How important is it for an elderly person to have a daily schedule?

The National Sleep Foundation as well as other research indicates that having a healthy "sleep-wake cycle" is important for everyone. Research also shows that sleeping too much is just as bad as getting too little sleep. What time is your mom going to sleep? If she's getting a good amount of sleep waking up at 8:30 but sleeping until 10 am it may be a sign of depression.

Your profile says that your mother has general age-related decline. Does she socialize with people her own age? Does she attend a senior center? Would getting her up at 8:30 am enable her to participate in activities?

I thought about trying to control my mother's schedule. It would be like herding cats.

It really depends on the circumstances. If the caregiver has a job or if the elder is in AL or a NH, then following a schedule is very helpful. Otherwise it is not so important. It's not like there is anywhere to be if both care receiver and giver are at home. I think it is okay to let elders control their own schedules as much as possible.

Something to consider, most older people are on medications of some kind and they need to be administered on a reasonably reliable schedule.

Correction. Should say try NOT to stress about it.

Are you caring for her in your home? If so, then it's really what works for your situation, however, I think I might try to let her have as much say as possible as to when she gets up. Seniors lose so much control. As long as it isn't hurting anything, then I'd try to let her be the one to decide when she gets up. I'd try to work around her schedule. I mean, if she doesn't have anyway to be at a certain time, I would try to stress about it.

Why do you think she feels better getting up earlier? As long as she's competent, I'd let her make that decision.