And then also sleeping all night? It is possible that your elderly loved one has a sleep disorder like sleep apnea. Even if they seem to sleep through the night, people with sleep apnea are not really getting restorative sleep, so they are tired during the daytime.
It probably has to do with age.
My mom is 90, and I live with her. She has CHF. As time passes, she sleeps more and more. She will just nod out in her chair, mouth wide open (lol), or she will fall asleep with her book open.
Or, sometimes she will actually go to bed to take a nap during the day. Because I have been with her for a year now, I have watched the naps become more often, and longer. Sometimes I think it could be a little depression, and other times I just think her body needs to sleep. Just like ME! smile
What kind of "sick" do you mean?
It could be anything from reoccuring health problems, pain, inability to do a task, such as eat, go potty, bathe, walk, etc. It could be excessive sleepiness. It could be stepped-up pain. It could be, and this is the most likely, breathing difficulty. This is the one that spells the end is near. The MD's and the nurses willnot mention it, but the breathinjg is the key....the monitor will show it later....When flatline happens, remember the patient is not DEAD. Everyone thinks that, but the truth of the matter is that there may be some brain activity and the body is still warm.
I went to look who you are.....you write so well. Thank you for your comments and help. Do you know of CHF first hand? You seem to. I am learning as I go along. I read alot, and of course, I can see mom everyday! I have found, the less fear I have, and the more just day to day interaction I do, the less fear I have! lol I think she worries if she feels I am "shut down" in my room.
HER mom died of CHF, in her sleep (in the hospital with pneumonia). I would wish that for anyone.......to die in their sleep. I am hyper-vigilant, and that is hard work. She has an on-going cough that bothers me. She calls it "her old sinus probelm"(DEnial), but sometime it sounds deep (like she is trying to "cough something up). A visiting nurse said once (fleetingly) that this kind of cough was a bad sign. Doctors and nurses are SO secretive. This is not a judement, it is an observation!!!! lol
(The 4-11-7 breathing excercise)
Use the nose only, not the mouth
Inhale through the nose to the count of 4
Hold breath and continue counting to 11
Exhale from 1 to 7 slowly
Do 10 to 20 times per day...helps every cell in the body and will boost their energy level. Great for pain, depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, skin, etc.
I have an 83 year old sister, when she was 80 she got a three wheel bike and she rides that thing all over. I live a mile and she rides it over here. What I am saying is, everyone needs to stay active. If she doesn't get active or it is too late because she has been in that chair too long, then yes she will sit in that chair until she dies. There are things you could do to get her interest up. Like play cards, do a puzzle with her. Also there are books on tapes you can get for her to listen to, get them from the library. to start out sit close to her so she can see what you are doing and I think she may just join in.
I know I am suffering from some depression, at my age, most of my friends have died or are in the process. The younger people treat me as if I'm some fragile object that they have to handle with care.