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My 78 yr old husband sleeps well at night, but he no sooner gets up when he's in the chair sleeping, sometimes even before breakfast! He often sleeps after breakfast until nearly lunch, then after lunch until almost dinner. I try to get him out to do things, but he says he's too weak. He also has Parkinson's which isn't helping. I don't know what to do to help him.

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It is possible that your husband has Parkinson's and Alzheimer's, but the more usual combination is Parkinson's and Dementia with Lewy Bodies, since both Parkinson's and DLB involve protein deposits in the brain, called Lewy bodies (for the doctor that discovered them). What kind of a doctor is treating your husband for this? Is it a neurologist well experienced with dementia?

Anyway, whatever type of dementia he has, the excessive daytime sleepiness may be treatable. My husband took Provigil for that condition and it was very helpful for years. Have you discussed this problem with your husband's doctor?

As my husband entered the end stage he began to sleep more and more, and the medication became ineffective. Eventually he sleep more than 20 hours a day.

My husband's doctor knew that his condition (Dementia with Lewy Bodies) could not be cured, but he felt strongly about giving his patients the best quality of life they could have. So he treated the excessive daytime sleepiness right up until the last stage. I am grateful for that.
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My mother had low thyroid, along with taking blood pressure and cholesterol meds. Once she got the thyroid med her sleepiness was resolved in additon to taking another cholesterol med that she can take at any time and does not make her sleepy and she was taken off the bp med.
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Father with alz/dementia was sleeping almost all day and night. Eat, sleep in recliner, nap, eat, sleep in recliner, nap, etc. Had covers over his bedroom windows so it was like a cave. But that seemed "normal" for someone in their nineties. Would have been great that way until the end- then went to the hospital with an infection and never walked or came home again. Spent almost 3 years in a SNF which I wouldn't wish on anyone. Passed away two weeks ago when he was almost 96. I believe sleep is just nature's way of handling old age.
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Husband has Alzheimers. Mid 70s. He sleeps most of the time, wants to stay in bed. Sometimes he just lays there, not sure what he is looking at, he rarely puts the tv on anymore. Gets up, comes out for more juice, then back to bed. Sometimes he sleeps, I would say, about 23 hours a day. Nothing keeps him interested, as I said he seldom puts the tv on. And he might turn it off after a few minutes. At least I know where he is.....he eats in the bedroom, gets up to use the bathroom. I believe his brain cannot be stimulated enough to keep it alert, awake.
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So, when they just want to sleep we just let them? I have always tried to get mom up and moving, doing something, but lately all she wants to do is sleep, not eat, seems to have lost all interest in everything...I truly believe that if she lived alone she would just lay in bed until someone found her...I think her will to live is gone. But how do we deal with that? Is it ok to just let her sleep her life away? I don't know the answers, but I think we are all "scared". Hugs to you and prayers being sent your way...hang in there.
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Letting him sleep and stay in bed is easier than trying to fight. And its surprising how strong he still is.
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I am caring for my 80 year old mother who has Alzheimers and we are suspecting also Lewy's Body Dementia. She sleeps 12-14 hours at night and then likes to dose during the day. Everything is exhausting for these poor people. Things that you and I do with minimal effort requires so much more energy to move commands and thoughts through their minds let alone getting the body to respond. You are not a bad caregiver for not making him get up and go and be involved with everything. To what degree you can, let him set the pace. A shower and meals are about all my mother can handle in a day. We just make those necessary things as pleasant as possible.
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I think it is a blessing that he is able to sleep. So many caregivers are dealing with sun downing and agitation from their loved ones. Sleep is natures way of dealing with many hard parts of our lives. As we wind down I think we need more sleep, just as infants need sleep as they are growing. I would not wake my infant and my Mom can sleep all she wants - she deserves it at 90 years old.
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I can't disagree with what anyone has said here, and I thank you for taking the time to reply. I guess it's just normal. I'm so new to this because this changes my husband and I are experiencing came on suddenly just about a month ago. Doctors can't find any medical condition to explain it (infection, TIA, etc.) It is apparently just the nature of the beast. Learning to cope is just so hard....I am researching on line and trying to find out as much as I can. Unfortunately, so much of it is just too confusing and overwhelming for me to comprehend. Always thought I was pretty smart...not so much now. I often feel like I'm in a foreign land where everyone is speaking a different language that I don't know. That is why is am "scared"....fear of the unknown is so hard to deal with.
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My husband w mild dementia also sleeps lots. Early to bed late to rise w/naps in between. If I wake him to go someplace it takes a lot longer to get ready so plan extra time. I sometimes feel the outside air helps a little. Our Dr. said whats wrong w/sleeping? It certainly is better than up at night. I thank the Lord for his rest.
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@ Scared: I was/am so glad to read about other's dealing with the issue of sleeping for 23+ hours at a time! I have just let him do this and at first would check on him every few minutes to make sure he was still breathing because I was so worried. Time went by and I grew to appreciate the days he slept anywhere from 16-23 hours and counted them as his gift to me because I could rest and if I had any energy, even get some things accomplished around the house due his many demands when he was awake. It IS scary - at first - but since you and the doctor have ruled out any infections, TIA's etc, it does seem like it is 'the nature of the beast'.
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At that age energy reserves are very low- last summer had to take 95 year old father from nursing home to get bedsore looked at by a dermatologist- ten minute ride. Slept in wheelchair (no problem) but as the doctor was examining him he remained sound asleep throughout the whole thing!
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my mom has Alzheimer and she also sleeps a lot -she gets day and night confused and often wants to go to bed at 5 in the afternoon.A couple of months ago she slept all day and night-then all of the sudden she couldn't breathe ,to make along story short-had to call 911 -found out she had congested heart failure.Fatigue was the most noticeable symptom.
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I am having the issue with sleeping a whole lot, (husband is) I mean. He also has esophageal tumor, I am at my wits end. He just sits and stares for a long time. Sometimes he can play cards or fold clothes..but that is about it. Glad I have somewhere to vent.
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I have the opposite problem with Mom . She is 85 and was diagnosed with Parkinsons over 12 years ago. She has been suffering from dementia for about 7 years and I have been taking care of her at home for the last 5 years. She is nonstop energy and needs 2 seroquel to sleep at night. she is in a wheelchair for the past year and a half due to bad falls because of weakness from the PD and the inability to understand what is safe and what is not. She will not nap during the day, but is in adult day health now, 4 days/week and home on Wednesdays. Some days she is exhausted when I get her home, so I put her to bed for a "rest" and she does not sleep. hands and feet and mouth going the entire time.
I had to Mom-proof the house as she will reach out and grab anything in her path as we go by! She was OCD her entire life, so it's 10 times worse now. this is the main reason i keep her home, as they would drug her to the max so that she could not get up on her own. restraints are not an option in facilities, but they do like to use chemical restraints. Mom is still happy at home, but a lot of work to lift and feed and wash and dress. she is so easily distracted, that it takes a half hour or more to even feed her.
I recently cut as much sugar out of her diet as I could as an experiment. She was getting way too many UTIs and was allover in her behavior. Without all the sugar the paid giver fed her to fatten her up, Mom's comprehension has improved to where it is noticeable by everyone who works with her. Also, since bacteria feeds on sugar, her diapers are no longer dark in color and smelly.
Scared, in a way I have to agree with the comments by those who feel lucky their loved ones sleep a lot. I have the other end of the spectrum and it sure is one hell of a ride!!
I know it's scary and you would like to spend more time with him, but be thankful he is not running away or keeping you up all night. Leanne has some great advice on the subject and maybe you should talk to his doctor about something to help keep him awake more. Good Luck!
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Deefer12: I guess I should count my blessings. They always say that if everyone put their problems in a pile on the floor, you'd end up picking yours back up because it was probably the smallest in the first place! Amen! I would just like my husband to exercise mind and body more...short walks, maybe do some crossword puzzles, read....I think it would be better for his overall health. I do sympathize with your situation, though. You are a saint....I don't know if I have the stamina, patience, strength or courage to take care of my husband as his condition continues to deteriorate. This is why I am so worried...I just don't know if I can do it. I know there is help available, but until my husband can't shower, shave, toilet, feed himself, I can't get any help. In the meantime, I watch and worry and wonder how I will cope. I know it's not about me...it's about him...but I am scared; really, really scared.
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Been scared many times! In the beginning my heart was in my throat all the time. I never knew what was going to happen next. Mom had many falls. Some were minor, but many were not! Like the night I found her on the bathroom floor with her neck resting on the edge of the stall shower. Back then she weighed more and it took me a while to figure out if she was hurt before I could move her. She had a crease mark on her neck and shoulder for a few days.
Then there was the time I heard a big bang and found her on the den floor with the TV inches from her head! Each time she appeared to be sleeping soundly, but she would get up and wander. I only had a baby monitor then and she was whisper quiet when she moved around. That was from years of raising 7 children!
Now she has a high tech wheelchair that she can't get out of or tip over no matter how hard she tries. It's a life saver for me. I also have 3 cameras so I can watch her on my laptop when I need to get things done. the one in her bedroom is infrared and I can see her clearly when she is sleeping. She no longer gets out of bed alone. Hasn't for over a year, so at least I can get some sleep at night!
She had LTC insurance and that paid for help the last 3 1/2 years, or I could not have done this for so long. We used that all up, so now I only have help on Weds. and the weekends. Daycare is from 9-3 and it's a lot of work for me to get her there, but she needs the interaction and I need the time!
As for Seroquel as mentioned in another thread, it's the only thing that helps Mom sleep and she was already late stage dementia before she started taking it. I don't recommend it for anyone just starting out and you do have to be careful. But mom is at the stage where the Seroquel is a blessing as she would not get any rest at night without it. It's better than placing her somewhere and having them use God only knows what to keep her out of trouble!
It's a long process and you should contact all your local elder agencies and see what kind of services you have in your area. Take advantage of anything you find.
AS you are learning, many of us have been and are dealing with the same issues, so feel free to vent and ask away when you are not sure.
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Thx, deefer12. You certainly are doing all you can and I truly admire you for that. It's hard to believe that LTC insurance didn't last more than 3-1/2 yrs! We have it, too, but I guess I will have to put that off as long as possible because there is no way I could afford any help out of pocket. It will soon be a year since I worked because we moved to another state (big, big, big mistake, but I didn't know my husband was suffering from Alzheimer's...the signs were not obvious to me and NO one, not one of his doctor's said a word) and I couldn't find a job. Now I couldn't work because I can't leave my husband alone all day because he wouldn't eat or take his meds even if I call him on the phone and tell him to....he forgets a minute later...I wish there were some easy answer for all of us. I also wish I could get my husband to understand the problem, but he can't. He thinks "all is right with the world". Maybe I should try on those rose-colored glasses! :-) Thx for the comments and encouragement.
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My husband also has dementia and sleeps except to eat or if I want to do something and he is afraid I might get attacked. As soon as we return he is ready to sleep again. We also have LTI WHICH ONLY lasts for the amt of years we signed up for but not years but $ used. Read fine print as we pay for 90 days before they pay. I am also checking into Veterans Aid and Assistance most don't know about. I try not to worry about tomorrow but getting facts in case. He knows his memory is bad but thats all. I've been doing a lot of reading about dos and don'ts which help plus hearing about others in same problems. I know the Lord has promised to not leave us and will always take care of us even tho it may not be what we expect.
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Dear Scared,

Caregiving is an exhausting job and we are all fearful of the unknown, especially when we are observing our loved ones deteriorate. However, my advice.... BE GRATEFUL. Be grateful that you are able to care for him, that he has the love, care and support of YOU instead of deteriorating in a nursing home, that he "does" have some of his faculties and that he is ALIVE and living his last years in your comfort and care. What else could one ask for? So I say........... let him sleep ......... Sleep is healthy, or it can be his escape. No matter, it is "his" right and desire. Let him be at peace while you give him the best care you know how. Oftentimes my mom sleeps 14-16 hours per day. Why would I want to awaken her? She is at peace, her mind "quiet" and her paranoia non-existent. When she is at rest and peace, I am at peace, and it is another good day. Keep up the great work and "be grateful".
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I am so glad that I sow my wild oaks in my sixth's and now in my 70's I have no need to get out to do something, I now just enjoy staying at home with my one and only. I am grateful for her companionship,for now,johnnycares
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Thank you for your comments and suggestions. I am slowly learning what is best for my husband and for me. My husband still sleeps a lot, but not as much as before. I am thankful for the time because it gives me some respite, too, but I worry that he is not getting enough exercise and will deteriorate even more. He doesn't want to even go for a walk much. He goes to PT twice a week, but he doesn't want to do that anymore either. It tires him out, but it's because the other 5 days he just sits. I really believe he would be better in every way if he would walk every day even if it were only for 15 or 20 minutes. I know I feel better now that I have started walking again. Thank you again.
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My father has Alzhemiers and I just keep him comfortable... I make sure he gets up out of the bed for at least 3 hours a day...I make sure he gets up for all his meals breakfast lunch and dinner, lunch being the longest...when the sun is outside I have him sit on the porch and get fresh air...He likes to lay in bed because he is just comfortable there, he has Cataracts secondary to his diabetes and renal failure...and other issues he does know his dob..address..and phone number..and his ssn...I just keep him comfortable thats about all you can do is just keep them happy...he is in no pain and is surrounded by lots of love coming in and out of the house, he is unable to care for himself physically we do everything for him except feed him (he likes to eat) even when he has just eaten, I know its hard and I do a lot of crying but he is my dad and I don't know what else to do but just do what I am doing....Good luck to all of you I have been doing this for more that 4 years now...Its takes lots of patience
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Thank you for your comments, mammielue. Your are so right...patience is the key...I am trying hard to develop more! Very, very difficult!
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My husband is 80 and was diagnosed with dementia about three years ago. He has just started sleeping most of the day after sleeping all night. The doctor put him on a generic haldol because he was having outbursts. Now he just sleeps. He is in excellent health other than the dementia. Should I make him stay awake more?
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my wife 83 has copd and alzheimers she sits on bed falling al seep about all day is she in the last stage
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My mother (who has had dementia 4 =/- yrs) has just begun to be sleepy all day and sleeps 12-14 hours at night. Is this indicative of a physical problem or the dementia advancing? In addition, her hearty appetite has diminished significantly. What, if anything to do?
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My 80 year old wife has vascular dementia since 2011 and has really gone downhill fast this last year, 2014 to 2015 from really interested in life with some sleepiness to basically an invalid yet still in great physical health except for continuing mini strokes in her memory as the rest of her brain is perfect as 3d brain scans show a healthy brain...but she is fading fast if length of sleep has any correlation to time left to live because both our quality of life is terrible as I , her loving husband of 40 years cannot get 10 feet away from her as she has some six sense if I am out of the room and cries out for me to be there.

This is house arrest for a caregiver and I am at the thinking that death is better than dementia, and I am now waiting for Nature, God or "The Force" to be with her and let her pass in her sleep peacefully.

I would hate to put her in a home as she was so full of life, vivacious and smart and to see her like that ...well I am in tears as I write this..as it is worse for the elderly caregiver than the patient as our life cannot stay on hold for long either.

So any bets on Time left from signs of lots of sleep to end of life?
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Wandering is very common. If the patient sleeps at all, for any period of time it is a blessing. Wandering is not just walking around or being a flight risk. Wandering includes just walking around the house and getting into things, like rummaging through things just to keep busy, cooking, pacing, etc. Patients need to be attended at all times because they can ultimately do things to harm themselves or others unintentionally. Medication can help to an extent but, it is very much like caring for a toddler. Outside or family help and support is needed, no one can possibly keep up with the patient and not need a break, it is tiring, especially if you are trying to maintain a job. Talk to the patient's doctor.
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My above post is really in reference to the daytime sleepiness. The wandering generally happens in the evening and the sleeping happens during the day, much like a baby who has their days and nights mixed up.
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