Do the Elderly Sleep a Lot Before Death?

As seniors near the end of life, their sleep patterns may change dramatically. This is especially true for seniors with a terminal illness, where it isn’t uncommon to see a hospice patient sleeping all day.

But why do hospice patients sleep so much? What is it that causes seniors to sleep a lot before death? In this post, we’ll explore the connection between increased sleep and death.

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Sleep and Death: Do People Sleep a lot Before They Die?

Sleep and death are often more connected than they might seem. An increase in sleep for seniors who are dealing with a life-threatening or terminal illness is often one of the final stages of life, and can begin weeks or months before death.

Why do Hospice Patients Sleep so Much?

Hospice patients need more sleep because their bodies are trying to conserve energy as vital functions begin to shut down. This problem is often exacerbated by the side effects of common medications used for things like pain management.

As an illness progresses, the body’s metabolism will often slow, which also means the body requires longer and more frequent rest. To make matters worse, because hospice patients are often combatting issues like low energy and general discomfort they tend to eat and drink less. This impact on nutrition makes it more difficult for the body to replenish itself. A decrease in appetite is also a common side effect of the aforementioned pain medications that many seniors rely on.

Is Sleeping a lot Before Death Normal?

Sleeping a lot before death is normal for seniors who are nearing the end of their life. Seeing your loved one spending most of their day sleeping may initially seem like a cause for alarm, but it is a natural part of the dying process.

That said, there are some cases where an abrupt change in end of life sleep patterns warrants a call to your hospice care team:

• If you notice a sudden change to sleep patterns accompanied by other new symptoms.
• If you notice a sudden change to sleep patterns following a change in medication; especially if drowsiness wasn’t listed as a side effect.
• If you notice your loved one seems to be in pain or has difficulty breathing while asleep.

Should You Try to Influence End of Life Sleep Patterns?

It’s natural to want to spend as much of the time that your loved ones have left together. As a result, many caregivers struggle with allowing their loved one to spend most of their day asleep.

That said, if you notice your hospice patient sleeping all day the best thing you can do is simply allow them to rest. Trying to force a change in what their body is telling them to do naturally is only going to cause friction and unnecessary discomfort. Instead, do your best to maximize the time that they are awake and think about how you can connect emotionally without disturbing their need for rest. Consider reading them a favorite book, reminiscing on shared memories, or simply holding their hand while they are asleep.

To learn more about our home care services, contact our caregiving team today at 1-800-GRISWOLD or find a Caregiver near you.