My husband has had dementia for about 10 years now and is bed bound and sleeps about 16 hours a day. Sometimes it is hard to tell if he is still breathing he sleeps so soundly. I figure that he will probably die in his sleep if he doesn't catch pneumonia. What is the procedure if someone dies in their sleep? Calling an ambulance would be unnecessary because I wouldn't want him resuscitated. Do I call his doctor or the coroner?
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.
Take care,
Carol
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.
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