My Father is quite suddenly sleeping very long hours day and night and his look is almost comatose. Advice?

I just read about the blood pressure medicine. Have you checked his bp. A good systolic pressure for someone his age is 140-150. It helps get the blood to the head when they are sitting. The arteries are not as flexible as they once were, so having a little extra push is a good thing.

If you think bp is the problem, have his doctor listen to the blood in your father's neck to see if he is getting good blood flow to his brain. I know you don't want to do arterial surgery at this stage, but there are ways to increase the blood flow some if you think it might be a problem. I would follow his doctor's recommendation on what he felt best for your dad.

monteros, yes, it is normal to sleep more as the end of life approaches. In the months before my father died, he would fall asleep in his chair with his mouth open. He slept a good part of the day. He was at peace when he was asleep, so we let him sleep when he wanted. His life had become so boring. He always lived inside his mind. With his mind not working so well anymore, he probably welcomed sleep. I wonder if elders dream when they sleep. If so, I hope they are good dreams.

My father is 86 and has been suffering from dementia, progressively worsening, for about 12 years. His blood pressure medicine was changed a few weeks ago. He is really worrying my mom because this behaviour came on suddenly though we are accustomed to his dementia and the limitations he experiences.

How old is your father? If he is up there in age, every new year is like ten more years on the wear and tear of one's body.

Any new medicines? I know blood pressure pills can zone a person out [happened to me with my pills] until the doctor can regulate the dosage.

My parents are in their mid-90's and do a lot of sleeping. They lived a very long life, they are tired.