. Very light weights, ball toss, Get him moving-even a little bit.
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It could be a side effect of his meds his heart rate may be to low!
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If he's amenable to a physical work up, you should try to get him in, for yout peave of mind and maybe his fatigue is as simply based as low o-sats. My own husband, aged 63, also has extreme muscle loss due to inactivity. He's severely depressed and altho he can work a 40 hr week, if he is not actively working, he's in bed and usually asleep. No amt of dr's intervention or family begging & pleading will get my husband to get out of bed on a non-work day. I have given up--at age 58 I am essentially a widow. Also, when people's bodies start to shut down, they want to sleep. Daddy did, before he died. Mother fussed at him to get up and move and he simply couldn't--his brain has ceased to function in a way that allowed him much movement. He was only 73. Parkinson's. Hard on Mom to see him go downhill so fast, but dying is a part of living. Of course you want to rule out any simple causation for this, but one thing I have learned, you can't make people get up and "be" or "do" what YOU want them to. I wish you luck.
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Stumbled across this site and I've never been so grateful in all my life.

My dad is much like yours. Sleeping ALL day, trying to get my dad outside for a walk, fresh air was not an option, he simply wanted to sleep...a computer, Koodoos!

I hate drugs. I feel that they only mask symptoms, certain meds cause even more problems BUT seeing my dad sleeping all day, not living, just existing made me feel horrible for him. Understanding that age, the inevitable declines that are a part of aging and losses (wife, siblings, house etc..) all play a role in the physical and mental decline of our aging parents but that doesn't mean we should sit by and watch with idle hands.
I decided to have a chat with my dad (this goes back many years) and I came right out and asked him about taking an antidepressant. I don't exactly recall what I said, how I said it but I did. It was daring, as I was asking a man who never took or needed a medication in his life, ate organically, I was going out on a limb and nervous cause I'd exhausted any other measures to get my dad out of bed.
Surprisingly, my dad agreed.
The mild dose of an anti-depressant really helped.
The anti-depressant helped my dad get out of bed, get outside, be willing to engage with others, live, laugh and I saw a newish man. Albeit, he still slept but he answered the phone, he went to his meals, he enjoyed our time together rather than finding reasons sleep.
At that time dad was living in a retirement home, unaided, could do as he wanted, meals were prepared or he could make his own.
I know everyone is different, situations are different, I'm just throwing this out there because no one else has and wayyyy back then, my dad became healthier due to the minor change.
I'm not a medication pusher, thought this might help.
(Thank you for letting me share the happy' s in my dad's life, lately they're few and far between).
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A man of 75 should be active.
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We have grown to expect to become frail by the time we are 75. My family has remained active into their late 80s and even up to 100. Don't assume that advanced age must be equated with frailty or ill health. Take your dad in for a complete physical and testing. He should be tested for thyroid & D3 as well as for B12 deficiency. The other problem could be diabetes. A glucose tolerance test will reveal if there's a problem with low or high blood sugar or possibly diabetes or hypoglycemia. Physical therapy could help his posture and his endurance and balance. My mother is having PT at 104 to help her regain her strength after multiple UTIs. Your dad could also be anemic.
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docwells2000, you are right on the money! I agree with you 100%!
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The loss of muscle mass has nothing to do with sleeping.Iti does have a lot to do with inactivity and lack of protein in his diet. spending too much time in bed and not exercising will also promote the loss of muscle.He sounds depressed, & it's easier to sleep that to deal with profound sorrow.
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Getting enough protein (not enough can relate to loss of muscle) and enough activity when mobility decreases can be a real challenge. As a caregiver, I found that offering cut up apple slices with peanut or almond butter spread on slices made a perfect mid morning or afternoon snack. My clients loved it and looked forward to. High in natural sugar and tasty, also had the side effect of keeping b.m.s regular. Men in particular are hesitant to use walkers or canes, but with encouragement will usually appreciate ability to get around. Some physical therapists will give directives to walk around the house, to the end of the street, something very doable that is short and can be increased to rebuild strength and may be worth a try. Walking (guardian angel style) along side someone can increase trust and feeling of safety if that is on concern. Also creates a time for discussion about past or other things of interest. My dad went very quickly from atherosclerosis and I never had the opportunity to do this with him, so know that this opportunity you have is very precious. Hope this is helpful.
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Unfortunately if you don't use it you lose it... It's the chicken and egg thing. Can he affirmed Physical Therapy? Make sure he is drinking enough fluids. Most elderly people do not drink enough water (soda doesn't help). Lack of fluids causes lethargy, weakness, confusion etc. Keep track of his fluid I take and try Boost.
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Boost and EnSure are loaded with HFCS (second ingredient after water), not the healthiest option. Google and watch The Bitter Truth about Sugar, then decide for yourself. Water and mild teas probably the best. Sometimes just placing a tumbler within reach is enough to encourage healthy water consumption.
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Thank you everyone for so many suggestions! There are other details that I did not share that he already tried that you had suggested, for example, he has tried some anti-depressants, but had suicidal side effects from them and stopped taking them immediately! If I wrote every single detail, it would be a book. I am planning to encourage him to see his PCP and look into diabetes, oesteoporases, a back brace, some exercise even if very little and snacking for more carlories. I have a few of your other idea in mind, and will refer back to this thread again as he tries some changes to see if they will help. I think generally, at age 83, declining health can be expected, but if he wants to try to make things better, then that's good! God bless!
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My dad is almost 93 and doesn't nap that long. He might fall asleep in front of the tv after lunch or take a nap in bed but it will only be for an hour or so. He is also losing muscle mass. Elderly do it seems even if they exercise regularly. I do agree with the rest about getting a full work up and watching his diet. At my father's retirement place they fix the big meal at noon. I don't know about you but I can't eat a full meal at noon because I will have to take a nap....think about Thanksgiving or any other holiday where you eat more than you can handle. At this age metabolisms slow way down and they can't process as quickly and then it's time to go eat again. Maybe a smaller meal at lunch and dinner would help him with energy. I got my dad some 2lb. weights also to do while watching tv. But I also agree that at an older age deserves to do what they want to do. However, I would get him checked out for sure first. Good Luck and God Bless
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My father also used to keep himself in pretty good shape (runner) but has arthritis in his knees now that have significantly reduced his mobility. He doesn't trust his legs to support him and is afraid of falling, so he looks down all the time, resulting in the hunching over. I've explained to him that this increases his chance of falling, but can't break through his instinct. (Has moderate dementia.) He does well with a walker alone but requires significant assistance with a cane, which he still insists on using upon occasion. A brace would not help and might be uncomfortable. He says he isn't hungry and doesn't eat or exercise on his own but has a surprisingly good appetite if someone fixes food and eats with him. He will also go to the gym and exercise in a limited fashion with a companion or he will walk (grudgingly) to accomplish an errand, such as take out the trash. He's been through PT - it made him stronger - but he didn't keep it up the exercises even though we tried to tease him into it. I agree you should get a blood panel from his doctor to pinpoint any possible physical issues, but I'm guessing the source is loneliness and depression and I'm advocating companionship first over medication.
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Also agree on making sure he gets enough protein and water. But in small amounts during the day. Preparing snacks in small amounts ahead of time for him to nibble on during the day has been more effective for us than large meals. We've also gone down to 2 meals/day (plus snacks) as he eats a late breakfast and retires early. The problem with being sedentary is you also get constipated.
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GJ, I think a lot of us could write a book.....maybe even a series. :)) Good Luck....
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