All my mother does is sleep all day and night. Is this normal?

I strongly agree that definitely is an excessive amount of time to be sleeping, and I would definitely bring that to a doctor's attention ASAP. This is definitely abnormal unless the person is currently undergoing the dying process. If this is a medication reaction, then this definitely needs a doctor's attention because we were never designed to sleep excessively.

my mom has dementia she is 78.there are 4 of us takeing care of her,takeing our turnes,in the past 2 weeks i have noticed she went from watching her certian tv programs to want to sleep all the time. up hour sleep 2 hours. i had to make her go shopping with me today,when we got home she put her jammers on and went to bed

Seems every time I go visit mom lately she is asleep in her recliner. Today I sat down and watched her for about 15 minutes. Every so often moms lips would move, not talking in her sleep but more like she was talking to someone in a dream - then she would smile. Mom looked so happy, I let her be and left.

Each case is different. My mother sleeps more and more, but, she has advanced Alzheimers and I have managed to get her at home hospice. It's not just the sleeping, but other changes as well that inspired me to look into hospicr. We are using Connecticut Hospice and they are great.

My Mum is a healthy 91 and has been active all her life. Mum has also been taking levothyroxine for decades for low thyroid. My Mum had a test 10 months ago and the doctor went by the TSH and lowered her dose from 100mcg to 75mcg. Mum started to get confused and low energy. I am also hypothyroid and have transferred onto NDT and feel so much better and I more knowledgeable about the hormones now. Mum was never tested for the T3 hormone which provides energy and my endocrinologist said that the older one gets and more difficult it is for the body to change the T4 hormone which is what levo is a synthetic version of. So the T3 hormone depletes in the body as we age causing less energy, fatigue and brain fog associated with hypothyroidism. Just before Christmas this year my brother took my Mum a large Christmas cake and she started eating mince pies. My brother also gave her a large box of chocolates for Christmas. I noticed that on Christmas Day she was confused and very quiet and since then has had days when she sleeps all day and is confused then a few days when she gets up, isn't so confused. She told me she had just been eating cake and chocolates when I am not visiting and when I visit when she is sleeping I give her good nutritious food, vegetable soup, eggs, superfood smoothies, she takes her supplements I give her for low thyroid and then is a lot better the next day. Mum was finally tested for T3 in October 2015 and she was well below the minimum, I rang the surgery and they said everything was fine no need to see the doctor. But when a few weeks later I picked up the printed results I was horrified to see her T3 so low. I spoke to my private endocrinologist who said she was T4 toxic and she wasn't converting to T3 giving her confusion and fatigue. He said 'I wonder how many people in care homes are actually having hormonal problems and are told its just their age, its a disgrace to the elderly'. I am still waiting for an NHS (English system) endocrinoligst to see her but I am taking her to my private endocrinologist on 20 Jan 2016. We all need to fight for the elderly just sitting there, they can't fight their corner, we have to be pro-active and get something done, perhaps all this dementia is just brain fog from low hormone levels, adrenal dysfunction, low cortisol. I give my Mum supplements for high blood pressure, cholesterol, low thyroid and her other results were good, two weeks ago we walked a mile, went out for a meal, had meaningful conversations and she didn't repeat herself once. So if the brain has deteriorated how come the highs and lows, it all points to hormones. My friend has Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and is exactly the same, if she overdoes it she is in bed for one or two days with fatigue and brain fog. I have two children, my husband walked out on me, I had a heart attack, and I am fighting for my Mum, we have to. Good luck, and don't take the first answer you get, ITS HER AGE!!

I'm a caregiver for a friend with parkinsons and msa. She is deteriorating fast it seems today is the worse. She hasn't woke up all morning , 7 hrs now. No pain, but when I try n wake her, she wont, she opened her eyes once but then back to sleep. Should I be doing something else's? Should I try and wake her?

My mom slept 20 hours each the last two days. Not unusual for her to sleep 1030 pm to 12 noon. Is this a red flag for something. She has Alzheimer's but is a happy and pleasant person.

troybse, Many insurance companies and/or clinics have nurse helplines you can call 24 hours. They listen to the symptoms, ask questions, and then help you determine if the situation needs attention, and if it does if it can wait until normal clinic hours or should be handled by ER. I have called ours many times and found it very helpful.

What insurance does your mother have? Do they have a 24-hour-helpline? If not, what hospital would you take her to? I have also called the ER, described symptoms, and asked if I should bring the person in. I think you'll feel better with a professional answer than waiting for a knowledgeable person to happen by this thread.

Does Mom seem to have a fever? I guess what would bother me most is not drinking anything. (But that is not a professional opinion!)

My mother is 91 years old..she went to the dr and turns out she is getting over a uti..He said it's almost gone,but the he prescribed some antibiotics..she went to bed at 8pm yesterday evening(Tuesday)..,she's still asleep now and it's after midnight Thursday..she urinated in bed this morning at day light ,and I tried to get her awake but she says she wants to get her sleep out ..she has sleep apnea but not dementia or ahlzeimers..she's been asleep now for over 24 hours..this has NEVER happened before..i'm scared and I woke her up a couple hours ago and told her maybe I should call an ambulance..she insisted she has no pain and just wants to sleep..what can I do and why is she sleeping like this?? will she wake up on her own and get up..she ahsn't eaten or had anything to drink in over 24 hours..i don't understand what's happening?? could it be the medication?? at least she's using her oxygen as she sleeps thank god

clostarxx, it might be normal for her.

Are you her caregiver? What are her impairments? Why are you living with her? It would help to have a better overview of this situation.

my mum is 38 and all she does is slep all day she gets up at about 4 in the afternoon im so angry i can never have my friends over or anything and shes always on facebook is this normal

Maybe she is bored? My husband 87 years sleep 23hours a day.
I wake Him up make Him big breakfast /4 slices bacon, 2eggs and 1 slice of bread,Orange juice. Back to sleep. Lunch whole chicken breasts or steak etc,,,
back to sleep.Evening Fish and potatoes or snietzel and potatoes..etc..Eat a lot never gain weight and He need to gain, 5'7"and 140lbs. Than if I go for grocery the minute I`m out of garage He is up in computer and TV watching porn and all kind dating sites.Than I feel like slave,He is addict.When He can be on porn He is happy otherwise He is bored and sleep and sleep. Is this normal?

My dad is also 90 and only sleeps and eats as well. He has Alzheimer's and his mind is going quickly.

My 90 year old Dad only sleeps and eats. Both my parents have dementia so am frustrated. Yes we should stay active as caregivers. Hope we all can.

My mother is 88 and sleeps all day and all night. She still eats, but mostly sweets foods. Her doctor seems to be disinterested in her quality of life and just shrugs this off. I am taking her to a different doctor next week. She is on anti-depressants. My niece, a nurse, noticed that she is eating ice. She suggested we have her checked to see if she is anemic, as that is a sign of anemia in pregnant women. She takes no vitamins or minerals at all. So she could be low on B vitamins as well as low on iron. She has always been very active, but it is difficult for her to even walk now. I read yesterday that some researchers believe that what we accept as "old age infirmities" may actually be the result of chronic and total lack of exercise. So all you caregivers out there, keep up your own health and fitness for your future golden years to be sure they are indeed, golden.

Shylou,
Your mom's sleep apnea can aggravate all of her other medical issues. She needs her sleep to aid her body. Sleep apnea causes the heart to work very hard and it can lead to strokes and other things. I would highly encourage her to revisit C-pap threapy as txcamper sugests.

They have new machines that are quiet and easy to operate. I am new to cpap treatment, but it has really helped me. I wear a nasal pillow too and it's quite comfortable. There are websites just for cpap users and that can provide lots of emotional support too. Good luck.

Shylou, I also have sleep apnea, and let me tell you that if it is very severe, your mother will fall asleep anytime and anywhere. It is because she isn't sleeping well. Her sleep doctor or the place where she got her CPAP machine can help her with trying out different masks. I began with the full face mask, but have "graduated" to just the nasal pillows. They are so much more comfortable and are not as restrictive. The newer machines are a lot quieter too. She should have her apnea reevaluated and get under the care of a sleep doctor. This is a dangerous situation, as the apnea also affects her heart.

She is way too young to be feeling this bad. Hopefully you can help her get all this straightened out. The meds may be interfering with each other.

My mother is 62 and all she does is sleep but she doesn't want to live her life the way and the times when she should be sleeping she cant, which is usually throughout the night. She has thyroid disease, adhd, depression, sleep apnea (doesn't waer her mask), congestive heart failue, fibromyalgia therefore she is on alot of different medications that could be causing this. She will feel fine and then within minutes she hangs her head and is asleep. Sometimes this happens when she is walking to her bedroom with her coffee and down goes the coffee. She wants to be healthy again but dr just keeping adding medications and nothing ever changes. My mother for last 5 years has been in this shape. Better this sickness took over she was an active person with 2 jobs, enjoyed her grandkids, enjoyed making people laugh, sociable and now i can barely get her out of the house. She tends to get anxiety when she has something to do and then this bout of sleepiness occurs and she is unable to do anything until she sleeps it off. Well I think it is the medications and I would like to know how do a person start over with new drs after all these years. I would like to save the life she has left. Please help

I am experiencing the same thing with my 94 year-old mother who is visiting me for a couple of months. Other than dementia, she is not ill and is not on any medication. She has good days when she'll get up by herself and bad days when she can sleep day and night for a couple of days. On the bad days, I force her to get up so I can give her food and beverages (and change wet bedding), but she is very weak and disoriented on the days I force her out of bed. It concerned me to the point that I called the paramedics the first time this happened. She was evaluated in the hospital and released after nothing was found to be wrong with her. It's difficult to deal with, and I am determined not to panic again! The best I can do is interact with her lovingly on the good days, and let her rest without being disturbed more than necessary on the bad days.

When living in Zambia it was thought my wife had Alzheimer's this was 13 years ago. She flew to the UK and it was confirmed she had Alzheimers. For the next few years she returned to the Uk for further testing. We returned tothe Uk in 2010 and now she no longer walks, or talkes.,and must be toileted. Carers come 4times a day.DD Murdoch

My wife is 77years old and has had Alzheimers for 13 years. yesterday she would not stay awake and was put to bed at 11.30 am. She was still asleep at 7am in the morning. we woke her and fed and toileted her. Once in her chair she fell asleep yet again.At 12noon we woke her again for the toilet and lunch, she fell asleep on the toilet, and we failed to give her all her lunch. DD mudroch.

puntacana2014, you say "I would prefer her to spend the rest of her days in familiar surroundings." I can certainly understand that and I don't blame you. But practicalities have to be faced. Basically, it sounds like you would like your sister to continue taking care of your mother. But sister says this is getting to be beyond her limits.

So what are the reasonable options. Should mother come home? Do you mean to her own home, or your sister's home, or your home? Sister says she can no longer look after herself. You disagree. But why would sister lie about this? Persons with Parkinson's Disease with Dementia (PDD) get worse. It varies by individual a lot, but generally speaking PDD often advances faster than ALZ does. So even if mother can take care of most of her needs now, that may not last long at all. As dementia advances it becomes impossible for the person who has it to live alone. She might continue to live at home, if someone lives with her. (My husband lived at home with me.) Who do you propose that someone should be? Sister has already opted out. Can Mom afford around-the-clock in-home care? Can you take some of the shifts?

Staying in familiar surroundings definitely does have benefits. But being in an environment where there is mild stimulation and lots of activities and trained oversight has a lot of benefits, too.

Is there only one home being considered now? Are there other possibilities in the area?

I have noticed that the adult child who lives far off sees things differently than the adult child who is actually doing the care giving.

Your sister is probably very drained and realistic about what she as one person can continue to do. Your sister needs some compassion not sibling fighting.

Who has the durable and medical POA for mom?

Can you relocate to where you live closer and can give your sister a LOT more help? People who don't do 24 hour caregiving do not understand exactly how draining it is. Emotionally and physically. It's nice that you can see Mum on weekends, but do you give your sister a break when you're there, or are you just visiting?

If you're not able to contribute at the very least 50% of your mother's care, then I wouldn't fight your sister's idea to place her in a care home.

do you think mum should come home or stay in a care home where she is looked after 24hrs per day also I noticed that people in the home are a lot worse than she is. I would prefer her to spend the rest of her days in familiar surroundings

my mother is 83 and has parkinsons with mild dementia she is now in respite for a while but my sister says she can no longer look after herself, i disagree with her. she helps look after mum as i live miles away and can only see mum at weekends

If one thinks about the physiology of an aging body its not so surprising that many elders sleep so much more. For most their bodies are failing. Many can't see or hear well anymore so that makes it difficult to interact. Many have dementia and other brain disorders that make it difficult to understand the world around them. Many have organs that are failing, for example their lungs that make it harder for them to breathe, thus making it harder to be active. Many have joints that no longer move easily and are very painful.
The human body is meant for only so many years, eventually it just wears out.
May be sleeping more is just natures way of making those final years easier.
If you've ruled out depression or boredom etc. then maybe it's time to be at peace with their sleeping so much. At least they aren't suffering.

Hubby is 76 and doctors say in good health. But he sleeps 7 to 8 hrs. a night and then sleeps during the morning in his recliner - gets up to go to a restaurant for lunch - and heads straight to the recliner till 4 or 5 pm - then up to eat dinner and naps again in the evening. Says his nighttime sleeping is not good, but is that because he sleeps so much during the day and has his circadian rhythm all mess up? I thought that only happened in animals. FL. doctor gave him a B-12 shot - only worked days. Indiana doctor doesn't believe in them, so I bought OTC B-12 (1000 mcg) and they don't help. He is fatigued all the time and yet says he feels pretty good. If someone talks to him and makes it a long story, he closes his eyes - it's embarrassing. Would Melatonin help ? He had a CBC in January in Florida and it turned out good. HELP??

my mother is 86 years old and all she does is sleep day and night and now is is getting delirious in a very serious way seeing raccoons in her room busting things and birds flying about hearing noises etc. we try to calm her down but it is very difficult she calls us constantly for no apparent reason every 10 - 15 minutes or so it is all so hard to deal with her dr. knows she is hallucinating a lot but is nothing her offers to do short of admitting her to a nursing home, we are at wits end, does any body have any suggestions on this issue.

My mum in-law is 93 she is very down in the dumps she lives in a warden assisted complex she has her own flat all she does is sit in her chair and flip through the tv channels finding game shows that are repeats so has seen them time and time again she used to go down to bingo 3 times a week but cannot she has very little to eat and drink and is now dehydrated badly we keep encouraging her to eat and drink more but feel I am on a loosing battle with her she will not go to hospital she is adamant about this has anyone else had to deal with this and cand give some advise to hospital which the doctor advised