Why Do Elderly People Sleep So Much? What Is Normal and When to Ask

Older people often seem to sleep a lot, but usually the total amount of sleep they need stays fairly similar through adulthood. What changes is the pattern. Night-time sleep tends to become lighter and more broken, so the body makes up for it with naps during the day. Medicines, inactivity, low mood and health conditions can all add to daytime sleepiness. A gradual shift is common; a sudden increase in sleepiness, especially with confusion, is not something to wait out.

The information here is general. Your parent's GP is the right person to judge what is normal for them.

How sleep changes with age

• Lighter sleep. Less time is spent in the deepest stage of sleep, so small noises, discomfort or a full bladder are more likely to wake someone.
• Earlier timing. Many older adults feel sleepy earlier in the evening and wake earlier in the morning.
• More night waking. Several awakenings a night become common, and it can take longer to drift back off.
• Naps fill the gaps. Lost night sleep is often made up by dozing in a chair after lunch or in front of the television.

Put together, this can look like "sleeping all day" when the night has actually been short and fragmented.

Common reasons for extra sleepiness

Poor sleep at night

Pain from joints, needing the toilet, breathlessness, heartburn, a bedroom that is too warm or too cold, and snoring with pauses in breathing can all break up the night. Our guide to the best temperature for sleeping covers the room, and our article on waking in the early hours looks at other common causes.

Medicines

Drowsiness is a listed side effect of many medicines, including some used for pain, allergies, mood, sleep, blood pressure and bladder problems. Taking several medicines together can add up. Never stop or reduce a medicine without advice, but do ask the GP or pharmacist for a medicines review. Bringing every packet, including vitamins and remedies bought over the counter, gives them the full picture.

Too little to do

Retirement, giving up driving, losing a partner or limited mobility can leave long, quiet days. Boredom and lack of daylight both encourage dozing, and lots of daytime sleep then makes the night lighter still.

Low mood

Depression in later life can show up as sleeping more, losing interest in things and withdrawing from people, rather than obvious sadness. It is treatable and worth raising with a doctor.

Health conditions

Heart and lung problems, an underactive thyroid, anaemia, diabetes, kidney problems and dementia can all affect sleep and energy. So can recovering from an illness or an operation.

Normal change or a warning sign?

When to get help quickly

Contact a doctor or urgent care service the same day if an older person becomes suddenly much sleepier than usual, is hard to wake, is newly confused or agitated, has a fever, has had a fall or a knock to the head, or has started a new medicine shortly before the change. In older adults, infections can show up as sudden drowsiness and confusion rather than the usual symptoms. Call emergency services if they cannot be roused, have trouble breathing, or show signs of a stroke such as facial drooping, arm weakness or slurred speech.

Gentle ways to support better days and nights

1. Keep a rough rhythm. Similar times for getting up, meals and bed help the body clock.
2. Get daylight early. A morning walk, time by a bright window or breakfast in the garden all help.
3. Keep naps short and early. A brief rest after lunch is fine; long late-afternoon naps tend to steal from the night.
4. Build in something to look forward to. A regular phone call, a club, a visitor or a small household task gives the day shape.
5. Limit late caffeine and alcohol, both of which can lighten sleep.
6. Make night-time trips safe. A low night light on the route to the bathroom reduces the risk of falls.

Keeping track, near or far

If you are worried, a simple sleep diary over a week or two can help the GP see the pattern: when your parent went to bed, roughly how often they woke, naps and how alert they seemed. If you live at a distance, a neighbour or regular visitor can help fill in the picture; our guide to long-distance caregiving has ideas for setting that up.