How can I persuade my father to leave the hospital and get some rest?

My mother suffered a ruptured brain aneurysm late Wednesday evening. My mother had surgery yesterday and will be in the ICU for the next 2–3 weeks. My father has had very little sleep since this happened and has been sleeping in my mother’s hospital room on a recliner. Both of my parents are in their late 70s. My father is diabetic.

My sisters and I have decided to take turns to stay with our mom so our dad can go home to shower and nap, but he refuses to go home for the evening to sleep. My sister who was with my mom today was told by the nurse that my mother won’t remember anything that happens the next two weeks. She told my sister that our father should go home between 11pm and 7am to get some rest. My dad finally admitted to my sister that he’s afraid to leave my mom because he’s afraid something might happen when he is gone.

My turn is tomorrow. I haven’t seen my father since the surgery yesterday. Is there anything that I can say that might persuade him to go home in the evening to get some rest. He’s going to need the energy for when my mom can return home.

If you read all of this, thank you. I’m worried about the health of my father as well. Our family could really use some guidance right now.