Dad is in the hospital. Any idea what I'm facing?

Answry, your dad was on Hospice.

Presumably, this meant that he (and you) accepted that he was dying, if not imminently, then within a few months. And that he wanted no more trips to the hospital, poking, tests, and investigations.

Has dad changed his mind about that?

Why are you continuing to try to "fix" a dying man?

I am so sorry if that sounds cruel or heartless. But hospice is about letting go.

I’m sorry for your strain in watching this. How old is your dad? Can he state his wishes? My dad reached a point where he had no more “try” in him to improve, he was exhausted and tired of this world. Ask for the doctor caring for your dad to give you a thorough evaluation of prognosis going forward to help you plan. Don’t regret your decisions, you did the best you could in the circumstances. I wish both you and your dad peace

If your father is in hospice, it means that he has no medical options to recover. From your description, it seems that he is not going to bounce back. Oversleeping can be a sign of impending death.

Seems like he's wrung out, between the low sodium, dehydration and very high blood sugar that'll do a number on anyone. If you do web searches for info on stuff like this, use sites like Mayoclinic-vetted, well writen articles on basic medical information.
Otherwise, write your questions down, ask if an attending physician is available to talk to or the head nurse in the unit.

I'm headed this morning to see if any changes have taken place. Last night the nurse said his vitals are all good but he is still just sleeping. If he is going, I'm glad to see him sleeping and not appearing in pain. Precious dad made 88 last month.
Even hospice is baffled because dad was full of life Thursday morning and then come Friday a sharp turn. We had some concerns about his arrangements at home and were getting ready to move him to a nursing home. We are probably too late.

These would be expected and accepted outcomes on hospice, A. Can you tell me why, if Dad is on Hospice, he went to hospital for treatment? Sleepiness, indeed even to leading to coma would be expected at end of life?
I feel like I am missing information to answer this.

Dad was only placed on hospice as a means to get him into a nursing home. I tried to get him into a nursing home through the hospital system using methods suggested on this forum, he was coming back medically clear except for his mid-stage dementia. Then I was told guardianship would help, got both, and yet still could not get him into a nursing home. Then I read on how hospice can help get you into a nursing home and hence hospice enrollment.

He lived in my/hubby's home for eight months but then hubby was ready for him to either go to his home or a nursing home. My sister that lived in his home was saying he could not come back. Dad was saying he was not going into a nursing home no matter how I or the agents of the nursing home presented the benefits.

Neither his primary doctors nor any of his specialists had given up on him or had given him a 6 months life expectancy. Hospice had not said he was getting ready to pass and he was NOT on morphine. They were baffled by the sudden turn on Friday but a week ago started having concerns about his care at home. We were going to give it two more weeks before pulling him but this happened.

Hospice got us a one-week respite stay but dad still wanted home. We agreed to a month trial with the sister that lives in his home and had the Medicaid waiver program with a worker coming in for 5 hours morning and 5 hours evening. He knew he was back at home. But here we are with the hospitalist saying his diagnosis is dehydration, low sodium, high blood sugar, and added on yesterday pneumonia in his left lung.

Yesterday he was a bit better and the hospitalist said he was more alert but still not out of the woods yet. Yesterday since he was alert they asked me to see if he would take in any of the soft foods and liquids brought in by mouth. He was able to take in some. He spoke a couple of times and even opened his eyes off and on to see who was entering the room whereas for two days he was not doing this at all.

He went to the hospital for treatment because hospice and I agreed it was okay and they would be willing to pick him back up. Thanks to those who responded.

Hospice needs a Doctor's order. So if Dads doctors did not think he was terminal how did he wind up on Hospice? Did Dad refuse further treatment? Hospice has a criteria set by Medicare who pays for hospice care. You Dad must have fit that criteria.

"What happens if your body is low on sodium?
Low blood sodium is common in older adults, especially those who are hospitalized or living in long-term care facilities. Signs and symptoms of hyponatremia can include altered personality, lethargy and confusion. Severe hyponatremia can cause seizures, coma and even death."

This could be why Dad is sleeping. Things can turn around in a moment when it comes to the elderly. A cousin was ready to come home after having his bladder removed. His wife left the room, came back and he was gone. Your Dad has low sodium, that is serious in the elderly.

I think you need to get yourself in the mindset that this is it. Then u can make a better decision.

I see from your profile that Dad has a Dementia, And in your previous posts you try to ask him what he wants. You cannot reason with a person with a Dementia. I saw in one post you were going for guardianship. Did you get it? If so, you make the decisions because he has been found incompetent to make informed decisions.

In the NH my Mom showed signs the end was near. First she started humming then it got so loud meds were needed to calm her down because this was an anxiety. Then she closed her eyes and never opened them again. Then she wouldn't get out of bed. Didn't want to be touched. I got a call she was having problems swallowing and they wanted to send her to the hospital. I said no, all they would do is poke and prod her. Hospice was called in and Mom passed 6 days later. I had to let her go, she was 89.

If the SW is asking for an answer concerning a SNF its because your Dad needs to be discharged. There is no more they can do. Medicare is not going to pay. Now the decision need to be made, SNF with Hospice or bring him home on Hospice.

So sorry you have to make this decision.

JoAnn I didn’t say, forgive me if I did accidentally with all that is going on, dad’s doctors did not think he was terminal. They indeed know he is terminal with his many terminal conditions but none ever said those conditions would take him out in six months. That’s what I was trying to state. So hospice was not brought up until I asked to use it as a means to get him into a nursing home. My preference has always been a palliative approach where he could at least see his primary and forsake specialist.

Thanks, for all the responses.