In bed 20 hours a day

[warmmfeet]

My FiL was diagnosed dementia in 2020 but diagnosis was a bit more difficult as he also had an issue with his pituatory gland causing some similar symptoms. I suspect the dementia started a little earlier, well maybe 2018 ish.
Anyway in the last year he's spending more and more time in bed or asleep. Like gets up 6pm, back to bed 10pm.
His wife attempts to get him up earlier but either can't or he goes to sleep in his chair or back to bed.
He's fairly oriented at times . Still recognises us all. He has problems with mobility and continence.

My question is, does the increased time in bed / asleep mean things are quite advanced now? Or not necessarily? He still eats and drinks well. His wife looks after him very well and assists him with everything.

I have got no idea to the answer to your question but I have got exactly the same thing. My husband will not get up somedays until 5pm unless he has to go somewhere as he says he has nothing to do except watch TV and he has one in his room. I do make him get up for his dinner at 6 and by 7pm he is asleep in the chair then wants to go back to bed and if he does get up earlier in the day will just fall asleep in his chair. Dr has told me it is not his medication so I just leave him to it now as he is not very chatty when he is up or just snores.

Oh I'm sorry you are going through it as well. It's so hard. I found this article last night which sort of explains it

www.alzheimers.org.uk/blog/is-it-typical-people-dementia-sleep-lot-during-day

I have read this before thanks. We are at the Memory Clinic again this week and will see what his doc says this time and we are going to a dementia club later and hoping to get some help from them. Will let you know if I find out anything useful.

Thanks so much I'd be interested.

I am so sorry that I can't give you any info from this afternoon's meet as I got him out of bed, showered,dressed and fed and then half an hour before we were going for the bus he said - I can't walk to our bus stop and going to theirs - an absolute load of rubbish as he ok walking before we were going out. I was furious and kept my temper but this is not going to last. I am 77 and quite healthy but he is going to last.

Sorry - this in not going to last -seriously

@Carpediem15 oh no, I'm sorry how frustrating for you. It was quite a hot day maybe that made it more difficult. It's such a hard thing to go through. I hope you have some support.

DM (90) was only diagnosed at the beginning of this year with mixed dementia.

I'd say that for the past two years, her sleep pattern has become more erratic. We put it down to her no longer going out as much but even when she did, she would sleep till lunchtime and then be up and about till the early hours.

Now, she sleeps almost all day and then potters about the house at night. If i go round she'll get up, but otherwise I'm sure she'd just stay in bed.