Daytime Napping: Healthy Habit Or Concern For The Elderly?

As people age, their sleep patterns change. Older people tend to sleep more lightly than when they were younger, and they often wake up during the night due to achy joints or the need to use the bathroom. Many seniors compensate for this lost sleep by catching a restorative nap during the day.

However, daytime sleepiness in the elderly becomes a problem when they spend most of their time dozing instead of engaging in life. If a senior is sleeping all day, it's important to find out why. A visit to the doctor is in order to rule out any underlying health problems.

- Boredom and lack of engagement: As people age, they may develop chronic health conditions and experience age-related changes that prevent them from doing the things they enjoy. When options for outings, activities, and entertainment are limited, elders may slide into the habit of napping throughout the day.

- Medication issues: Many elderly people take multiple medications, and these may interact in ways that cause excessive sleepiness. It's important to remain in contact with your loved one's doctor and to note any changes in medications or side effects.

- Depression and low energy: Depression can cause anyone to lose the desire to engage in activities and can also cause excessive fatigue. Depression is not a normal part of aging, and it can be helped by medical attention, therapy, and support from family and friends.

- Dementia: Seniors with Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia often experience a wide array of sleep problems, especially in the later stages of the disease. As the brain changes, issues arise with circadian rhythms and temporal awareness, making it difficult for dementia patients to sleep through the night and keep a normal schedule.

- Other possible health concerns: Excessive sleepiness during the day can indicate that a loved one's health has taken a turn. In the most severe cases, a doctor may recommend an assessment for an increased level of care, such as skilled nursing or hospice.

Excessive daytime sleepiness in elderly people can be a symptom of an underlying health condition, such as depression or dementia

Depression

Depression is not a normal part of aging. It can cause anyone, young or old, to lose the desire to engage in activities they once loved. It can also cause excessive fatigue. Depression can be triggered by boredom, the loss of a sense of purpose, medication changes, the death of loved ones, inability to engage in activities they used to enjoy, family difficulties, loneliness, and other challenges. Research estimates that major depressive disorder occurs in five percent of community-dwelling elders, while up to 16 percent of older adults have clinically relevant depressive symptoms.

Medication Issues

The average senior takes between four and five separate medications. All medications have side effects, so it is no surprise that taking multiple drugs can produce interactions that magnify these effects. Older individuals metabolise medications differently from their younger counterparts, meaning they are more susceptible to adverse effects like drowsiness and dizziness. Prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications for conditions like anxiety, depression, high blood pressure, insomnia, chronic pain, Parkinson's disease, nausea, and allergies can all cause excessive sleepiness.

Dementia

Seniors with Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia often experience a wide array of sleep problems, especially in the later stages of the disease. As the brain changes, issues arise with circadian rhythms and temporal awareness, making it difficult for dementia patients to sleep through the night and keep a normal schedule. In some cases, sleeping during the day is the only way patients can make up for lost sleep at night.

Other Possible Health Concerns

The advanced stages of some terminal illnesses can result in loved ones sleeping much of the day. Excessive sleepiness during the day does not always mean death is close, but if your loved one is sleeping a lot more than they should be, contact their doctor to see if a specific treatment should be altered, added, or removed.

Elderly people may sleep all day due to the side effects of medication

The use of multiple medications, or polypharmacy, is common among older adults. The interactions of multiple drugs can have unanticipated effects on sleep. Beta-blockers, bronchodilators, corticosteroids, decongestants, diuretics, cardiovascular, neurologic, psychiatric, and gastrointestinal medications can all disrupt sleep.

Additionally, sedating medications, such as antidepressants and antipsychotics, are often prescribed to older adults and can contribute to excessive daytime sleepiness. It is important to note that the side effects of these medications may be more pronounced in elderly patients, who are more sensitive to the effects of drugs.

Furthermore, the use of over-the-counter sleep aids, such as antihistamines, should be approached with caution in the elderly. While these medications can help with sleep initiation, they may also cause side effects such as dizziness, sedation, confusion, dry mouth, constipation, and urinary retention.

Therefore, it is crucial to carefully consider the potential side effects of medications prescribed to older adults and monitor them for any changes in sleep patterns or excessive daytime sleepiness. Adjustments to medication regimens may be necessary to improve sleep quality and overall well-being in the elderly.

Boredom and lack of engagement can cause elderly people to sleep a lot during the day

Elders can also be affected by polypharmacy, which is a serious concern for older adults. A recent poll found that 89% of Americans aged 65 and older take prescription medicine, with more than half (54%) taking four or more prescriptions. All medications have side effects, so it is no surprise that taking multiple drugs can produce interactions that magnify these effects. Older individuals metabolise medications differently to their younger counterparts, meaning they are even more susceptible to adverse effects like drowsiness and dizziness.

Dementia can cause elderly people to sleep a lot during the day

In addition, people with dementia may experience a shift in their sleep-wake cycle, causing them to feel sleepy during the day and awake at night. This can be distressing for family and friends, who may worry that something is wrong. However, if the person doesn't seem well in other ways or the excessive sleeping started suddenly, it may be due to another cause.

Medications can also play a role in daytime sleepiness among the elderly with dementia. Some antipsychotics, antidepressants, antihistamines, and sleeping pills may contribute to sleepiness. Additionally, breathing disorders such as sleep apnoea can also lead to longer sleep duration.

It is important to note that the quality of sleep gradually deteriorates as people with dementia age. They tend to get less deep or 'slow-wave' sleep, which is crucial for keeping the brain healthy and refreshed. Even if they sleep more than a typical person their age, it is unlikely to be good-quality sleep.

Furthermore, the type of dementia can also affect sleep patterns. For example, people with dementia caused by Lewy body disease, such as Parkinson's disease or dementia with Lewy bodies, often experience sleep disturbances and are sleepy during the day. They may suffer from confusion, nightmares, hallucinations, insomnia, sleep apnoea, and restless legs.

In the later stages of dementia, people may sleep a lot due to the progression of the disease

In addition, people with dementia often experience drastic changes to their circadian rhythm, or sleep-wake cycle. The brain's internal clock tells us when we should be alert and when we should sleep. In people with dementia, brain cells related to sleep cycles are often impaired as a result of dementia-related brain damage. This makes it difficult for them to follow a normal 24-hour sleep-wake cycle, leading to excessive daytime sleeping.

Other factors that can contribute to increased sleep in people with dementia include medications, underlying health conditions, and sleep disorders. Certain medications, such as antipsychotics, antidepressants, and antihistamines, can cause drowsiness. Additionally, conditions like vascular dementia, Parkinson's disease, or Lewy body dementia may cause increased sleep during the day and restlessness at night. Obstructive sleep apnea, which affects nearly 40% of people with dementia, can also disrupt sleep.

While increased sleep is common in the later stages of dementia, it is recommended to speak to a doctor if sleep patterns change suddenly. This could indicate a problem with medication, illness, or another complication that requires immediate attention.

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