A condition that came to my mind is that of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). OSA is a potentially serious sleep disorder. It causes breathing to repeatedly stop and start during sleep. There are several types of sleep apnea, but the most common is obstructive sleep apnea. This type of apnea occurs when your throat muscles intermittently relax and block your airway during sleep. A noticeable sign of obstructive sleep apnea is snoring. Persons with obstructive sleep apnea may also up sleeping more in the daytime as a result of daytime sleepiness.
Another diagnosis is that of dementia, where the individual has reversal of sleep wake cycle, in that he or she will sleep in the daytime and stay awake at night. Many seniors with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia experience a wide array of sleep problems, especially in the later stages of the disease. As the brain deteriorates, issues arise with circadian rhythms and temporal awareness, making it difficult for dementia patients to sleep through the night and keep a normal schedule. The Alzheimer’s Association recommends planning engaging activities during the daytime, scheduling brief naps as needed during the day and sticking to a set sleep schedule as the best nonpharmaceutical methods for encouraging good sleep habits. A solid routine can be very effective in helping a loved one stay oriented and managing dementia behaviors.
The third condition is that of insomnia, that is poor sleep at night. Napping in the daytime can make the insomnia problem worse and it is best to limit the duration of the nap to less than 20 minutes and to nap in the early afternoon. have shown that older people spend the most time in bed but get the lowest quality of sleep. According to the study, sleep quality starts to get worse in middle-aged adults. As we age, we experience less time in the deeper types of sleep, and wake up more in the middle of the night.
The fourth possibility is that of depression. Many elders become sad and lose interest in life. It has been estimated 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. Sleep issues and fatigue can often indicate that a loved one is suffering from a mental health disorder.
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. Atypical (second generation) antipsychotics are notoriously hard on most elderly patients as well, especially those with dementia.
Hence it will good to seek medical attention for an elderly person who sleeps more in the daytime.
