According to Hospice my Mom won't last till the end of the year. This is mainly due to the weight loss. Mom drinks a few sips a day but that is the extent of it.

My question is about sleeping, I am very blessed that my Mom sleeps through the night. I put her to bed around 7 p.m. and she usually wakes around 6:30 in the morning, She never naps! The last few days she has been sleeping till 8, 8:30 or sometimes 9 Is it normal that the closer it gets to the end the more they sleep? My Mom is still sleeping right now. I have a sitter coming in 15 minutes and am not sure if I should wake her or just let her sleep. I am not sure the sitter can do the morning routine. Should I expect her to be sleeping more and more now that the end is not far?

Yes, Christine, it is normal to sleep more and more as the disease progresses into the late stages. It's part of the body shutting down peacefully.

What would be gained by waking her up? Certainly, rouse her to get those sips in her and any medications. Otherwise I see no point.

I figure when Mom is asleep (late stage 7 on Hospice), she isn't suffering. It's hard to know what to do at this stage, though, I know.

Im so glad you asked this christine. my nanny goes to bed about 9p and she will sleep until 10am or later if we let her... but she doesn't seem to be going down in any other way. just sleeps. and sometimes when we get her up and do the morning routines by the time we're done shes ready for bed again. Then other days, she will stay awake all day.......

My Mom seems to be the same as Tiffany's Nanny. She is sleeping more and more, even in the day now, but when she's awake, she seems the same in awareness.

I was hoping more people would talk about the late stage...it's hard when you feel alone in this and you don't know what to expect. At this rate, I feel Mom will be around like this for a long time, since she's still eating...I don't know if that's a good thing or not since she isn't able to communicate or do anything but watch TV all day. My Dad sits with her during the day and holds her hand and makes sure she eats and drinks. Sometimes I take her outside to sit on the porch, and she seems to enjoy that for a while. Since I know my Mom is Heaven bound, I feel she would be better off if she passed on...then again, she surprised me with a nice out loud laugh the other day when watching my son and my husband play with each other, so I know she is experiencing some joy. I don't know what to pray for...

Thanks, Felicia

Felicia, some people are reluctant to post about the late stages for fear of disturbing fellow posters who are still dealing with earlier stages. Personally, I think this is a forum for all of us, so if you have questions about late stages, please post them. My mom's there, and many others here have LOs who are or who have already graduated from their disease. So ask.

ChristineC, my thoughts are with you. My mom did not have AD but died last November after a quick (2 week) diagnosis of liver cancer.

I was with her daily during the months of Oct/Nov even though I was not aware that she was so close to death. Finally, the doctor, when giving the diagnosis, said that she had maybe a month or two but Christmas would be a longshot.

I had to slow down and found a whole new pace to my day that I didn't know existed (while still teaching full time and caring for my own family). Some how it worked but now looking back I sometimes wish it would not have happened so quickly.

Peace to you and your Mom.

Thanks for your replies. Mom woke up just before the sitter got here so I was able to bathe her privately. Felicia, my Mom also just sits and watches TV with me sitting by her side (bored stiff) and holding her hand. My Mm doesn't speak anymore either, just some sounds. I too know my Mom is heaven bound. I pray God will take her peacefully and without any pain. I pray she passes in her sleep. I know once she is in heaven she will be out of this broken body and reunited with her loved ones. On the other hand, she is my best friend and I can't imagine my life without her.

Just pray God will have mercy and give her a peaceful home going. I will keep you and your Mom in my prayers as well.

Thank you all.