An empty bed in darkness

Is it typical for people with dementia to sleep a lot during the day?

People with dementia, especially those in the later stages, can often spend a lot of time sleeping. This can sometimes be worrying for carers, friends and family. Find out why a person with dementia might sleep more than an average person of their age.

It is quite common for a person with dementia, especially in the later stages, to spend a lot of their time sleeping – both during the day and night. This can sometimes be distressing for the person’s family and friends, as they may worry that something is wrong. 

Sleeping more and more is a common feature of later-stage dementia. As the disease progresses, the damage to a person’s brain becomes more extensive and they gradually become weaker and frailer over time.

As a result, a person with dementia may find it quite exhausting to do relatively simple tasks like communicating, eating or trying to understand what is going on around them. This can make the person sleep more during the day as their symptoms become more severe. 

Some medications may contribute to sleepiness. These include some antipsychotics, antidepressants, antihistamines and of course sleeping pills.

Sleeping disorders unrelated to dementia, such as having breathing that occasionally stops during sleep (known as ‘apnoea’), can also contribute to sleeping for longer. 

What should I do if a person with dementia is sleeping a lot? 

If the person is in the later stages of dementia and they have gradually started sleeping more and more, it is likely to be due to the dementia progressing.  

However, if the excessive sleeping has started more suddenly, or the person doesn’t seem well in other ways, it may have another cause.  

If this is the case you should speak to the GP, to rule out any infections or conditions that could be affecting the person's sleep. It may also be worth asking for a medication review with the GP or speaking to a pharmacist as medication can cause a range of side effects. 

Providing the person doesn’t appear to be uncomfortable or distressed, then sleeping more during the day isn’t normally a reason to be worried.

However, if a person is lying down in bed and asleep for most of the time they will need to be looked after to make sure they don’t develop any physical health problems. This sort of care is normally done by a health or social care professional in a care home or hospice. If the person is still living at home though, then it’s important to get advice from your GP or nurse on how best to do this.

Why does dementia affect sleep? 

Problems with sleep are very common for people with dementia. They can include: 

  • sleeping during the day and being awake and restless during the night 
  • becoming disorientated in the dark if they wake up to use the toilet 
  • waking up more often and staying awake longer during the night 
  • getting up in the early hours and thinking it’s day time or time to go to work (disorientation in time) 
  • not being able to tell the difference between night and day. 

Nobody completely understands why dementia affects sleeping patterns. For some people, it may be that their internal ‘biological clock’, which judges what time it is, becomes damaged so the person starts to feel sleepy at the wrong time of day.

There are also other parts of the brain which control whether or not we stay awake, and these may also not work properly if they become damaged.  

Sometimes a person with dementia might completely reverse their normal sleep pattern, staying up all night and then sleeping all day. 

Sleep and dementia

It's common for people with dementia, especially in the later stages, to spend a lot of their time sleeping

Does quality of sleep matter for people with dementia? 

The quality of a person's sleep gradually deteriorates as they get older. They tend to get less deep or ‘slow-wave’ sleep, which helps to keep the brain healthy and refreshed. 

Even though a person with dementia may end up sleeping more than a typical person of their age – even as much as 14–15 hours a day – it is unlikely to all be good quality sleep. 

Sleeping a lot can also be influenced by people’s sleeping patterns before they had dementia, as some people need more sleep than others. 

Sleep for people who have dementia with Lewy bodies and Parkinson’s disease 

The type of dementia you have can affect your sleep.

People who have dementia caused by Lewy body disease, such as Parkinsons’ disease (PD) or dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) are often sleepy by day but have very restless and disturbed nights. They can suffer from confusion, nightmares and hallucinations. Insomnia, sleep apnoea (breathing difficulties) and restless legs are common symptoms. 

A person affected with these types of dementia may often unknowingly ‘act’ out their dreams by shouting and moving around in bed.

They can even cause injury to themselves and/or their sleeping partner. This is called rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behaviour disorder or RBD, and tends to happen from the earliest stages of the disease onwards.

This can be exhausting and often leaves the person feeling like they haven’t slept at all, so they are very tired and sleepy during the day.

It can be hard to stay awake during the day after a poor night’s sleep but, if possible, it’s best to try to limit sleep during the day to small bursts or ‘catnaps’. Otherwise the person’s body clock can become very confused and this makes sleeping well during the night even harder.

Read more about sleep and dementia

Learn more about how dementia can affect sleeping patterns, as well as our tips for healthy sleep.

Sleep and dementia

This article was first published in 2019. It was most recently updated on 29 January 2024.

755 comments

My mother in law is 72. With vascular dementia. She is middle stage we think as her daily routine is needing assistance, being bathed, sitting down, eating. We are learning by reading a lot as my father in law is her primary care giver. We have had an increase of her dosing off during the day and not sleeping at all through the night, not a wink. Does anyone have any suggestions to assist her with getting to sleep? We tried sleeping pills from the doctor but that did not work, we let her spend a little time in the sun every say. We changed her eating routine too see if that would help but so far nothing has helped. My poor father in law is exhaued during the day. We are looking into night nurse for home care but in South Africa can be pricey. Anyone with some tips for us to try I would be very grateful.
My mom has Parkinson’s dementia, adding donepizil 10mg to her nighttime parkinsons meds has completely changed her sleep issues. When she arrived at my home, same thing slept all day and up all night, we had to hire care nurses. Now using this medicine for the last six months and a normal routine she sleeps almost completely through the night, and may get up once to use the restroom. It’s improved so much we were able to let go of the night nurses a few nights a week. This medicine also helps a ton with memory.
My mother has Alzheimer’s, is 91 and got worse after a fall and broken femur and pelvis. She’s in a nursing home but not in my state. She’s too bad to move at this point but my cousin and some friends assure me she’s well-cared for. I’m not well myself at 75 physyso I can’t visit much. How do the nurses and dr decide when it’s time for moving to a hospice?
My mother is 94 I feel so helpless she sleeps most of the day and knoting off constantly, I'd like to know if this is normal for dementia and how can I help her if needed
From everything we’ve been told it is very normal as the dementia progresses for them to experience bouts of extreme fatigue. My mom describes it as “feeling drugged, mentally unclear, and barely able to keep her eyes open” short naps and a strict daytime reoutine of breakfast/excercises/nap has helped her routine be more stable and her sleep at night improve
My Nana is 93, has dementia, not sure the stage. My 3 year old and I moved in last year into her house. She has lived along for 25 years since Papa passed. My uncle and aunt used to bring her groceries once a week. But since moving in she has become completely dependent on me. She is completely unmotivated to do anything. Turned incontinence nearly a few months after we moved in. She needs a walker and has been using one since I suggested it. but she won’t ever get up to use the bathroom or anything g on her own and has to be prompted to do anything. She is very hunchback. Still has a good appetite however says she is never hungry. I am so fortunate that she let us move in when we needed her help and I am so thankful it was just in time for her sake too. However I feel that by me taking care of her she lost independence and is totally reliant on me. Was just listening to a voice mail she left me from last year and it’s such a huge difference. She barely talks but one thing is she does reads my daughter books whenever we ask, even continues if we are not in the room anymore. It’s been difficult in the beginning to wrap my head around the disease. Any advice? Or stories of their memory getting better? I have palliative care and they did an assessment and memory test.
Since no one was living with her before you moved in its probably hard to tell if things just suddenly got worse or if they were already bad. My mom is the same age and my brother moved in with her eight years ago, and has done an amazing job caring for her. She has declined recently and it seems more rapid. What worked for my mom was keeping a schedule, and having a routine. Sundowners is scary so try to have her home in the evenings. Start singing songs, happy upbeat and repetitive, even the ones you would sing to your daugher. Having her reading with your daughter is fantastic. Keep her moving and exercising, like helping with folding the laundry. Maybe your daughter can fold sheets and towels with her. We notice my moms more alert and participates more when she exercises. She may even qualify for physical therapy. Unfortunately her memory will not get better but you will have some better days than others. She may seem more alert and aware one day and then be completely off the next, just enjoy the good times! Remind her that she is safe, could you imagine waking up and not knowing where you are every day, all day, thats scary. We tell my mom " Your safe and sound. Your in the right place, doing the right thing at the right time" this seems to help. Put a post it not on the dashboard in the car to remind her where you are going, " we are going to buy milk" etc Hope this helps, your doing a great job!
I think decline can happen that fast. My mom in less than a month can no longer form sentences. I think different for everyone. I think she is so blessed to have you. I think more the timing of disease and less on depending on you. This is hard for them and their caretakers. Google stages of dementia or Alzheimer’s. That has helped me. I also found a free hotline I could call with questions. Best wishes I know how hard this is.
My mom is 91 years old. She has Dementia. Not sure the stage but probably at the mid-late stage. She started sleeping alot during the night (15 Hours) and during the day. I an only see her eyes open for few moments when I ask her to open her eyes. Otherwise she has them closed all the times. Whether that is active or inactive sleeping not sure. I am very concerned what I need to do and what is causing this. I know she has sleep apnea and she uses CPAP. Sometimes the CPAP leaks air and she probably not getting quality sleep. I am in process of getting a better mask for her. However, this situation of her sleeping all day has started recently and it concerns me. I appreciate any advise anyone has
My husband is 79, sleeps 14to16 hour a day. Dr checked meds and said the ones he is taking should not cause this. It is worrying me. 😟
My mum had oesophagus cancer in 2020 at the age of 83 she went through 7 weeks of radio and 6 rounds of chemo it was a very hard on her as she was also on a feeding tube for three months, my daughter and I moved in with her for three months and during her chemo she started having memory problems which at first we put down to the chemo, a few months later she was cancer free but was diagnosed with dementia and Alzheimer's in 2021 she went from mild to moderate within a year and luckily she has myself and my sister that care for her so she can stay in her own home, but three years on she now has a problem when she eats so she is just on Ensure plus and drinks, we have had to stop her two dementia tablets because she chokes on them and just has her statin which is tiny and she still has problems, when she gets up in the morning at 8am she sits in her chair and sleeps until my sister comes for an hour and then she sleeps until she comes again at lunchtime, I go once a week as I live quite a distance and then I stay with her or she stays with me for a week every 6 weeks to give my sister a break and also give my mum a change, she is with me at present and she just seems so tired, she isn't getting up until 9.30am and then she goes back to bed at 11am for a couple of hours and then she gets up and goes back to sleep on the sofa or asks if it's okay if she can go back to bed, and in the evenings she goes to sleep around 8pm and sleeps right through the night without waking. At her home we have CCTV so we can make sure she is okay and also to observe her routine. But what does the sleeping mean, when she is home she literally sleeps all day, she loves the soap's and she watches those and then she knows it's time for bed when they finish, but having her with me I'm really worried with how much time she is sleeping in bed, it's something she has never done, she has never gone back to bed, she goes sleep in her chair all day at home but never in bed. Also the medication she was put on donepezil and mematine really did no good for her, they never slowed it down as she has been off them for about 6 weeks and when she is not sleeping her memory is better, when she was on them her memory was a 5 minute window, but at the moment she seems to be able what happened the day before and things that she didn't remember when on the tablets. She is a very happy person and her personality has stayed the same but her interests in everything she use to love has gone. It's such a sad disease.
My Mum's nursing home crushes her meds if ok and puts them in jelly, in a small cup and Mum doesn't choke taking her meds anymore. I am so happy to share this tip..it made a big difference for Mum. 🫶
What is the main way to know when a person is entering the late stage of deminia?
My mum had oesophagus cancer in 2020 at the age of 83 she went through 7 weeks of radio and 6 rounds of chemo it was a very hard on her as she was also on a feeding tube for three months, my daughter and I moved in with her for three months and during her chemo she started having memory problems which at first we put down to the chemo, a few months later she was cancer free but was diagnosed with dementia and Alzheimer's in 2021 she went from mild to moderate within a year and luckily she has myself and my sister that care for her so she can stay in her own home, but three years on she now has a problem when she eats so she is just on Ensure plus and drinks, we have had to stop her two dementia tablets because she chokes on them and just has her statin which is tiny and she still has problems, when she gets up in the morning at 8am she sits in her chair and sleeps until my sister comes for an hour and then she sleeps until she comes again at lunchtime, I go once a week as I live quite a distance and then I stay with her or she stays with me for a week every 6 weeks to give my sister a break and also give my mum a change, she is with me at present and she just seems so tired, she isn't getting up until 9.30am and then she goes back to bed at 11am for a couple of hours and then she gets up and goes back to sleep on the sofa or asks if it's okay if she can go back to bed, and in the evenings she goes to sleep around 8pm and sleeps right through the night without waking. At her home we have CCTV so we can make sure she is okay and also to observe her routine. But what does the sleeping mean, when she is home she literally sleeps all day, she loves the soap's and she watches those and then she knows it's time for bed when they finish, but having her with me I'm really worried with how much time she is sleeping in bed, it's something she has never done, she has never gone back to bed, she goes sleep in her chair all day at home but never in bed. Also the medication she was put on donepezil and mematine really did no good for her, they never slowed it down as she has been off them for about 6 weeks and when she is not sleeping her memory is better, when she was on them her memory was a 5 minute window, but at the moment she seems to be able what happened the day before and things that she didn't remember when on the tablets. She is a very happy person and her personality has stayed the same but her interests in everything she use to love has gone. It's such a sad disease.
My mom sleeps a lot day and night. And she eats less now. I'm worried she might develop bedsores. She has dementia but we haven't seen a doctor for diagnosis.
You should get diagnosed as then can get on right medication to help reduce process.. memantine , melatonin and mirtzapine
My mum sleeps constantly, she gets up around 8am gets to her chair and she is asleep within half an hour of getting up and naps throughout the day, when she goes to bed at around 8.30pm she sleeps right through until the morning she also now doesn't eat, she is on Ensure plus and drinks and her interest in everything she loved has gone. She has become very frail. But she still lives in her own home with the help of my sister and I and she can wash and dress herself but other than that, that is all. She still has good communication and the meds she was on donepezil and mematine were useless, we have taken her off them as she chokes on them as they are do big, she was on them for two years and she has gone from mild to the latter stages. It's a very sad disease but she is lucky to have a loving family, we don't use carers and have cameras in her home so we can make sure she is okay.
My mom is going threw the same thing, but her doctor say it normal. She is healthy like ox so I guess it’s just the process of the dementia. She 84 eat very little at the a time and gets full quickly. She can still go to the bathroom on her own but limit that to drinking less, especially at night. I getting her in home therapy now to help with the arthritis and her feeling fatigue.
If y ou put a pillow under each side of her hips , I tuck the pillows under the mattress She sleeps in a hospital bed. it may help prevent sores, I do this with my mom , so far cross my fingers the ones she got in the hospital are healed and she doesnt have any right now, and hasn't for six months now.
Hi, my mother was just diagnosed with moderate dementia and she does not sleep at night she's afraid to sleep at night I have occasionally spent the night. but I'm uncertain what to do to make her comfortable in her apartment, any suggestions?
Melatonin worked wonders in helping my mother develope a regular sleeping pattern. In addition her medical prescribed Trazadone to help her rest while in the hospital because Melatonin is considered to be a supplement and not FDA approved so the hospital was unable to give her the Melatonin as a inpatient.
My mom has been diagnosed with vascular dementia after a c.t scan was performed. She has to go in for a memory test. What I want to know is will the doctor tell us at what stage mom is at . Tia xx
It sounds like she is at early stages … the memory test people will be able to tell you. You will kind of know …. I’m now at late stages with my dad …. Incontinence, hates personal care, doesn’t know his own home, not much conversation etc ..
My husband is the same, often doesn't like personal care or taking.mefication and just got home from a skilled nursing facility, they tried the Memory test, but it wasn't conclusive, he is still very confused has 3rd stage ckd,
The sleep patterns of my 96 year old dad, with short term memory issues, has changed. He seems to be sleeping later into the day - mid afternoon. He himself wonders why. He does live well independently with assistance. My siblings feel he should be wakened to eat something; however ive noticed that when he is wakened he is at times disoriented. My husband and i feel to let him sleep. Since he lives independently not sure when he goes to sleep. He will find food. And waking is not good for him. Problem not sure who is right?
My 89 year old Mam was diagnosed with Moderate Dementia in 2020 and is prone to Sundowning. She still lives at home with her husband and me, (the daughter) and was prescribed sedatives a year ago, which she takes without complaint at 6 - 7 pm, however they don't seem to help at all. She has no trouble walking and wants to go out for a walk everyday from 8pm even though we take her out early in the day, most days. My question is, do you think it's okay to give my Mam some herbal sleeping tablets to help her sleep? My Dad and I are getting very tired of her wanting to go on late night walks and need more sleep ourselves.

Hi Rachel,

We're sorry to hear about your mam, that sounds like a difficult situation to be in.

The reasons why people with dementia get confused or agitated towards the end of the day are not well understood, but there’s not much evidence that medicines are helpful for this particular problem.

If someone has been taking sedatives, such as benzodiazepines or a ‘Z-drug’ like zopiclone, for a long time and they don’t seem to be helping, the best thing to do is to tell the person who is prescribing them (for example, the GP).These types of medicines are generally only meant to be taken for a short period. They can actually add to confusion or disorientation when someone has dementia.

A herbal remedy may seem relatively harmless, but even these can add to confusion if taken along with a conventional sedative. So it’s best to get a medication review from your GP or pharmacist if you can, rather than adding to the list of medicines.

We hope this helps, Rachel.

Alzheimer's Society website team

You could say, it’s night time now, but we can go out tomorrow … let’s have a nice cup of horlicks ready for bed. Maybe give sleeping tablets for 3 days to get back in sleep pattern. Is she on melatonin? That can help. Keep active through day, keep brain active as that will make her tired
My wife is 75 has had 5 major heart attacks 3 strokes, a brain tumor over the third ventrical, had a large section of her stomach removedand is left with a stoma, has severe ryumitiod arthritis, in every joint, cardiovascular dementure, and alzhimers, and now sleeps up to 17 hours a day, does this mean she is starting to shut down

Hi Keith,

We're very sorry to hear about your wife. Unfortunately, we cannot provide specific advice without knowing more about your situation.

But please know that you aren't alone, and we're here for you. We'd strongly recommend calling our support line on 0333 150 3456 to speak with one of our trained dementia advisers. They will listen to you and provide specific information, advice and support. You can find more details about the support line (including opening hours and other methods of contact) here: https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/get-support/dementia-support-line

We hope this helps for now, Keith. Please do call our support line.

Alzheimer's Society website team

Hi my mum in care home but brought her for holiday at my seaside town Scarborough. Noticed the whole two weeks she slept all day and night and one day she jumped up said where we going today took her North Beach and South Side but she don't stay out long cause she grows tired easy . Few weeks before this we brought her for four days we took her sea life and town my daughter was here with 2 grandchildren. My Dad died Nov last year and mum took it bad . He got took care home just before he died few weeks with my mum cause house they lived was un habital for him to live there . So feel that seeing detoiration of my mum since she come back . Cause no one informs family about what's happening I'm so concerned if my mum health see in last stages of Dementia
My mother us 84 and has vascular dementia, she has this week started sleeping most of day and night. I have read this happens in the last stage of dementia, my mother finds everything hard work, even when I'm dressing her in the morning, and quite often tells me to leave her alone, but I wash and dress her anyway. I let my mother sleep, I never wake her. I do not worry about it, I just accept that she is getting to the closing of her life. Its hard to accept , but she is at peace when she sleeps.
My. Has. Early. On. Set. Dementia. It. Is. Early. Stage. Ramble. A. Lot. Going. To. The. Bathroom. A lot. She. Is. Getting. Confusion. A. Lot. About. Everything