If my mom with severe Alzheimer's is sleeping a lot, does that mean the end is near?
Babygir asked...
My mother is in the final stages of Alzheimer's and is sleeping a lot. Dose this mean she is near the end?
Expert Answer
Ladislav Volicer, M.D., Ph.D., is recognized as an international expert on advanced dementia care. He is a courtesy full professor at the School of Aging Studies, University of South Florida, Tampa, and visiting professor at the Third Medical Faculty, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic. Twenty-five years ago, he established one of the first dementia special care units.
Sleeping a lot is a common feature of advanced Alzheimer's disease but I do not know of any evidence that sleeping a lot would decrease the length of survival. Make sure that sleeping is not related to a medication your mother is taking. Many medications used in higher doses may cause sleepiness.