What do you do if someone dies at home in their sleep?

I'd discuss this with his doctor since laws may vary by community and state. I hope you have the POA for health care. Make sure to keep a copy handy.

My guess is that you still must call 9-1-1. Tell the dispatcher that you believe that your husband has died and tell him or her the situation. They likely will send an ambulance anyway. If he's deceased, he can't be resuscitated anyway, but if you have the papers handy, maybe they won't be legally bound to try.

This is a tough way to live - expecting death any minute. You are helping yourself by preparing the steps to take.

Take care.
Carol

Hospice was very helpful for the last weeks of my husband's life, and also extremely helpful with the details when he died. When we signed up, they got all the information about what funeral home would handle the body, and the fact that he would have an autopsy. Their literature spelled out what to do, which was note the time of death, spend as much time with the body as you needed, and call them. That was it. They contacted the funeral home. They also sent a nurse out to collect his unused medicines (such as morphine) and to comfort me.

I cared for my husband (dementia) ten years in our home. Toward the very end he slept more and more, exceeding 20 hours at the very end. He was awake and holding my hand when he died.

Hospice was truly a godsend for both of us.

One thing you could consider is to get hospice involved. They make it so much easier. One technical problem if someone dies at home is getting the death certificate signed. If hospice is involved, you call them if your husband dies and they will come over and handle things for you.

If hospice is not involved, dial 911. If you have a DNR, have that ready to show them. Some paramedics are able to pronounce death at the scene. Others will be required to do life saving measures unless they are shown the DNR. Your husband will be taken to the ER, where they will contact the funeral home you chose to help you.

I was told (Florida) to call 911 and report "an unattended death." (That is, with no medical professional present.) They'll take it from there.

Thanks Carol and JessieBelle for the advice. And jeannegibbs you know exactly what it is like. I do have daily aids for bathing from the VA and some respite also. Right now I don't know if he is eligible for hospice but I will inquire. I do have guardianship for health and financial. I do plan to be holding his hand when he passes.