Sleeping ALL Day-88-year old Mom

Kari99

I’m new to this group. This summer I’ve seen my Mom deteriorate. She wandered outside, which was a first, and the last few weeks there have been occasions where she has not recognized me. She also frequently asks to go “home,” even though she lives at home. Now I’m seeing her sleep A LOT and she appears more frail. She’s still eating, which is good. I’m scared what the next stage may await.

terei

If you have not gotten hospice in, I would suggest you call them to have her assessed. Good luck.

PEMDAS

I am fortunate, as my husband (who is 86) is a veteran, and therefore, we have the VA to help us. He sleeps close to 20 hours a day, and then he is still very tired and weak. I am 66, and the physical toll it takes to get him in bed and to the toilet, etc, is often difficult.

However, my main concern is what happens if I get hurt and I can no longer care for him, and I need help immediately. Where can I get immediate assistance for someone to take over, as there will be a waiting list for the nursing home? Every day, I live stressed out and isolated. One day at a time seems like a whole year sometimes. ugh

Kari99

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/249641#Comment_249641

Thank you for your reply. May I ask what stage your husband is at? My Mom can sleep up to 20 hours. She can still communicate and go to the restroom on her own. She still eats; albeit not a lot, but still eats and drinks water. I hired a FT caretaker and pray she can still remain at home until the end. I hope you find the support you need.

harshedbuzz

@Kari99

Hi and welcome. I am sorry for your reason to be here but pleased you found this place.

This is a staging tool that can help you understand where mom is in her disease progression. Most PWD straddle 2 or even 3 stages at once but they're considered to be in the latest stage for which they have symptoms/behaviors. Each journey is unique to a degree. Dad was somewhat unusual in that his digestion and swallowing were compromised (Stage 7), he'd lost over 15% of his body weight, but he was still highly verbal, knew mom and me and was still ambulatory.

DBAT.pdf

If mom's lost considerable weight, hospice services may be appropriate at this time.

HB

Kari99

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/249661#Comment_249661

Thank you! I see that everyone’s journey is different and symptoms vary with each person.

PEMDAS

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/249649#Comment_249649

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/249649#Comment_249649

I believe (as it is so hard and the stages seem to blur into each other), but he is in the later though, according to this chart that I have reviewed. This week seems (to me) that is dissapating quickly.5. Severe (Late) Alzheimer's:

• Individuals require around-the-clock care and supervision. 
• They may lose the ability to communicate, walk, eat, or use the toilet independently. 
• Plaques and tangles spread throughout the brain, leading to significant shrinkage. 
• The focus shifts to providing comfort and palliative care

PEMDAS

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/249649#Comment_249649

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/249649#Comment_249649

I believe my husband is in one of the last stages. He can no longer be left alone, even for a moment. It seems to me that the stages are not linear, and sometimes he has "good" days and then the next day he is not aware. He is on palliative care at this point. I have talked to my VA physician, and he is now on the waiting list for our nursing home. The VA said they have no idea how long the list is, and since he is being well taken care of at home, he is not a priority. This is ok with me as I have to adjust myself to the transition as well. I do not want to wait for a crisis, however, "one day at a time".

UGH