Around 20% of older people experience excessive daytime sleepiness, which may be a sign of an underlying health condition rather than merely old age. Excessive daytime sleepiness in older adults may be a symptom of health issues like sleep apnea, cognitive impairment, or cardiovascular issues.

How much sleep is too much for elderly?

Adults (18-64): 7-9 hours. Older adults (65+): 7-8 hours.

What medical conditions cause excessive sleeping?

Chronic medical conditions and mental health disorders are often accompanied by daytime sleepiness. Common culprits include depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, lupus, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, cancer, chronic pain, obesity¹⁴, and hypothyroidism, among others.

What causes a person to want to sleep all the time?

The most common causes of excessive sleepiness are sleep deprivation and disorders like sleep apnea and insomnia. Depression and other psychiatric problems, certain medications, and medical conditions affecting the brain and body can cause daytime drowsiness as well.

How long should you let an elderly person sleep?

Adults over the age of 65 should be getting 7-8 hours of sleep per night. But getting quality sleep at night can be difficult for seniors. As we age, our bodies make less of the chemicals and hormones that help us sleep well.

Why is my elderly mother sleeping all day?

Daytime sleepiness is very common among elderly people. Sometimes it’s just a sign of interrupted nighttime sleeping due to poor sleep habits, an uncomfortable environment, the aches and pains of aging or a side effect of medications.

What stage of dementia is sleeping all the time?

Sleeping excessively is a common feature of later-stage dementia. The reason for the excess sleepiness may be one of the following: As the disease progresses, the brain damage becomes more extensive, and the patient wants to just lie down.

Can dehydration cause sleepiness?

That’s because your body needs to be properly hydrated to feel energized and function optimally. Here’s what happens when you’re dehydrated: As dehydration sets in, your blood pressure drops, leading to poor circulation and reduced blood flow to your brain. This causes feelings of sleepiness.

What does excessive sleepiness mean?

Excessive sleepiness is the feeling of being especially tired or drowsy during the day. Unlike fatigue, which is more about low energy, excessive sleepiness can make you feel so tired that it interferes with school, work, and possibly even your relationships and day-to-day functioning.

Is sleeping too much bad?

Too much sleep — as well as not enough sleep — raises the risk of chronic diseases, such as coronary heart disease, diabetes, anxiety and obesity in adults age 45 and older. Sleeping too much puts you at greater risk of coronary heart disease, stroke and diabetes than sleeping too little.

Why do I want to sleep all the time and have no energy?

In most cases, there’s a reason for the fatigue. It might be allergic rhinitis, anemia, depression, fibromyalgia, chronic kidney disease, liver disease, lung disease (COPD), a bacterial or viral infection, or some other health condition. If that’s the case, then the long-term outlook is good.

How much sleep is too much?

The “right” amount of sleep proves somewhat individual as some people will feel great on seven hours and others may need a little longer. However, in most studies and for most experts, over nine hours is considered an excessive or long amount of sleep for adults.

What do we call a person who sleeps too much?

Oversleeping is called hypersomnia or “long sleeping.” This condition affects about 2 percent of people. People with hypersomnia might require as many as 10 to 12 hours of sleep per night to feel their best.

How much should a 90 year old sleep?

Most healthy older adults age 65 or older need 7-8 hours of sleep each night to feel rested and alert. But as you age, your sleep patterns may change. These changes can cause insomnia, or trouble sleeping.

Why does my 90 year old dad sleep all the time?

The Causes of Excessive Sleep Poor sleep quality at night. Side effects of medication. Emotional challenges like depression or anxiety. Lack of emotional stimulation leading to boredom.