She is on a lot of medication mostly heart, blood pressure, antidepressants, anti anxiety plus pain medication at night. She has many problems. She doesn't eat much in front of people but eats plenty when no one is watching, She is over weight (5 ft 180 lbs). She refuses to move much, last year she fell twice and broke her arm in 2 places because she refused to us her walker. She is very strong willed always has been and must have her way. She doesn't take instruction for me at all and thinks I just want to control her. She lives with me, her only child. My grown children help, but it is very difficult. I have my grandchildren with me after school, but she only interacts with them if and when she wants to. Everything has to be on her terms. She says she doesn't sleep at night and that's why she sleeps most of the day, but this falling asleep at the table has me worried. I'm afraid she will fall off the chair and break another bone. The last brake was so bad I had to be up with her during the night, she couldn't get to the bathroom by herself. It was difficult with at least 2 trips to the bathroom from 11 pm - 7 am every night. When I mention the sleeping so much to the dr she tries to redo the pills, but nothing helps. She tells her to try to be more active during the day, so she won't sleep, but my mother will not do it. I'm resolved to accept the constant sleeping during the day, but this falling asleep at the table worries me, this doesn't seem normal. Shouldn't she realize she is getting sleepy and go to a better location? If you wake her and suggest that she tells you she was not sleeping. I don't know what to do.
Both my parents were in their mid-to-late 90's, I would catch them napping morning, noon, and night. I had to remember that they probably lost the large majority of their energy, because I have noticed that with myself being a senior. I can doze off while reading on the computer !!
Blood pressure pills can zone you out. It did for me until the cardiologist was able to reduce the pill dosage. Anti-anxiety pills and pain pills will also make you very sleepy especially if she isn't active helping around the house. Usually by 90 years old, housekeeping goes to the very bottom of the "to do" list. The old body aches too much. And squatting down to clean... oops, cannot get back up !!
My Mom use to love to read, but with her failing eyesight she could no longer read. Also she had lost most of her hearing, thus she would still "watch" footfall out of the corner of her eye but it just wasn't the same.
Another thing, the adult/child dynamic takes place again. You had it while growing up with Mom, and it is on instant replay once Mom is back into the home. You are still considered "the kid" and what do you know :P We all pretty much face that with our elderly parents.... [sigh].