He is up for a few hours then falls back to sleep. He hardly talks at all anymore is very frail. I think he is coming to his end of life wakes up confused. Can anyone help me I'm his little girl as he used to put it. Very hard to see him like this. My heart says maybe another year or two at most, he heart a triple bypass in 07.
He may have developed new symptoms that could be easily treated. Or he may be over medicated. It might be a good time to find him a geriatric primary.
Does he have a good appetite? Is he staying hydrated? Has he been checked for a UTI? Is he continent? Blood pressure and pulse and o2 saturation good?
Start with the basics.
If all that is good a round or two of physical therapy might refresh his energy and help his mobility.
Pick up a copy of “ Being Mortal” by Atul Gawande. You’ll be glad you did.
Here is a link with some information.
http://www.healthinaging.org/find-a-geriatrics-healthcare-professional/
I take my aunt (91) to one. Hers is very easy to work with. She’s associated with a medical school and actually teaches other drs how to be a geriatric dr. There are not enough of them around. If you can’t find one in your area consider looking to the next larger city.
Did your dad’s dr do blood work?
Your dad sounds depressed when you mention him sleeping and crying.
Has he lost weight? Try giving him one of the nutritional drinks like Ensure plus or boost or mixing up one of your own. Give him one everyday for a couple of weeks and see if he feels better. Chart his weight and vitals to see what’s going on.
What medications does your dad take? Is he already on an antidepressant? They can help. The exercise can also help. Since you just saw the dr a couple of months ago perhaps you can just call his office and ask for a physical therapy evaluation for him. They can come to your home to do that.
The book I recommended is about living a good life until you die. Not about ways to live longer.
What did the doctor say was wrong with your dad? Did he think he needed hospice or palliative care?
He’s stressed, depressed, sick, tired or something to be sleeping so much. He may be perfectly content to do that but it doesn’t sound like he’s happy.
You also might try giving him an egg everyday. I heard a dr say years ago that an egg a day will help keep a person from becoming frail.
I know it’s hard to see him decline. He’s lucky to have a loving daughter watching out for him.
watching someone get ill / getting old can be a very frightening experience.
97yroldmom gave some really good ideas
make a list of all those ideas - so you can start accomplishing them one by one.