Is your loved one with dementia sleeping a lot (too much)?

Does he still get up to use the bathroom?

He wears Depends but does pee into a bedside urinal (sometimes, but increasingly just into the Depends) he can get himself to the bathroom to poop and does that himself, but I try to stand by when that's happening. All those hard surfaces in the bathroom. 😕

Yes, that’s our concern. Daddy has delusions that he’s urinating, but he’s not. He sits on the toilet for a very long time repeatedly. I’ve read about it online. It’s common with dementia. He sits so long his feet get numb. And, he’s not constipated. It’s getting very disturbing. No way to convince him to stop. Hope it’ll fade.

We just got a transport chair and now plan on a new bed for him. Would you recommend a hospital bed? Those mattresses don’t look very comfortable…..Any input on a extra long, hospital size bed and mattress would be appreciated.

After a 6 day stay in the hospital for UTI and sepsis we immediately moved our bedroom downstairs (grumble grumble) because my husband's lack of mobility was freaking everyone (but me) out. Including the EMTs who transported him down our 250 year old winding staircase. Someone talked me into an adjustable bed and because I was not myself, I bought a queen sized one. I am a stomach sleeper , he has sleep apnea so our mattress requirements are very different, and I did not get a split queen because that would have been a nightmare. But I digress! I think those hospital beds are designed for short term use (as in hospice or palliative care). Someone else in this thread probably has some good advice about hospital beds, but I think it's not me!

Very similar here. My 92 yr old husband diagnosed in 2019 and is stable. When he first began to stay in bed longer, I became irritable because it threw off need schedule and meal schedule, but I soon realized that he wouldn't fall if he was in bed, he didn't have to remember what he just ate and he was making his own schedule. AND it was good for me since I could get some things done and have some "me" time. He enthusiastically eats two healthful meals a day and continues to be good natured. I just had to give up my expectation of "how he should be" and make the best of "how he is". He too has a doctor who is my cheerleader and that's very helpful to me.

My husband has had a couple phases of when he sleeps alot (10-14 hours) but he still eats well and drinks plenty of fluids, thank god. His neurologist said for me not to be too concerned at this point because when he's sleeping he doesn't have to "think" or remember anything and things are "all good in his mind". His med schedule is a little wonky when this happens and I've told her about that as well and she told me to just keep doing the great job that I'm doing and as long as he's getting his meds he'll be fine ( so-to-speak). AND he looks SO peaceful when he's sleeping and i treasure those little joys that he "gives" me... like nothing has changed since when we first met... if that makes sense. If sleep is what it takes for him not to struggle, or be confused or frustrated, or agitated, I will embrace that. I know our situation is a little different because he IS still eating but this horrible journey is the same and i pray for all involved in caring with someone with dementia AND most of all for the person living with dementia.
Love, prayers and hugs to all

Your situation is much like mine , as my husband is sleeping 12hrs at night and naps morning and afternoon. He does take gabapentin that makes him sleepy. But he is still eating and drinking, and even helps me clean the kitchen after supper. He is delusional much of every day, and is always thinking we are having visitors or we are going somewhere. We are blessed at this stage , but certainly see why this disease is called, “the long goodbye!”
Prayers for all on this journey!

Good Morning allQuick question I’m going thru Dementia with mother-in-law and she has started soiling herself as I did get depends and also my biggest concern now is she’s sleeping all the time does not want to get up my thing is she needs to take her meds and she won’t get up she’s sometimes coherent and says ok but does not get up won’t eat my husband has had to get her up to take her meds but in 3days she’s hardly eaten or drank anything we do have a docs appointment tomorrow Monday early 🙏🏼

Good Morning allQuick question I’m going thru Dementia with mother-in-law and she has started soiling herself as I did get depends and also my biggest concern now is she’s sleeping all the time does not want to get up my thing is she needs to take her meds and she won’t get up she’s sometimes coherent and says ok but does not get up won’t eat my husband has had to get her up to take her meds but in 3days she’s hardly eaten or drank anything we do have a docs appointment tomorrow Monday early 🙏🏼

My husband sleeps so much during the day. I haven’t found the answer to what causes this. However, he does have a better day if he sleeps late in the morning. One time we had an early haircut appointment around 9:00. By the time she finished with both of us, he was so tired, like he lost all his energy, and we couldn’t get him to walk to my car. I had to call an ambulance to get him from salon to the car! I now never schedule any appointments before 11:00.