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We use a portable lift to help with daily needs.


Over the last few months, I’ve noticed that he doesn’t sleep much during the day time and ends up being more confused than normal. On the 3rd or 4th day following, he’ll basically sleep all day long and all that night. The next day, he’s much more alert and with it. This seems to be a very deep sleep.


Has anyone else noticed that pattern, and have any theories about it?

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Was he in rehab for PT for the broken hip?  And if so, was that followed by home PT?    How well did he do in PT?
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Keykolee Aug 2021
Yes, he was in rehab for 8 weeks following the hip fracture. On 2-3 occasions, he was able to stand with lots of assitance and take a shuffling step or two. They thought his inability to stand/walk was related to his dementia. He was released from rehab to our care and we had no idea how to care for him. He did have In-home pt, but they were never able to get him to stand or walk.

so….we use a sit/stand lift to get him up and down. We have been doing that for over a year now.
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To keep his mind and body engaged during the day you can consider asking him to do sorting tasks: sort (or connect) nuts and bolts (large enough for elderly and arthritic hands to manage); sort large amounts of mixed up plastic utensils; sort and match colorful socks; sort poker chips; playing cards; etc. I do this with my 99-yr old aunt and I ask her to "help" me and she always agrees. My aunt sleeps through the night every night without any medication.
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sleeping a lot is common and is a sign of decline.
Do you have Hospice coming in to help? If not it might be a good idea you will get more support, a bit more help and a Nurse will come and check him every week. More often if needed.
Each person with dementia is different as the dementia can effect different parts of the brain in different people.
It might be a good idea to try to get him on a "normal" sleep pattern. You can try doing that by keeping him as active and engaged as possible during the day and following a good before bed practice. No TV or electronics about 30 minutes before bed (wish I would do as I say!) and begin lower lighting about that time as well. If it is still brighter out closing blinds might also help.
If that does not work and the caregiver is ok with his sleep pattern I would not worry about it.
There is a great pamphlet that you can read on line called Crossing the Creek and it explains a lot about the increased sleeping and other signs of decline and signs that End of Life is closer
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