How much sleep do the elderly really need?

Wow this sounds just like my father-in-law. He lives with us for 4 yrs now and same thing everyday ,I've ask him if he would like some books to read,puzzles,something to exercise his mind and all he wants to do is watch TV and nap all day long.He has no hobbies at all,it's his life and I figure if that"s what he likes to do all day go for it I'm tired of trying to get him up and out of the house.I just know I could never do that.Good luck with your dad.

That sounds like my mother she sleep all day and is awake all night!

well, guess what! we all have the same problem! My dad is exactly the same way! I bring out photo albums, books with pictures, newspaper and that is all good for a short period of time. He will go in the car with me but won't go into any stores or the library unless its the bank...he loves getting $ out of the bank but never spends it, but it gets him moving. Won't go to social things, won't play games, dance, cross word puzzles but does watch Lawrence Welk once a week. He just gets stiffer and stiffer by the day.

So how do we get them out of bed to think and moving!!! So glad this was brought up!

Over the past couple of years, my father has also suffered from this sleepiness, which usually comes over him after breakfast in the morning and again in the afternoon. Sometimes he fights it, other times he naps. After a battery of tests, it was determined that his testosterone level is REALLY low. His doctor started him on a testosterone cream, but that wasn't enough. It wasn't until he was given a high-level or double-dosage of a testosterone shot that he finally "felt like himself again" (his words). Well, the effect wore off and, reluctantly, the doctor gave him another one. Again, same result. Since then, my father has requested a third shot, which the doctor now states he won't do, stating that it is unsafe. What to do?? I hope other readers of this question and our collective responses have input on the subject. Advice would be very much appreciated. (It's particular critical in my father's case since he is my full-time caregiver of my mother who is quite ill with Parkinson's Disease and Dystonia.) My thanks to you, nbwed1, for raising this question and to all who are responding.

When I asked a doctor about dad's sleeping all the time he suggested anti-depresants, we tryed them and they made dad light headed, and he fell a lot, so we discontiued. I never heard of testosterone shoots. is that like taking steroids? And if they give woman femal hormonds, why not give men male hormonds when they get older. This lack of interest in any activite is so fustrating. Sleep and food seam to be all that interest my father.
Are their any Doctors out there that have a helpful answer? We all sound Fustrated, and care giving is fustrating enough.

yes, we tried the anti depressant as well. Made no difference.

nbwed1
If I hear the word ANTI-DEPRESSANT again, I am gonna scream. My mother is the COMPLETE opposite. She never sleeps (average she sleeps is 3 hr/nite). If I am lucky once in a while she might take about hr nap doing day. My mother NEVER sits still but moments at a time. I have addressed this with the doctor and all he wants to give her is anti-depressants, they do nothing but make her disoriented and cry.The dr has refused to give her anything to help her sleep. OTC sleep aids don't help. Doctors don't care. In your case there might be an underlying problem. I personally had health issues that caused me to be slugish and tired all the time. I thought it was just stress taking care of mom. However, I was diagnosed with severe sleep apnea. I went on a CPAP machine at nite within a few days I felt so good. Before my diagnoses I was told by 2 drs that I was just depressed and needed Anit-depressants(boy was they wrong)Last year I had a operation to open my obstructed airway so at this time I no longer need CPAP machine at night. .If your father has good insurance and able to do so take him to a different doctor or two and DEMAND answers!!! good luck!!

I probably should have added (in my earlier post) that my father was also first put on anti-depressants and then night-time oxygen. Only the testosterone injections seem to help him feel better...and they, apparently, are dangerous to continue...

My mother was not a sleeper. She was up all day and unfortunately sometimes at night. Some of my grandma's (I call them all grandma because I never knew my grandma and it gives me pleasure and them likewise) sleep like that. I have noticed that the one's that do are on different types of medication, which could be the cause. The only medication my mom took was her eye drops, blood pressure pills and the Aricept. I think it is a good idea to check out the medications to make sure they are not causing drowsiness. It is important if you can to get them to move so they want become stiff.

Well, it's tough taking care of a parent, that's for sure. I got Dad signed up for adult day care for two days a week where he could socialize and do activities. They allowed him to take a nap but then would encourage him to get up. He didn't want anything to do with it and refused to go after a few times. He felt "trapped". He will go get the paper and mail but refuses to do much more. Funny thing though when we travel or do errands he won't sleep but will stay awake night and day! He's says he is afraid he is going to miss something. So you see, It is his choice to sleep. I can't make a 200 lb man do anything. He will tell me to "shut up" if I say something he doesn't like such as be sure to drink all your water so you don't get constipated again. Or I encourage excerise and he says that's "foolishness." So I do the best I can, what more can we do but encourage each other and use this site as a sounding board and continue to look for answers in others comments. You're all awesome and will be blessed.