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I can't get my Grandmother out of bed. She is concious and capable but says she needs more sleep. We are almost a week in. Some days she will get up at about sundown. Some not at all. When is the point we just pick her up and bring her out of her bedroom? She recently started antidepressants and they should make a difference here soon but we have no idea what to do.

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I believe more information is needed what was your grandmother diagnosed with why is she on antidepressants does she have dementia
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anonymous876615 Jan 2019
She has dementia. The depression diagnosis is recent but it is the only reason we can think of for her to stay in bed.
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Well your grandma is 78 according to your profile. It can a few weeks for anti-depressants to really start working. The one my mom started last month, it was effective within a week. But some take longer. Instead of asking her if she wants to get up, why not take a different approach and TELL HER “ok grandma it’s time to get up and get dressed”. Don’t ask her, don’t give her options. Just tell her it’s time to get up and go about getting her up and dressed.
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anonymous876615 Jan 2019
I don't ask questions, she just flat out refuses. Ever our hired caregiver needed 2 hours to get her out of bed yesterday.
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Changing positions is very important. Just getting someone out of bed even for an hour or 2 can make a huge difference in getting or not getting pressure sores (aka bedsores)
Getting out of bed can make a huge difference in how someone socializes with the rest of the family. Even if it is only to see activity, hear voices and see the faces attached to the voices that she may only hear faintly from another room.
Getting out of bed can help relieve some depression, isolation and possibly fear.

I know when I have not been feeling well and I get myself out of bed, brush my teeth, take a shower and put clean clothes on and go into the kitchen to get a cup of tea and plant myself on the couch for a while I feel (almost) human. I may return to bed after a while but just getting out of bed helps for a while.

If she really does not want to get out of bed and it is difficult for you to get her out of bed for safety reasons or she is just very resistant I would move the bed into the living room or where ever the family gathers most. (obviously not the kitchen) but at least she will feel like part of the family and can interact as such.
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anonymous876615 Jan 2019
She still shares a bed with my grandfather, I don't think that would go over well. Thank you for the idea though. I am working on getting her a lift chair for the living room she can lay down in. I am not the decision maker. I am just helping my grandfather but he can be slow to react or respond. We can't get her to eat in bed because she knows you eat at a table and won't eat in bed but will not get out of bed or eat.
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