Why Is My Elderly Parent Sleeping All the Time? A Geriatric Care Expert Explains

You stop by your parent’s house in the afternoon and notice they’re still in bed. Later, during a phone call, they sound groggy, even though it’s early evening. The next day, it’s the same. Before long, you start to wonder: Why is my elderly parent sleeping all the time?

It’s a frightening question because it often feels like something is slipping out of your control. Is it just a normal part of aging, or could it be a sign of something more serious? The truth is, while some changes in sleep patterns are expected as we grow older, excessive sleep is often a red flag, and it deserves attention.

This article will walk you through the most common reasons seniors may sleep excessively, when to be concerned, and how to take action with the right medical and caregiving support.

Is Excessive Sleep Normal in Older Adults?

Some changes in sleep patterns are expected with age:

• Seniors may go to bed earlier and wake up earlier.

• Sleep may be lighter, with more nighttime waking.

• Daytime napping may become more common.

But sleeping excessively, such as 12+ hours a day or frequent long naps, often signals an underlying issue. If your parent seems unusually drowsy, disengaged, or hard to wake, it’s time to investigate.

Let’s start with some of the more concerning reasons for excessive sleep in elderhood:

1. Cognitive Decline and Dementia

Alzheimer’s and other dementias can alter brain function and circadian rhythms, leading to extended or irregular sleep. Patients in later stages of dementia often spend much of the day asleep due to brain changes and reduced stimulation.

2. Heart or Lung Problems

Conditions like congestive heart failure, COPD, or sleep apnea reduce oxygen levels in the body. This can cause fatigue, confusion, and excessive sleepiness.

3. Chronic Illness or Infection

Urinary tract infections, pneumonia, and other infections often cause sudden, unexplained sleepiness in seniors, sometimes without obvious symptoms like fever. Diabetes, kidney disease, and thyroid disorders can also contribute.

4. Medication Side Effects

Polypharmacy (taking multiple prescriptions) is common among older adults. Sedatives, antihistamines, antidepressants, and even blood pressure medications can increase drowsiness.

5. Depression and Emotional Withdrawal

Depression in seniors is often underdiagnosed, and one hallmark symptom is oversleeping. If your parent seems withdrawn, tearful, or uninterested in activities, depression may be the cause.

6. Nutritional Deficiencies

Low levels of B12, folate, or vitamin D can cause fatigue and drowsiness. Malnutrition, common in older adults who live alone or have swallowing difficulties, also leads to low energy.

7. End-of-Life Decline

In advanced illness, or during the natural process of approaching end of life, increased sleep can be the body’s way of conserving energy. Hospice professionals often identify this as part of the final stage of life.

There are also some Red Flags that require immediate attention.

Seek medical evaluation quickly if your parent’s sleep changes are accompanied by:

• Sudden confusion or delirium

• Slurred speech, weakness, or facial drooping (possible stroke)

• Shortness of breath or chest pain

• Rapid decline in mobility or self-care ability

• Inability to stay awake during meals or conversations

These may indicate urgent health problems that need immediate medical care.

As a family caregiver, here is your to-do list:

✔️ Step 1: Track Sleep Patterns

Keep a log: when they sleep, how long naps last, and whether sleep seems restorative. Note any changes in appetite, mood, or cognition.

✔️ Step 2: Review Medications

Bring a full medication list to your parent’s doctor. A geriatric care manager can also conduct a medication review to flag interactions or sedating side effects.

✔️ Step 3: Encourage Gentle Stimulation

Encourage daily routines, exposure to natural light, social interaction, and light activity. Sometimes lack of engagement leads to oversleeping.

✔️ Step 4: Schedule a Medical Evaluation

A thorough workup (including labs and cognitive screening) can reveal treatable causes, like thyroid disease, infections, or vitamin deficiencies.

When we work with people who are overwhelmed by the question “Why is my elderly parent sleeping all the time?”, there are a few things we focus on:

• Conducting comprehensive assessments to uncover causes of fatigue and coordinate medical evaluations;

• Reviewing medications with doctors and pharmacists to reduce drowsiness side effects;

• Recommending trusted home care providers who can monitor daily routines and encourage engagement;

• Planning for long-term care needs, whether that’s adjusting support at home or exploring facility-based care;

• Supporting families logistically and emotionally when excessive sleep signals late-stage illness or end-of-life.

Our role is to give you answers, options, and peace of mind—so you can focus on being a son or daughter, not just a worried caregiver.

Excessive sleep in elderly parents is not something to ignore. Sometimes it’s a benign age-related change. More often, it points to medical, emotional, or neurological conditions that require attention.

By noticing patterns early, documenting changes, and seeking expert guidance, you can ensure your parent receives the right care at the right time.

Take the first step toward clarity:

If you’re asking “Why is my elderly parent sleeping all the time?” and feeling stuck, our care team can help you sort through the causes, arrange medical evaluations, and build a sustainable plan.

Book your free consultation today at seniorsteps.org/book-online and let us help you move from uncertainty to confidence in your parent’s care.