Mom sleeps on one side throughout the night. How can I handle this situation?

We all have our favored sleeping positions. Bedsores can become an issue for some because as we age our skin breaks down. There are mattresses that help. Patients are generally turned in facilities and can be turned at home too.

My mom was in pain when she was turned so pain medication was given before she was scheduled to be turned.

I wouldn’t tell her about outings if she isn’t up for them. Hearing about the outings probably won’t motivate her in any way.

Wishing you peace as you navigate your way through your caregiving challenges. It’s not always easy knowing what to do. This forum can be helpful. Stay in touch. Continue to speak with your mom’s nurses for guidance.

At this stage of the game, why are you 'forcing' your mother to do anything she doesn't want to do? Late stage dementia patients sleep A LOT and they should.........what is the point in doing otherwise? Dementia is a cruel and relentless affliction; you're not going to prolong her life by keeping her awake or forcing her to get out of bed or sleep in a different position, so leave her alone to do as she wishes, that's my advice.

Now, if she's developing bed sores or ulcers, then she needs to be moved or repositioned.

Get her doctor involved for a hospice evaluation; they can provide her with extra supplies *hospital bed* and services that come in handy as she progresses towards the end.

Good luck!

My mom preferred to sleep on her side too, I think that all of us have a preferred sleeping position. The problem is that as we age we can't make the minor changes in position throughout the night that we all make when we are younger and that can lead to pressure ulcers, I was shocked when I discovered my mom had a red area on her hip that didn't go away (stage 1), even at that beginning stage it took 6 weeks of staying off that hip for it to completely heal. Remember that pressure ulcers are like icebergs, what is below the surface is much larger than what is visible to the eye. In a nursing home they routinely reposition people every couple of hours and you could do that too, or as Grandm1954 has suggested you could ask about an alternating pressure mattress or overlay.

My husband who was completely bedridden for the last 22 months of his life, only slept on his back all night long, and even during the day. Now he was in a hospital bed provided by hospice, so not sure if that made a difference, but he never developed any bedsores or pressure sores from staying in that position for hours on end, nor did it seem to bother him at all. So if your mom seems to be comfortable, and not developing any pressure sores, and sleeping well, I would just leave well enough alone.
As far as her not wanting to get out of bed, perhaps it might be time to get hospice involved, as that may just be a sign that her body is slowing down, and it may be best to let her be.

Does she get up or try to get up at night to use the bathroom?
If not is she wet in the morning?
You could either try getting her up before you go to bed and get her to the bathroom or change her that will change her position.
You could ask the doctor to approve a Hospital Bed with an alternating pressure mattress. That will help keep circulation going.
If mom is Hospice eligible she would get one through Hospice.
As a person declines they will sleep longer that is part of the process.
I would just start getting my Husband up at about 7 am. (He would want to go to bed at 7 pm, he started doing that about the time he was diagnosed with dementia) I would go to his bed (hospital bed) and give him a big "Good Morning" and then start getting him started with the day. Used a Gait belt to start then the same process when I had to start using a Sit To Stand to get him up then later the Hoyer Lift.