What is going on?(1)

Otis2424

My husband was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s this year. He is 76. He’s sleeping 10 hours a night and fitfully sleeping in his chair during the day. What is disturbing is he sleeps with his mouth wide open. His mouth and hands are moving. It s not a restful sleep. He wakes up and searches on the floor or on his chair with his hands for something. I ask what he’s looking for and he smiles and says nothing. Anybody know what is going on?  He can still do a lot on his own but can see him declining at a rapid rate.

M1

HI Otis, welcome to the forum. I'd just make a general observation that changes in sleep patterns and motor function are very much part of the disease. May not look restful to you, but it's probably just how his brain is at this point, and who knows whether its restful for him or not? Probably not explicable but not necessarily anything to worry about either.

Ed1937

Welcome aboard, Otis. Sorry you have a need for the forum, but it is a good one. 

When my stepdad got older, he would nap in a chair with his mouth open, and his hands shook. He did not have dementia, but he also did not search on the floor for something. I agree his sleep is probably restful for him, even though it doesn't appear that way. I wouldn't worry about it. 

toolbeltexpert

Otis2424 I can add anything but wanted to say welcome to the forum

Pat6177

Otis2424, I have nothing to add on the issue of your DH’s sleep. But you said you are seeing a rapid decline so I gather there are other things you are seeing changes in besides the sleeping. I’m sorry. It is so hard to watch our PWDs change in front of our eyes.