How much sleep time is too much for an 87-year-old living in home with housekeeper?

So I am concluding from all of your comments that it is normal after 80yrs of age for sleep time to be on the increase. And that soon I will have to do the shopping for her. Right now, she is barely able to go to the store & present a credit card for payment. But it means so very much to her. And at times, she falls asleep on the bus missing her stop. Her physician is attached to one of the best medical schools in the country. However, it is very hard to communicate. There is no time to explain all these things. One has to wait two weeks just to speak to a nurse... Thanks!

Quality sleep is a blessing for you and her but don't get to used to it because it can change all at once
Johnny T

My mother is almost 89 and she goes to bed usually at 9 pm, wakes around 8 or 9, eats a good breakfast, and returns to be from about 10-12 or 1. She has no other real problems, except for regular old age complaints. Therefore, I have not let the napping concern me. She has a good quality of life when she is awake (she lives with me and functions mostly indepently within my household). Since her quality of awake time is good, I figure that the napping is okay. (She has always been a "napper"--this may be a factor to consider in your case.)

I am caring for my 97 yr old Aunt. I have been a bit concerned with the amount of time she spends napping during the daytime. She goes to bed between 8:00PM and 10:PM depending on the TV show she wants to see, and sleeps till 7 or 8 AM. so she gets plenty of sleep at night. But she takes a 1 1/2 to 2 hr nap after breakfast, and another after lunch. I have been trying to locate information to see if this was normal for her age. She only takes two medications but she had double hip replacement in Jan, plus a broken femur surgery (as a result of the hip replacement) She has recovered well and is able to walk slowly using a walker. She takes care of all her personal care and only needs a bit of help in showering. So you can see she is quite independent. This napping is my only concern.

My mother is also 87 and frequently sleeps off and on throughout the day and night. Sometimes I think about waking her like you might do for a small child who is napping during the day and awake at night. Then I remember this is an entirely different situation. Daytime sleep seems out of place in the normal course of events, but in this case it might be entirely appropriate.

Interesting comment, Catjohn22, about dreaming possibly being a transition time. My mother also makes comments about her dreams, and then catches herself. I find it hopeful that the dreams aren't frightening. :)

I agree with the first two responses posted. My mother-in-law is 92 and has progressed over the past 18 months, from sleeping about 12 hours a day to sleeping at least 14-18 hours a day. At times, like mid-to-late afternoon, she will be up and down wandering between the livingroom sofa and her bedroom, but other times she sleeps very soundly and seems comfortable. She takes minimal medication, nothing that is knocking her out. I view this as a transition time, and although there is no evidence I can provide for my beliefs, other than things she says at times in her sleep, or comments she makes while awake that I think may have something to do with her dreams or whatever she is experiencing in her sleep.

I agree with Poppie....let her sleep. As long as it's not caused by too much medication or something physically wrong, let her sleep as long as she wants. The alternative is not something you want to experience. There are some who would give a years pay to be able to sleep through the night......count your blessings while you can!

At the age of 87 years old, there's no such thing as too much sleep. She is still able to get out and take care of a few things, what a blessing! If she was wakeful all night long, then you would have a problem. Be grateful!!