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Q
Quinault Asked February 2015

Is twelve hours of sleep a night too much for a woman (94)?

My mother is ninety-four and in very good health. She takes no medications, walks without a can or walker, and participates in the exercise sessions at the assisted living facility where she has resided for over two years. She prides herself on her good health, and often states, "I go to bed at nine, and I get up at nine." I see no problem with this, but my sister, who lives several thousand miles away and has seen Mom only once in the past year-and-a half, thinks this is too much sleep, and believes Mom must have hypothyroidism. Her doctor, however, at her last check-up in June, found no symptoms of such, and did not prescribe medication. I've tried to find research on the subject, but could only find articles on insomnia in the elderly. Does anyone have any insight? Is twelve hours a night too much? Thank you!

ilovemom2 Mar 2015
She is doing great! Your sister's opinion from the cheap seats is rubbish. My siblings who were unsupportive in the care of my mom had the most opinions about every aspect of my mom's care. What time my mom should wake, when she should eat, who she should eat with, what she should eat, where she should eat and the list was endless throughout the day. Tune it out, you're doing a great job and she's lucky to have you!

thezookeeper Feb 2015
Common and I think rather normal for 10-12 hours of sleep per day at that age. How fortunate she is to be able to get all 12 hours in one stretch! As FreqFlyer said, it's routine for my mom to get 4-6 hrs per night when she doesn't have insomnia, and a few hours here and there each day as naps. Total at age 88 is right around 11 hours per day. Hope this helps convince sis mom's sleep habits are within the norm for healthy people in her age group.

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freqflyer Feb 2015
It's not unusual for someone your Mom's age to start sleeping like a teenager, 12 hours a night. When you think about it, living 9+ decades is a very long time, anyone would be tired. Apparently it's not hurt her health, why change the pattern.

My parents [mid 90's] get a lot of sleep if you add up not only their night time sleep, but nap after breakfast, nap before lunch, nap after lunch, nap before dinner, nap after dinner.

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