AboutMichalene Peticca Expertise I'd be happy to help with any questions about Alzheimer's or Dementia diseases. I can also help with Medicare, Long term care & other insurance questions.
Experience I have my Masters degree in Geriatrics and am credentialed through the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Pennstate Milton Hershey hospital and the American Geriatrics Society. I've been in healthcare for over 20 years and worked directly with Alzheimer's and Dementia individuals for most of that time. I am also a licensed insurance agent in PA and MD. Currently i train healthcare professionals to care for Alzheimer and Dementia individuals and i have been a care manager for guardianship services in PA
Organizations American Geriatrics Society
Education/Credentials Masters degree in Geriatrics
Licensed insurance agent in PA & MD.
Past/Present clients PHI Homes in Pennsylvania
York, Dauphin & Adams County Area on Aging
The Jewish Home of Harrisburg
Question My mother has entered Hospice care in a nursing home. Failure to thrive and
dementia are her DX. Lately, she will suddenly fall into deep
"unwakeupable"sleeps that last up to 6 hours during the day. She awakens
alert but very confused. Is this a symptom of nearing end of life? Any
thoughts on what is happening to her when this occurs? Staff do not think
they are TIA's...but ?? Many thanks for any thoughts. G
Answer Hi Gail,
Thank you for writing...i am very sorry about your mother's decline.
Yes, if she has entered Hospice, then end of life is in the near future.
Failure to thrive is basically the body's inability to rejuvinate any further and beginning to "shut down".
Dementia is a progressive brain disease that at this state, generally "shuts down" the body. So, yes, unwakeable sleep is common. She would have confusion due to the Dementia anyway.
However, we do feel that an individual can still hear and feel emotions from friends and family during unwakeable sleep, so I encourage you to continue your visits even if they are reading to your mother, playing music for her or just holding her hand and talking to her.
