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Constant sleeping

tktyboo
tktyboo Member Posts: 6
5 Care Reactions First Comment
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in Caring For a Spouse or Partner

Today I learnt that my wife is at the seventh stage by watching Tam Cummings' YouTube video. Rather saddening to understand what comes next. She has been bedridden since 2021 after a fall that caused no injuries but appeared to knock her get up go spirit out of her. In the last five days she has just started sleeping for extended periods, 24, 36 hours and more. In fact today I couldn't wake her up properly not even while changing her. As for food and drink, I only managed to get a tiny amount of ensure into her. Two days ago she ate solid food and was clearly awake to do so but since then the change has become significant.

Has anyone any tips on how to wake her up fully? While I am concerned about getting nutrition into her I also don't want to cause her to choke as she is a somnolent state.

Thanks

Comments

  • gampiano
    gampiano Member Posts: 329
    Third Anniversary 100 Care Reactions 100 Likes 100 Comments
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    Hello,

    Having just gone through this with my husband, I can tell you that, once a person reaches this stage, the body is signaling that it wants to shut down. Keep your wife comfortable, don't force feed her. Mouth care is important , swab the inside of her mouth and her tongue. Use something to keep her lips moist. If you are administering meds, put them in ice cream and let the melting conduct the medication . A spoonful takes awhile to dissolve, and i was concerned that my husband wasn't getting the meds, which he needed for sleep , until he didn't. Hydrating a person at this stage is not usually advised, they can become more uncomfortable as this can cause swelling. Comfort is the main goal .

    Wishing you both a short journey in this stage,

    Maureen

  • Jeanne C.
    Jeanne C. Member Posts: 805
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    I'm sorry you're at this stage. It may be time to contact hospice. They'll be able to help you understand what's happening and, most importantly, keep your wife comfortable. You're in my thoughts.

  • lindalouielou
    lindalouielou Member Posts: 6
    First Comment
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    https://alzconnected.org/discussion/66998/constant-sleeping

    What is the title or date of the you tube video? My husband has been constantly sleeping as well. This has been going on for about 3 weeks. I'm new to this group and just trying to wrap my head around all of this. He was diagnosed with Dementia several years ago.

  • tktyboo
    tktyboo Member Posts: 6
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    https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/187856#Comment_187856

    thank you for sharing your experience. A couple of questions:

    When you say swab, is that just with a wet q-tip, or something else?

    I hate to ask but how long did it take?

    Oh dear, I am afraid she died just now as I was trying arrange hospice care.

  • tktyboo
    tktyboo Member Posts: 6
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    https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/187871#Comment_187871

    The video was done by Dr. Tam Cummings and here is a link

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6l01RtZPg7c

    Hope it helps. Unfortunately my wife died today so it was pretty short period of constant sleeping.

    The description of stage 7 starts about 48 minutes in.

  • toolbeltexpert
    toolbeltexpert Member Posts: 1,583
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    Tktyboo sorry to hear of your loss. No words of comfort or wisdom can help.i will be praying for you.

    Stewart

  • ghphotog
    ghphotog Member Posts: 667
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    https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/187888#Comment_187888

    I am so sorry to hear about your wife.

  • tktyboo
    tktyboo Member Posts: 6
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    https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/187872#Comment_187872

    Sorry this sounded really callous but I was just shocked and just wanted to finish my reply so that I could attend to her needs.

    To answer my own question the really extended sleeping of eight hours plus, as well as nighttime sleep, started about 6 weeks before her death. The last two weeks was when she started seeping for 12+ hours and was progressively more difficult to arise for food and water. The final two days she was almost impossible to wake up and barely interested in accepting food or water. Changing her was like manipulating a rag doll since she appeared to have no control over her muscles. I wish I had realized what this actually told me about her state maybe I could have helped her more.

  • CindyBum
    CindyBum Member Posts: 268
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    You did all that you could for you wife, tktyboo. She was ready to go. Please do not beat yourself up about the reality of where this disease will ultimately take all of our loved ones.

  • midge333
    midge333 Member Posts: 291
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    I am sorry for your loss.

  • SDianeL
    SDianeL Member Posts: 884
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    so sorry for your loss. Prayers for your comfort. She was lucky to have you.

  • lindalouielou
    lindalouielou Member Posts: 6
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    https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/187888#Comment_187888

    Thank you so much!

Commonly Used Abbreviations


DH = Dear Husband
DW= Dear Wife, Darling Wife
LO = Loved One
ES = Early Stage
EO = Early Onset
FTD = Frontotemporal Dementia
VD = Vascular Dementia
MC = Memory Care
AL = Assisted Living
POA = Power of Attorney
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