FIL falling asleep all the time

[Sidebeforeself]

Does anyone have experience of this. Frail 92 years old. Lots of health issues obviously including insulin controlled diabetes and CKD. Just started getting daily visits for insulin and carers theee times a day for personal care.

But we’ve just been with him for the weekend and he is literally falling asleep mid sentence. I feel this is the last straw meaning he can’t continue at home.

Grateful for any advice

Your post was a little vague. Do you mean you feel he will be safer in a care home or that he needs more help in the home?

You will need to speak to him about what he wants as LA will only speak to him. If he is self funding, it will be up to you to find the adequate help. If not the LA will, if he agrees, to a health and financial investigation into his needs.

The main priority for the LA will be to leave him at home until a crisis occurs.

Falling asleep isn’t a reason to be admitted to a care home, is there a reason him being more tired means he needs more care than he is getting?

If he’s self funding it’s down to you to find a adequate care home with spaces. If not the LA need to be involved and need to go through financial & health investigation. Have you spoken to his GP do they think maybe end of life care? 92 is pretty good to be fair bless him.

I'm not totally clear what the problem is.

Unless there is a problem with him sleeping during the day I would let him sleep in the chair in his own home. Daytime sleeping is something that just happens to old people at the end of their lives.

If he has mental capacity then where he lives is his decision. Does he have dementia? If not it’s worth discussing what he'd like to happen if he loses his mobility or memory etc. it might be he will just increase his package of care. Speak to Age UK they are very helpful and give him their number too. Or go on their website it’s full of useful things. Signs of end of life include - stopping eating and drinking, sleeping more, an illness that requires a GP eg antibiotics for a UTI that isn’t getting better. Has the GP had discussion around advanced care planning? They usually find out if people want to go into hospital and when they don’t. It might be worth contacting the GP saying you’ve noticed a decline.

Sorry was posting in a rush. We have already had an assessment done by ASC .. that’s in progress. This is a new development in the last few days. The issue is he is literally out like a light mid sentence . My worry is
a) He’s unsafe if this happens say in the shower
b) Is this a sign of “ fading” and he’s towards the end?

just wondered if others had experienced this

It could be a sign something’s not right with him I would contact 111 if he gives consent. Does he feel unwell in himself?

What is your concern here? He is 92 with health issues, life can become increasingly tiring as people age and health declines. Sleeping and snoozing is the body's natural way of resting, recovering, repairing. I've seen a large number of older relatives go through this in later life - slowing down, dozing or napping in a chair or in bed. If he is comfortable, then I would just focus on keeping him that way. Almost all my grandparents were adamant they wanted to stay at home till the end, and they did - dozing and napping their way through the days, taking smaller amounts of food and drink and enjoying visits as long as they felt able. We fitted a ring doorbell and a key box so carers and visitors could let themselves in and out without needing to disturb them each time.

I have sleep apnea and when it was bad I will fall asleep in a conversation when I'm really tired but I wouldn't fall asleep in the shower, in the bath yes. But I'm sure by myself as I'm self aware. Not sure that's really of help to you but it resonates a bit.

He has carers in for his personal care so shouldn’t be alone in the shower. He may well be nearing the end but with the right support in place it would be far better for him to fade whilst snoozing on and off in his own home. That said, I would probably be speaking to the GO since it’s a sudden change.

My dad is almost 95 and also has insulin controlled diabetes and CKD along with angina. Doesn’t need any personal care though. If left with nothing to do he will sleep most of the day. But when we give him time and take him out, he’s a different person. At this age their medication needs regularly reviewing as things can change so quickly. It might be worth FIL can see a geriatric doctor who can review his insulin etc holistically.

Thanks that’s reassuring to know

I don’t have a problem with him napping.. of course I expect him to sleep more. It’s the sudden onset of him falling asleep mid sentence . He can be talking .. suddenly falls asleep.. for a couple of minutes at a time. Is v disoriented when waking up

Where is he when he falls asleep? Does it happen at different times of the day?

Thanks everyone. It’s just so hard to know what to do for the best until his residential care is sorted.

In the chair or at the table. It’s constant . 5 mins awake 5 mins asleep.

I wasn't trying to be difficult, just trying to understand your exact concerns. I would speak with his GP and care team. It this is a sudden change or new thing, then they can check it out and give advice but personally I wouldn't rush to seek urgent help or get into a situation where he is taken into hospital. Sometimes I find people can rush in, but hospital visits or examinations can be just as unsettling. It would be good to see if his GP or nurse might be able to do a home visit. It could be a sign of decline which could be comfortably managed at home. The care team might also need to review his plan - and what support he needs to keep him safe.

@Justyouwaitandseeagain No I didn’t take it as you were being difficult. Anyway the carers have just called for an ambulance so let’s see. I guess I feel like this is close to the end but I haven’t seen anyone go like that . Of course I may be entirely wrong and he’ll be back down the pub next week!

This happened to my FIL. It was due to his dementia

My nan does this she’s 83. She has emphysema and problems from past chemo, she’s not near death she just tires easily. It doesn’t always mean the end of the road. This is why you need to speak to his health professionals and get a clear picture.

Need to talk to the GP and look at his diabetes control and overall health. What is his sleep like at night?

Why does no one read the updates from the op? The carers have called an ambulance.