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.

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!

I have purchased my father models, airplane magazines, anything he shows an interest in. He may open the magazine or box look it over and that is about it. He will put on his shoes and go out to get the newspaper, sometimes he reads it and other times he gives it to me. He loves watching Lawrence Welk on Sat nights....I have given up trying to keep him busy. It is frustrating! It's hard enough convincing him he needs a shower. Thank goodness for cologne and febreeze! I refuse to have my home smell like "old people" if you know what i mean.

I feel the same way you do I don't want my house to smell I use a lot of febreeze my mother smells bad. I bath her everyday and at night when its time for bed, I put on her PJ's and she has a bad bad smell i TRY HARD TO KEEP HER CLEAN i DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO!

It sounds like you need to hire someone to come in to bathe him. As I have written often, I bought a bidet which attaches to the toilet that has two warm water controls. One control sprays water on the front of the bottom and one sprays on the back . Whenever I hear my 98 year old mother go into the bathroom, I give her a couple minutes and then open the door and push one of the buttons. It helps to keep down the smell and helps to clean the area that you do not want to have to clean. I can';t praise that machine enough. Some have heated seats also. While she sits there, I use a washcloth and wash her while the bottom water sprays. By the time I finish, she is clean. It is better to sponge bathe old people if they have difficulty washing themselves. Check at Home Depot or a specialty bath store for the bidet. It might be a little pricey but it is well worth every penny!!

Well, I have the same problem with my dad, I am glad that I am not alone. I think it is just age, something we will have to put with. Thank you everyone for posting as this makes me feel I am not alone. I thought there was something wrong with him, but I don´t think so. Just old age. Some of your comments made me smile. Thanks.

My mother is 98. I am 66 and care for her in her home. She sleeps a lot. The possible reason that they are so lethargic is as my Mother's physical therapist explained: Movement creates energy, if you don't move you will not have energy as the body does not store it. At 98 her therapist said she could increase muscle. She has more strength since working with both an Occupational (upper body) and Physical Therapist (lower body). Both come to the house twice a week (total of 4 days). She moving better and faster. But the key is that movement creates energy. I read on another site they need a purpose, but finding it is the key. Have you ever had them sit on the toilet, don't take the diaper down and poop. Yuck!!!!

Tell him that you will stand around if he isn't going to take care of himself. It is tough love, but he needs it. You are just trying to take care of him and if you are going to you have to have certain expectations. Also, I don't let anyone tell me to shut up, especially if you are helping him. Tell him that the human body was made to do work and that actually we should never even sit down. This is tough, but maybe it will get him to get up. When something bad does happen to him, you are going to have to take care of him. Think that he is difficult now, what until he has a stroke or a heart attack. It happens from sitting or sleeping all the time! Be brave.

Tell him that you will stand around if he isn't going to take care of himself. It is tough love, but he needs it. You are just trying to take care of him and if you are going to you have to have certain expectations. Also, I don't let anyone tell me to shut up, especially if you are helping him. Tell him that the human body was made to do work and that actually we should never even sit down. This is tough, but maybe it will get him to get up. When something bad does happen to him, you are going to have to take care of him. Think that he is difficult now, what until he has a stroke or a heart attack. It happens from sitting or sleeping all the time! Be brave.

Thank you for sharing. I am so happy to know im not alone