Sarala Nair Sarala Nair Asked 8 months ago

Why do seniors sleep so much?

My mother, who is quite elderly, seems to sleep a lot more now than she used to. We often find her napping during the day. Is it common, why do seniors sleep so much?

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10 answers

Pooja Sharma Pooja Sharma Joined Jul 2026 4 months ago
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While it's true seniors often have altered sleep patterns, excessive sleepiness during the day or very long sleep duration can sometimes indicate underlying health issues. Conditions like sleep apnea, thyroid problems, depression, or even certain medications can cause this. It's always best to have a medical evaluation to rule out any treatable causes.

Meera Joshi Meera Joshi Joined Jul 2026 3 months ago

Hey! It's super common for older people to sleep more, especially during the day. Their sleep cycles change, and they often get less deep sleep at night, so they feel more tired during the day. Don't stress too much about it if they're otherwise healthy and active, it's pretty normal!

Anil Singh Anil Singh Joined Jan 2026 8 months ago

My father often naps a lot. The doctor explained that as we age, our sleep architecture changes. They might get less restorative deep sleep at night, so they feel the need to nap more during the day. We just make sure he's comfortable and gets enough rest, and is eating properly. Sometimes it's just their body's way of coping.

Arjun Reddy Arjun Reddy Joined Feb 2026 8 months ago

It's a mix of physiological changes and often reduced activity. Their internal clock shifts, and they might spend less time in deep sleep, leading to more napping. Gentle exercise, like a daily walk, if their doctor permits, can actually improve sleep quality at night and reduce excessive daytime sleepiness.

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Consult a internal medicine specialist

Ria Sharma Ria Sharma Joined Mar 2026 7 months ago

Oh yeah, my grandparents nap like pros! I guess their bodies just need more rest after all those years of hard work, right? Plus, they always say they don't sleep as soundly at night. So daytime naps make sense to catch up. Totally relatable after a long lecture, haha.

Rohit Kumar Rohit Kumar Joined Mar 2026 7 months ago

While some changes in sleep patterns are normal with age, don't just assume it's harmless if a senior is sleeping excessively. It could be a sign of something serious, like a thyroid issue or depression. Don't rely on internet theories; get them checked by a qualified doctor to be sure.

Disha Patel Disha Patel Joined Apr 2026 7 months ago

Oh, really? I always wondered about this. So it's mostly due to changes in their natural sleep cycle as they get older? Does that mean they still get enough rest overall, just broken up differently?

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Lakshmi Devi Lakshmi Devi Joined May 2026 5 months ago

Haan beta, humare bade buzurgh toh aise hi karte hain. Din mein bhi thoda so jaate hain, raat mein bhi. Shareer thak jaata hai na. Zyada kaam nahi karte, toh aaram chahiye hota hai. Bas khana time pe dein aur khush rakhein, baki Bhagwan ki marzi.

Rajesh Sharma Rajesh Sharma Joined May 2026 5 months ago

Haan, mere papa bhi bohot sote hain. Actually, unka sleep pattern change ho jaata hai. Raat mein deep sleep kum aati hai na, toh din mein thoda compensate karte hain. Bas dekho ki koi aur problem na ho, warna normal hai.

Nisha Verma Nisha Verma Joined Jun 2026 4 months ago

As people age, their sleep architecture undergoes changes; they tend to have less deep sleep and more fragmented sleep at night, which can lead to daytime napping. However, excessive or sudden increase in sleep can also be a symptom of underlying health conditions or medication side effects. It's always prudent to consult a doctor to rule out any medical concerns.

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