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Question on an elderly friend

16 years ago

I have a friend that is 89 and not in good health, she lives in a nursing home. The other morning she would not wake up, they took her to the hospital, she never woke up until 11 am. The doctors can't seem to find a reason for it, not stroke or heart attack. So, she slept from 8pm the night before and didn't wake until 11 am the next day.

Has anyone every heard of this???

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Comments (13)

jkayd_il5
16 years ago
Yes, this happened to my Dad when he was in a nursing home. He was 95. On the second or third time, I should remember but I don't, he never did wake up and died. This all happened within a week.
phyllis__mn
16 years ago
When I was having therapy at our local nursing home, many of the residents would be sleeping while in the rehab room, and not even wake up when a worker would be massaging their limbs, etc. Did you mean she slept 15 hours, or was it into the following day?
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I thought the same thing as the others have said. It sounds like she's not clear thinking, Dementia. It can be very hard to get a doctor to see she's having trouble with her financial affairs and now that she's knows that her son knows she's not doing well she'll be even more guarded in what she tells and say's to him. All the doctor care about is that a person can tell you their name, where they live. I went through it for 3 years with my dad till he ended up having to go into a rehab after a pacemaker was put in. The doctor there told me dad had dementia pretty bad. He told me to take away his cars. That would not have gone over at all but as it ended up dad has to stay in a nursing home permanently. Best you can do is stand by your dad and understand what he's going through. It's very hard on the child of the parent having to take over and care for them. As you said he got upset when she made a big to do over the money, well it's not the end of her fight. She'll fight everything he or anyone that try's to take over her affairs. It's only natural not to want anyone in your business, but it clearly needs to be done or she'll end up living with one of ya'll or on the street.
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This is probably too late to be of much help but I wanted to lend a little support... my dad, too, had emphysema and your description fit what he went through. He needed frequent naps (right down to the pre-dinner nap) and also had bowel problems. I think they finally isolated the latter to meds and were able to make some adjustments that helped. It must be embarrassing for your husband to have this kind of problem (but I love that he blames it on the cat) :) I hope it gets/got resolved with your dr. visit. The sleep issue probably won't go away completely -- emphysema is hard on the body and will continue to make him tired. And age does make a big difference. Exercise helped when dad could manage it -- he would walk some -- but it just made him feel a little better, it didn't make the fatigue go away. Cutting out the smoking would help your husband but it doesn't sound like he wants to give it up. I know it also contributes to fatigue. Doctors don't/can't oversee the health of individuals the way they used to -- because we see so many specialists, etc., a primary care or other physician just doesn't always know everything that's going on -- so it's important for you, as an advocate for your husband, to keep on top of things and make sure the questions you have get addressed by the drs. Don't be afraid to talk to the drs. as long as you need and ask as many questions as you need to get the information that will help. A friend of mine goes to the dr. with her elderly mother; because the dr. has a tendency to rush in and rush out before they could ask questions, my friend moved her chair in front of the door and sat down as soon as the dr. came in. The dr. got the hint, sat down, and took all the time they needed. I've found most drs. are really responsive and like that patients are trying to participate in their own health care but sometimes they need to be brought to a halt to get their attention. It sounds like you're really taking charge and I admire you for that. Best of luck to you... let us know how things are going!
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kayjones
16 years ago
Yep - my 17-yr. old stepson, for one - he can go to bed at 7 pm and wake up at 7 pm the next day.

Also, I worked in an elderly housing facility, and it was not uncommon for an elderly person to have insomnia really bad, stay up all night and all the next day, then sleep for 24 hours. We would have to get the manager to check and make sure they weren't dead!
vannie
16 years ago
Oh boy!! My youngest daughter and her husband can both do this. That's why these twins have been such a shock to them and why they just love for me to come spend a few days!
sjarz
16 years ago
Well I've learned something this morning. I thought that was a disease that only struck teenagers...haha.
Sorry I have no knowledge to add to the original question, but if the body and mind is tired it will take as much time as it needs to wake up.
Suzan J
enjoyingspring
Original Author
16 years ago
I guess I didn't explain properly.

The friend went to bed at 8pm the next morning her caregivers went in to wake her and she wouldn't wake up, they shook her, yelled at her etc. They took her to hospital and she still would not wake up for the doctors. Then around 11 am she opened her eyes and woke up. They don't know what happened to her.
enjoyingspring
Original Author
16 years ago
jkayd_il5 do you mind me asking if you found out why your Dad went into such a deep sleep, did he have a medical problem that caused this??
jkayd_il5
16 years ago
Dad did have Pulmonary Fibrosis but I don't know if that had anything to do with his long sleep. I called my sister and she said the doctor didn't say the reason. I remembered the first time was on a Sunday and then he didn't wake up again on Tuesday. We all tried to wake him but he died Tuesday evening. I think his body and mind were both pretty tired. He's in a better place with his parents and siblings. Mom is still alive at 94 and lives alone.
mariend
16 years ago
Sad to say, sometimes older people, and/or just anyone gets discouraged, with nothing to look forward to, just want to sleep, and sleep etc. Their friends are gone, relatives don't visit as much as the person thinks they should, and they just don't care to live.
sjerin
16 years ago
I don't mean to be flip, but what an easy way to pass.
grittymitts
16 years ago
DH does that on occasion too, after not sleeping at all for several days 'n nights. I am sooo relieved when he finally does sleep 'cause it means I can too! Still, knowing how badly he needs sleep, it scares me silly & I just can't keep from checking to see if he's still breathing.

Suzi
joyfulguy
16 years ago
I've heard many people over the years say something along the line of that's the way that they want to go.

Or some similar way that doesn't relate to prolonged pain ... or an extended period of decrepitude, reduced capability, lack of independence, etc.

ole joyful
grammahony
16 years ago
grittymitts, I have a cousin who has that sleep pattern. Up for a couple days and nights, and then sleeps for 24 hours or so.
Leslie

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