Dad not sleeping

My dad has lung cancer and even though he has been given sleeping pill and anxiety tablets he is still not sleeping at night. He keeps asking what time it is and trying to get out of the hospital bed we have even though he is not strong enough to stand by himself.. My sister who has moved in and my mum are knackered as he just wants up and out of bed.. Is this normal? He was palliative care so no treatment (diagnosed last Oct). They got night time carer once this week for first time but I do not think they can continue on their own as it is constant 24/7

Is this normal or is it a sign of near end of life?

Thanks Karen 

  • As carers its very importany you get help at night you ought to be able to get Marie Curie nurses in at least four nights a week? My mum was like this before she passed I wasnt sure if it was the illness or that she had developed some sort of dementia as well. She hardly slept towards the end and kept trying to get out of the bed and getting herself round the wrong way so i had to wait for the day carers to come in to help me reposition her its exhausting you all need sleep to be able to carry on caring too! Sounds like you need more outside help or hospice can do hospice at home visits too?

  • Thanks for reply. Marie curie nurse is out today so will get my sister to ask for more nights. Its so hard trying to move my dad as although he is weak he is still a big man and my mum is 75 and we can see her struggling.

    He is fixated with time so when awake at night keeps asking what time it is.. Its not even like he is sleeping much during the day either more dozing for 15 mins then awake again. 

    Hopefully we will get more support as we are more worried about my mum and sister now and it's the not knowing if this is the end or if we could have months of this 

  • There is a thing called a slide sheet they use to safely move patients it needs two people to do it but it saves you or them getting hurt in the process. I waited ages for one from the DN I never knew they existed ! I wont go into all my experience but the fixation with time was same with my mum. It does sound like you need more help caring is exhausting but rewarding. I hope you get all the help you can I guess things must be more difficult due to the lockdown etc xx