My 92 year old dad now sleeps around 12 hours per night. He also naps in his chair. He has had a couple of incidents of confusion.

He is tired, at his age, he has earned the right to sleep whenever he wants to. That is what people his age do, my mother is 94, she sleeps a lot too.

Yes, people often become very tired in old age. To make certain, of course, you can have the doc do a urinalysis and blood panel. But honestly, at this age what would you do about anything other than a simple infection. Allow him to sleep. And at his age, yes, a show may drop. You are right. But you know that.

My 98 year old husband sleeps all night and long naps day time. He often wakes up from naps confused. His doctor said its not uncommon in someone his age. Eventually gets "with it."

My 90 + Mom sleeps through the night, usually - or is restless but stays in her recliner (where she also sleeps) and naps off and on - but the 2-5 or 3-6 pm nap, that one gets her waking confused, thinking it's morning. It can take an hour or more to help her get back in sync with the time of day. We got the giant clock that says evening, pm, etc. but she doesn't look at it until I tell her to and she glosses over that. Calendar on her tray, gets covered. I remind her of the day, what we did, clothing changes .. repeatedly, poor thing can't recall it all. We laugh it off, she dislikes it but forgets till next time...

It's the "uncharacteristic" bit that's the key. If this amount of sleep is unusual for your father, and he's - shall we say - not been himself on a couple of specific occasions, you might be right about the other shoe and it would be worth getting him checked out. There are simple tests which will show whether there has been any kind of medical event, which could also be a heads-up in case a bigger one is on the way.

How is your father in himself? If he's got to 92, he's happy, and he's not concerned, it's still worth checking but you won't want to go overboard on investigations and treatment. You want an experienced doctor with a good sense of proportion handling this.

My mom is 91 and gets confused sometimes but not too often. She also sleeps about 12hrs. per day and naps as well.

My Dad sleeps from 7 pm until 6 am each night, has several naps each day as well as reading in bed. He can do one activity that takes him out of the house in a day, but only 4 in a week. Dad is 90.

We are not worried about Dad. He is just tired.

How long since Dad has been to his doctor for a physical? He may have a urinary tract infection which could cause confusion. The doctor needs to do a complete physical including blood tests and maybe even testing for dementia. There are meds that can help. Dad may also need something to occupy him and keep him awake. What about a senior center? He may just be bored and sleep is an escape for him.