My father has a very poor appetite and his he gets confused about the time of day. Today he went back to bed at 1:30pm after only being awake 5 hours. Now it is close to dinner time and I don't know if I should let him sleep or try to wake him. If I wake him he is very resistant to getting out of bed sometimes. He is 94 with dementia and I don't know how much I should push him. I worry that he is not getting enough to eat.
my dad will go to bed about 9 pm sometimes 11 pm and sleeps till noon ! i have woke him up early am saying its bfasttime , he whines i wanna sleep more . so i let him sleep . cuz if i dont im gonnahear him whine and mumble jumble and it ruins his day and mine .
just as long as he eats whenever and drinks plenty of fluid while he s awake he should be ok . few times he would wak eup at 2 am im hungry waaaaa , i d fix him his bfast then .
eat at any times ofthe hours should be ok .
Caregivers who are dealing with Alzheimer's or Dementia disease need some extra training and support that is not required when dealing with physical disabilities. I urge you to get in touch with the Alzheimer's Association and check if there is a Caregivers Support group in your area. You'd be surprised at solutions they have found to make your caregiving manageable--if not easier.
www.alz.org
To me, as a former caregiver of a parent with a dementia, what you are experiencing seems to come with the territory, unfortunately. I would discuss the eating situation with a physician as there are things you can have your dad take to incease his appetite-if he is not eating. Are you sure that he is not having a problem with his digestion-or something, he may not able to communicate? This situation can be checked as well. Something like ensure is a good suppliment in the meantime. Staying dehydrated is also very important.
If you can arrange for your dad to have meals at certain times-he perhaps will get into the habit/ routine of doing this.
Remember, the tables have turned, and you are like the parent, and your dad has somewhat regressed-sad, but it happens.
My Mom went from having whole foods to pureed foods, as she lost her ability to eat-or even know how to eat, and eventually she had to be fed.
Good luck!
Hap
its gettin to the point where all food builds up in his dentures . get choked on it .
its sad , i fed him all day today maybe tmr he;ll try to feed himself .
i even put his pills in apple sauce or in with yoghurt . seems to help him swallow it better .
pureed food now on .