Is Daytime Sleeping Normal for Older Adults?

As your parent or spouse gets older, you might notice they’re napping more than they used to. Napping, as well as having lighter, more broken-up sleep, can be a part of the normal aging process. 

But if an elderly person is sleeping all day, it shouldn’t be shrugged off as just another part of getting older. This is especially true when excessive sleepiness happens suddenly, or when it comes with changes in mood, appetite, thinking, or socializing. 

Is it normal for an elderly person to sleep all day?

It’s helpful to know the difference between normal sleeping changes and what’s considered excessive. One study found that up to 60% of older adults nap during the day, and that 30-minute naps are linked with better health. The average person (including older adults) needs seven to nine hours of sleep on average — it’s a myth that everyone needs eight hours of sleep. 

But there are instances where sleep can be a concern. Some of these include:

• Sleeping 12 or more hours a night
• Sleeping through meals
• Falling asleep while sitting
• Sleeping both day and night 

Excessive sleep is a signal for you to investigate what’s going on — it’s not a sign that your loved one has given up, or that you’ve failed as a caregiver. There can be several reasons why your loved one is sleeping so much, including medical, emotional, medication-related reasons, or even as part of the dementia process.

Why older adults may sleep more during the day

There isn’t usually one specific reason for daytime sleepiness. Causes can overlap with each other and include factors like:

• Not sleeping well at night
• Chronic illness, such as heart and lung diseases, and diabetes
• Pain
• Infection (such as a urinary tract infection)
• Sleep apnea, which is when you have pauses in your breathing
• Medication side effects
• Poor nutrition or dehydration
• Low activity
• Depression, anxiety, or grief
• Dementia

Older adults don’t get as much deep sleep (the restorative sleep your body needs) as younger adults, and have more lighter stages of sleep. So while your loved one might spend more time in bed, they might actually have poor sleep quality and more daytime sleepiness.

Abrupt sleep changes can be more concerning than a gradual shift. If you’re noticing your loved one suddenly sleeping more and they’re also experiencing symptoms like confusion, weakness, shortness of breath, or have recently started a new medication, contact their health care provider for a medical evaluation.  

When sleeping all day might signal depression, grief, or anxiety

Medical causes of oversleeping need to be ruled out, but sometimes sleeping too much can signal a mental health concern such as anxiety, depression, or grief. 

Depression in older adults can be hard to identify because your loved one may not appear sad. Instead, they can experience fatigue, sleeping more often, irritability, physical complaints, or withdrawal. Depression and trouble sleeping can also go hand in hand. Poor sleep can worsen mood, and depression or anxiety can make sleep feel like an escape or the only relief for coping. 

Grief is different from depression, but bereavement can cause sleeping difficulties as well. Grief can come in waves after the loss of a spouse or other family member, while depression is more persistent.

You may not know whether your loved one is tired, sad, giving up, or declining medically, and the uncertainty is why finding support matters.  

Sleeping all day, dementia, and end-of-life concerns

Sleep disruption is common in older adults with dementia, but sleeping more during the day doesn’t automatically mean your loved one has dementia. 

Other symptoms of dementia can include confusion, disorientation, personality changes, wandering, or major changes in daily functioning. If your loved one is experiencing these symptoms along with new daytime sleepiness, it may be a good idea to be evaluated for cognitive decline. It’s also okay to speak with your loved one’s care team if they already have a dementia diagnosis and you have concerns about your loved one’s level of sleepiness.  

If your loved one is already in the later stages of dementia or a serious illness, increased sleep is often a part of that progression. In end-of-life situations, sleeping more frequently can happen alongside reduced appetite, decreased responsiveness, and lower interest in interaction. 

What to do if an older parent or spouse is sleeping too much

If your loved one is sleeping too much, start by tracking your observations. Notes on the following can be helpful to bring along to a doctor’s appointment:

• How many hours are they sleeping, and at what times? 
• Are they sleeping through meals, or have they not been drinking or eating their usual amount?
• Have you noticed mood changes like irritability, withdrawal, or flatness?
• Are there signs of confusion or disorientation? 
• Have they started any new medications or dosage changes? 
• Are they snoring or gasping in their sleep?
• Has there been any recent losses or major life changes?

Contact your loved one’s provider if sleep changes have been sudden or if their sleepiness is affecting eating, hydration, mobility, or alertness. Seek emergency care right away if you notice stroke symptoms, chest pain or shortness of breath, delirium, or difficulty waking them up. 

If your loved one isn’t showing any severe medical concerns, you can try helping them with some lifestyle changes. This might include providing plenty of daytime light, regular mealtimes, gentle movement like short walks, opportunities for socializing, and having a consistent sleep schedule. Avoiding longer or late-day naps can also be helpful for protecting nighttime sleep. 

Therapy can help address underlying mental health concerns including grief, loneliness, loss of role/purpose, or coping with chronic pain. 

If you’re a caregiver for an older spouse or parent who’s sleeping too much, you may be worried or possibly even coping with grief of your own. Caregivers and partners can become so focused on the person sleeping that their own needs go unaddressed. Therapy is available for you as well, and is covered under Medicare.   

How Sailor Health can help with sleep health

When an older adult begins sleeping through the day, it’s often a sign that something deeper is happening beneath the surface. It could mean navigating the weight of depression, processing a major loss, or coping with the loneliness that can come with later life. For caregivers, watching this shift can bring up its own wave of worry and exhaustion. In either case, addressing what is happening emotionally during waking hours is often a crucial part of uncovering why problematic daytime sleeping patterns have emerged.

Therapy can provide a supportive space to process complex emotions, rebuild sustainable daily routines, and manage caregiver burnout. For those who are already dealing with chronic fatigue or the demands of caregiving, the thought of driving to an office and sitting in a waiting room can feel like too much. Sailor Health removes those barriers by bringing mental healthcare directly to you, offering private sessions from home over video or phone call, including traditional landlines.

Our therapists are experienced older adults themselves. They understand how mental health symptoms can show up differently in later life, and they tailor evidence-based techniques to meet you exactly where you are. We make getting started simple: we’ll match you with a provider based on your unique needs and preferences, and there are no long waiting lists. You may be able to begin therapy within 24 hours of signing up. Sailor Health works with Medicare to help make therapy more affordable, and most of our patients have a $0 copay. 

If excessive daytime sleepiness has become an issue, finding the support may be easier than you think. Reach out when you’re ready, and we’ll help you take the first step.

Excessive sleeping FAQ

Is it normal for a 90-year-old to sleep most of the day?

Very advanced age can come with more sleep, but sleeping most of the day isn’t automatically normal at any age. Excessive sleep that accompanies poor eating or hydration or difficulty with daily functioning should be addressed with a healthcare provider. 

Can depression make an older adult sleep all day?

Yes, depression can make an older adult sleep all day. Daytime sleepiness, along with fatigue, irritability, and withdrawal, can all be signs of depression in older adults rather than visible sadness.

Is sleeping all day a sign of dementia?

It can be. While sleeping all day can happen in older adults without dementia, it’s also a possible sign of dementia, especially if it’s happening along with confusion, personality changes, or a significant loss in daily functioning. 

How can I help my elderly spouse stay awake during the day without nagging them?

You can help your partner stay awake during the day by focusing on structure. Morning light exposure, a consistent wake-up time and bedtime, regular mealtimes, and short walks can all help with daytime alertness. Framing it as something you’re doing together can be more helpful than pointing out the problem directly. 

References

1. Zhang, Z., Xiao, X., Ma, W., & Li, J. (2020). Napping in Older Adults: A Review of Current Literature. Current sleep medicine reports, 6(3), 129–135. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40675-020-00183-x https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3142094/
2. American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry. (2025). Sleeping Well as We Age. https://aagponline.org/patient-article/sleeping-well-as-we-age/
3. MedlinePlus. (2024). Aging changes in sleep. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/004018.htm
4. Cooke, J. R., & Ancoli-Israel, S. (2011). Normal and Abnormal Sleep in the Elderly. Handbook of Clinical Neurology, 98, 653. doi:10.1016/B978-0-444-52006-7.00041-1. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3142094/