My 89-year-old Dad with dementia is sleeping 18+ hours each day. Is this normal?

Thanks for your responses - The folks live in a CCRC, and Mom can get home care as needed, but only when she is ready. We've talked about it - and she's not there yet.

kterliz, yes sleeping that much is normal for someone your Dad's age, especially if he has memory loss. One has to remember living into one's 80's and 90's they are going to be tired, they lived a very long life. The need to rest now.

My parents, who were in their 90's, use to brag that they only needed 6 hours of sleep... they forgot to add the time spent napping after breakfast.... napping after lunch.... napping before dinner.... napping after dinner.

I agree with cmagnum above, your Dad's situation is likely too much for your Mom to handle alone. Can your parents budget for a professional caregiver to come in to give your Mom some help?

Please note, and this is serious, that 40% of caregivers die leaving behind the love one they were caring. And that percentage goes up if the caregiver is elderly themselves.

My dad is 92, has Alzheimer's and basically sleeps and gets up for meals. He has 3 caregivers who work in 8 hour shifts. This is his new normal. 

Your dad's situation is likely just too much for your mother to handle alone. He may need to be in a memory care unit. 

What has his doctor said about him lately? Does his doctor know that he is sleeping this much? Has his doctor diagnosed what stage his dementia is?