![An empty bed in darkness](/sites/default/files/styles/image_2by1/public/media/images/image/2021-09/Is%20it%20typical%20for%20a%20person%20with%20dementia%20to%20sleep%20a%20lot%20during%20the%20day.jpg?itok=qFUvYiNs)
Advice
Is it typical for people with dementia to sleep a lot during the day?
People with dementia, especially those in the later stages, can often spend a lot of time sleeping. This can sometimes be worrying for carers, friends and family. Find out why a person with dementia might sleep more than an average person of their age.
It is quite common for a person with dementia, especially in the later stages, to spend a lot of their time sleeping – both during the day and night. This can sometimes be distressing for the person’s family and friends, as they may worry that something is wrong.
Sleeping more and more is a common feature of later-stage dementia. As the disease progresses, the damage to a person’s brain becomes more extensive and they gradually become weaker and frailer over time.
As a result, a person with dementia may find it quite exhausting to do relatively simple tasks like communicating, eating or trying to understand what is going on around them. This can make the person sleep more during the day as their symptoms become more severe.
Some medications may contribute to sleepiness. These include some antipsychotics, antidepressants, antihistamines and of course sleeping pills.
Sleeping disorders unrelated to dementia, such as having breathing that occasionally stops during sleep (known as ‘apnoea’), can also contribute to sleeping for longer.
What should I do if a person with dementia is sleeping a lot?
If the person is in the later stages of dementia and they have gradually started sleeping more and more, it is likely to be due to the dementia progressing.
However, if the excessive sleeping has started more suddenly, or the person doesn’t seem well in other ways, it may have another cause.
If this is the case you should speak to the GP, to rule out any infections or conditions that could be affecting the person's sleep. It may also be worth asking for a medication review with the GP or speaking to a pharmacist as medication can cause a range of side effects.
Providing the person doesn’t appear to be uncomfortable or distressed, then sleeping more during the day isn’t normally a reason to be worried.
However, if a person is lying down in bed and asleep for most of the time they will need to be looked after to make sure they don’t develop any physical health problems. This sort of care is normally done by a health or social care professional in a care home or hospice. If the person is still living at home though, then it’s important to get advice from your GP or nurse on how best to do this.
Why does dementia affect sleep?
Problems with sleep are very common for people with dementia. They can include:
- sleeping during the day and being awake and restless during the night
- becoming disorientated in the dark if they wake up to use the toilet
- waking up more often and staying awake longer during the night
- getting up in the early hours and thinking it’s day time or time to go to work (disorientation in time)
- not being able to tell the difference between night and day.
Nobody completely understands why dementia affects sleeping patterns. For some people, it may be that their internal ‘biological clock’, which judges what time it is, becomes damaged so the person starts to feel sleepy at the wrong time of day.
There are also other parts of the brain which control whether or not we stay awake, and these may also not work properly if they become damaged.
Sometimes a person with dementia might completely reverse their normal sleep pattern, staying up all night and then sleeping all day.
![Sleep and dementia](/sites/default/files/styles/image_auto_height_default/public/media/images/image/2019-03/bed%20sleep.jpg?itok=qa8N8KFI)
It's common for people with dementia, especially in the later stages, to spend a lot of their time sleeping
Does quality of sleep matter for people with dementia?
The quality of a person's sleep gradually deteriorates as they get older. They tend to get less deep or ‘slow-wave’ sleep, which helps to keep the brain healthy and refreshed.
Even though a person with dementia may end up sleeping more than a typical person of their age – even as much as 14–15 hours a day – it is unlikely to all be good quality sleep.
Sleeping a lot can also be influenced by people’s sleeping patterns before they had dementia, as some people need more sleep than others.
Sleep for people who have dementia with Lewy bodies and Parkinson’s disease
The type of dementia you have can affect your sleep.
People who have dementia caused by Lewy body disease, such as Parkinsons’ disease (PD) or dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) are often sleepy by day but have very restless and disturbed nights. They can suffer from confusion, nightmares and hallucinations. Insomnia, sleep apnoea (breathing difficulties) and restless legs are common symptoms.
A person affected with these types of dementia may often unknowingly ‘act’ out their dreams by shouting and moving around in bed.
They can even cause injury to themselves and/or their sleeping partner. This is called rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behaviour disorder or RBD, and tends to happen from the earliest stages of the disease onwards.
This can be exhausting and often leaves the person feeling like they haven’t slept at all, so they are very tired and sleepy during the day.
It can be hard to stay awake during the day after a poor night’s sleep but, if possible, it’s best to try to limit sleep during the day to small bursts or ‘catnaps’. Otherwise the person’s body clock can become very confused and this makes sleeping well during the night even harder.
Read more about sleep and dementia
Learn more about how dementia can affect sleeping patterns, as well as our tips for healthy sleep.
This article was first published in 2019. It was most recently updated on 29 January 2024.
Ken
saysMy wife started with Alzheimer’s around 4 years ago
Very slowly at first hardly noticed The last year she has deteriorated quickly. Sleeping is now becoming a problem we go to bed quite early and watch tele how ever she goes to sleep early and most mornings she will awake at 1 2 3 4 or 5 in the morning will not go back to bed
During this time it is obvious that she is still tired resulting in want to go to bed at six in the evening and falling asleep very quickly now we are totally nocturnal
This can be very hard for me COPD stage four using oxygen
Don’t know what to do anymore
Ken
Audrey Kelley.
saysIt was impossible for me to believe the diagnosis: my husband - a Ph.d Nuclear Physicist and author - was, at age 85, suffering from Alzheimer's Disease! During the ten years since that fateful day, I have observed, with great sadness, the downward spiral of his thinking process, plus physical symptoms....like incontinence , walking difficulty, and garbled speech. Long-Term-Care insurance and helpful caregivers have enabled us to keep him at home.....for which I am very, very grateful.
,
Audrey Kelley
saysMy dear husband (a brilliant nuclear physicist) was diagnosed with the dreaded Alzheimer's eight years ago. By paying caregivers $22 an hour -- mostly reimbursed by Long-Term-Care insurance - - I have been able to keep him at home. At 95, he now sleeps most of the time, is incontinent, and unable to speak coherently. .I never leave his side. We have adjustable beds and TV, and a friendly doctor who makes house calls. I thank God he is still with me.
Sharon
saysCame across this group and very glad. My dad is in a.n upscale assisted living. He’s 89 and quite ill, dialysis, heart condition etc. he hasn’t been the same since surgery in Nov and doesn’t sleep all night.
Literally up all night and naps by day. He’s petrified comes late afternoon and I should mention he’s legally blind which makes matters worse,
Very quick onset dementia and we had to hire aides all night long.
If left unattended he gets very agitated and calls me all night long.
He’s falling and beginning to get nasty and confused, doe st know where he is most of the time.
I’ don’t think this assisted living is trained with this illness and considering moving him to a memory care facility.
I’m getting so depressed, it’s so difficult coping with this and so unsure of what is best for him,
Thanks everyone for your support!
ELIZABETH R. HOUNSEL
saysI have a mother who is beginning to show signs of dementia. So I found this website! What a balm to find so many people who are concerned about their family member who is struggling at the end of life. I have read so many stories and feel for each one of you. My mother is not half as affected as many of your loved ones are, nevertheless, all your trials are very educational for me. My heart is heavy for each of you and I wish there were a way we could help each other day-to-day, sharing the load as in a facility, but rather as family. I will at least send up my humble prayers for those sharing their story. Love to all.
Shona Malone
saysI look after my elderly aunt 88 with vascular dementia assisted by carers as I still work full time. Due to sleeping most of the day I am getting into problems with her getting dehydrated up until a few months ago she would get up in afternoon and make tea. She still can make tea but won’t get out of bed. Tried leaving water, flask with tea cup of tea holds the heat but not successful. Any ideas what I can do.
katherine Smith
saysMy husband also sleeps a lot he is 90 years old I am 75. he wakes up confused and wanting to go home even though he is at his house' he insists that I take him home and calls me a liar when I tell him that he is already home this happens several times a day also I can not get him to lie straight in the bed and he complains about neck problems does any one know a way to accomplish this I am not strong enough to pick him up I have health problems of my own
Hello Katherine, thank you for getting in touch.
We're really sorry to hear about the difficulties you're currently facing. Our blog article on what to say to someone who asks to go home might have some helpful advice: https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/blog/i-want-go-home-what-to-say-to-someon…
In the meantime, if you would like to speak with one of our dementia advisers on the phone, they're available seven days a week to give you the support you need. Please call 0333 150 3456. You can find opening hours here: https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/dementiaconnect
Wishing you all the best, Katherine.
-
Alzheimer's Society blog team
Fiona J Thomas
saysHas anyone tried any alternative supplements ? My dad is 76 with mixed dementia and the disease is working so quick through his body . In november he could walk with z frame now in less than 3 months he is in a wheel chair with maximum care.
F x
Susan
saysThank you to everyone who is posting and responding! It helps to know one is not alone!
FYI: my 86 year old mother has mid-stage dementia but also a lot of other health issues (COPD / bronchiectasis, thyroid, atrial fib., etc.) and is completely exhausted all the time. She states "all I want to do is go back to bed" all day long. She sleeps through the night and normally sleeps about 16 out of 24 hours if not more.
Beverly Marking
saysMy husband is 82 years old, has diabetes, on 2 different insulins, and has 6 stents in his heart. The past few years he sleeps all day everyday and I do not know what to do. I have asked our Primary Dr. and he has no answers for me about his constant sleeping. Is there anyone who is a specialist in dementia with older people sleeping all day everyday and is always tired. He only gets up if he may be hungry.
I would appreciate help why my husband is constantly sleeping during the day and all night too
Gilbert Vaughn
saysSorry, I just noticed your note. I think that anyone who faces possible dementia or Alzheimer’s, and is followed by a G P should ask to see a Neurologist to confirm the diagnosis There is at this time no known cure for Alzheimer’s but there is medication that can try to slow its effects. I’m a ER CCU nurse I also give respite care to my neighbors who have loved ones that they are trying to keep at home
Clare
saysMy mother has vascular dementia she is 84 and in a nursing home . She can’t walk and is double incontinant she eats very little and struggles to swallow . She sleeps most of the day and night and talks very little . Is she at the end of her life ?
Vanessa
saysHello
My Mother has mid stage dementia we think,
Since Christmas she has had no energy, not wanting to eat or drink, she is either asleep on the couch or in bed, she has had a UTI and chest infection which she has had antibiotics (now Finished), she went to hospital all her vitals and bloods were ok, they have suggested that she is depressed or her dementia has got worse, she has mixed dementia and Alzheimer, she currently lives on her own with carers going in twice a day.
we are at a loss what to do with her, i have asked what we can do to help she says i just want to sleep. i cant keep my eyes open my head hurts
any advice or help would really be appreciated.
Alzheimer's Society
saysHi Vanessa, I'm sorry to hear about your Mother. We'd be happy to offer you advice on this.
If you call our Support Line one of our advisers will be able to help.
Our Support Line is open Monday to Wednesday (9am-8pm), Thursday to Friday (9am–5pm) and Saturday to Sunday (10am-4pm), and can be reached on 0300 222 11 22.
Thank you
Carol Oates
saysHi I've been diagnosed with vascular dementia and alzermers last March, I'm in very early stages but I'm so tired my eyes are very heavy, my legs drive me mad I do try to keep going but it's hard I look after my husband who is paralized I'm 66 with two beautiful daughters who are there for us and have such loving five grand children, I'm on medication and in April they are going to increase the tablet, I feel for all those who have to go though this and will do anything to slow it down xxx
Linda Penhollow
saysReading all these comments helps put my mind at ease. My husband is 83 with dementia and late stages of lymphoma. He has started sleeping a lot. He’s not eating or drinking and is exhausted and paranoid when awake. I feel better now knowing I’m not ignoring him
Sandra
saysMy mom is 93 and had hip surgery 6 months ago after she fell and broke her hip. I always knew that dementia was kicking in a few years before but since the surgery she is 100% worse. Her mind comes and goes and she has started sleeping a lot. As much as 12 hrs during the day and sleeps from 6 pm to 6am in the night. I heard that when they start to sleep so much the possibility of death is increasing. Honestly I would hate for my mom to die but when I look at her now she is only a shell of who she used to be. No quality of life.
Heather
saysMy husband has has mixed type dementia and perhaps Alzheimers now for 5 years. He is becoming progressively worse, does not cooperate with personal hygiene, sleeps more extensively and is always angry and arguing with me. He is confused where he lives and is beginning to mix up our family identities. He shuffles and has lost muscle matter. We are afraid of a fall. I don't want to put him in a nursing home but when is it no longer safe to keep him at home. I am 76 years old and have been battling colon cancer with mets to the liver for 7 years now and feel the stress is becoming too much for me. What to do?
Alzheimer's Society
saysHi Heather, I'm very sorry to hear about your husband. If you call our Support Line one of our advisers will be able to help.
Our Support Line is open Monday to Wednesday (9am-8pm), Thursday to Friday (9am–5pm) and Saturday to Sunday (10am-4pm), and can be reached on 0300 222 11 22.
Thank you