My mother was awake the whole entire day, yesterday. Today, she has slept most of the day away. Also, she was fairly talkative yesterday, but today, what little time that she has been awake, she didn't say a word for at least 30 minutes, and when she did speak she had a very hard time getting her words out. Is this end of life symptoms? Scared :(
Take care,
Carol
You did the right thing to ask your question in this forum. If you want to be a support to your mother at whatever age or stage of illness she's in, you need to be strong and calm. If you're scared, she'll pick up on that which isn't helpful because elderly people tend to be anxious anyway. Illness and death are part of the normal cycle of life and you'll only cause everybody pain by resisting it. Remember the Serenity Prayer. Amen and blessings to you, mother and everyone involved.
You will want to keep track of her sleeping difficulties, journaling them or keeping a diary. It could come and go but if it comes more than it goes, it'll be time to talk to the doctor. Sleeping is important for her but also for you if you are a 24/7 care giver because YOU will need your sleep in order to be able to care for her. She may need medication management to make sure she gets enough sleep. I what is typically in the habit of getting work done with my mom was sleeping. In the last two years of her life however, I found it necessary to lay down and rest whenever she was resting so I could be up when she was up.