Why Your Elderly Parent Sleeps So Much Now — What's Normal, What Isn't, and What You Can Actually Do About It

You stop by one afternoon and find your mom asleep in her chair again. It happened a few days ago, and now you're wondering if it's just part of aging or something that needs attention.

Many family caregivers face the same question. While changes in sleep are common among older adults, excessive daytime sleepiness can sometimes point to an underlying health concern.

If you're caring for an aging loved one, knowing what to look for can help you decide when extra support is needed. Families exploring Nebraska’s Medicaid Waiver or in-home care services in Omaha often have similar concerns as they look for ways to help seniors stay safe, healthy, and independent at home.

This guide explains the common reasons older adults sleep more than usual, when it's considered normal, and the signs that may require a conversation with a healthcare provider.

How Sleep Naturally Changes After Age 70

It helps to know what the "new normal" will look like before you can see what is unusual — but it's not what you would expect.

If a 75-year-old is going to sleep at 9 PM and waking at 6 AM, he or she is not sleeping too much! There's no need to alarm a parent who naps for 30 minutes after lunch most days. Fewer natural light and less to do in winter months makes it easy for an older adult to feel tired by the middle of the day; this is not a warning sign.

What really is normal: falling asleep earlier, getting up earlier, poorer nighttime sleep in general, having a nap in the middle of the day, feeling more tired after physical activity than before, and not being as good with schedules.

Unusual behavior to consider: Sleeping during meals. Difficulty becoming alert. Hard to wake up. Getting agitated or confused when awakening. Taking one two-hour nap, one three-hour nap, or one four-hour nap instead of 30 minutes. Indifferent to being awake at any time. Sleep quite a bit more than it did even 6 months ago, for no apparent reason.

The question that matters aren't "are they sleeping more than they used to" — it's "has something changed recently?"

Once you know what's considered normal, it's easier to recognize the changes that may need closer attention.

5 Sleep Patterns You Shouldn't Ignore

If you recognize two or more of these, it's time to have a proper conversation with your parent's GP — not an alarmed one, but an informed one.

1. The sudden shift. Increased sleep over the years is generally age-related. It's different when it happens over weeks. If your parents start sleeping a lot more than normal in a short amount of time (from a little sleep to a lot more sleep in days or weeks), it's important to note. Rapid changes may indicate infection, change in medication, or the beginning of an issue that is very treatable when it first occurs.

2. They're hard to wake — and groggy once you do. Normal sleep, even a deep nap, is normal sleep and when you talk to them, they come up relatively quickly. If it takes several attempts to wake your parents, and they continue to be confused or sleepy for a long time afterward, it's not normal sleepiness.

3. The appetite has dropped too. If there is something wrong, it goes along with sleeping and eating. Rising sleep time and declining food intake at the same time is more informative than either of these alone, and if the parent is doing both of the above, and its new behavior — it's much more informative than if either or both of the above is not new.

4. Medication has recently changed. Almost 90% of Americans over the age of 65 are taking prescription drugs, and greater than 50% are taking four or more. As many as months of down time due to drowsiness from one prescription or another have been attributed to "senior moments" when in fact they are caused by the metabolism of prescription drugs. If sleep improves at the same time as a medication adjustment, discuss this with the prescribed doctor.

5. They've stopped initiating things. This is a subtle but important one! It's not the length of their sleep, rather it's what they do while they are awake. The parent who was listening but no longer asks for the cup of tea, who no longer goes to the radio or the crossword is listening. Withdrawal and sleep can go hand in hand.

Final Thought

So, every additional nap isn't necessarily a cause for concern. Sometimes, sleep disturbances are just a part of aging. However, if there are other indications, such as confusion, poor appetite, or a loss of interest in everyday activities, it is time to take further notice if sleep patterns suddenly change.

Believe in your observations. You're closer to your loved one than anyone else. However, if it still doesn't seem quite right, it may be helpful to have a discussion with their doctor for clarification and peace of mind. Taking steps early can make a positive impact on maintaining the health, safety, and independence of older adults.