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Elderly parents
Original poster

Elderly mum not sleeping- how normal?

34 replies

SilverSurferNot · 05/12/2025 12:10

My mum aged 98 has a terrible time sleeping. It varies a lot but some nights she wakes around 2am and can't sleep again so she is exhausted the next day. And obviously there are longer term effects on her overall health.

She lives independently and is in reasonably good health- fully mobile etc. My sister visits her most days (I'm too far away to do that.)

I have suggested she asks for sleeping tablets if she has little sleep for days on end but she's not keen. I know they can have side effects.

Does anyone else have any experience of this?

OP posts:
flobbynomore · 05/12/2025 13:39

My 91 year old Dad has had this issue since his mid- 80s. He did have prescribed sleeping tablets for a while after lots of asking the GP, but they stopped working quite quickly and made him groggy in the daytime. I can see why they were reluctant to give them to him. Overall his quality of life is much better without them. He says he tries not to get worked up now about the lack of sleep, just accepts it as a sign of aging, he reads or listens to the radio. He does occasionally close his eyes in his chair during the day but swears he’s just resting them - the snoring suggests otherwise!

Coffeeishot · 05/12/2025 13:06

I am 54 and my sleep is terrible I think by the time im in my 70s ill just be up all night !

Minty25 · 05/12/2025 12:55

I think it's pretty common. I visit and chat at length to a lot of older people to do Attendance allowance forms and loads of them are up and down all night but often not really anything to do with their illnesses or disabilities, they just can't sleep.

ProfessorBinturong · 05/12/2025 12:53

SilverSurferNot · 05/12/2025 12:43

I thought of that but they are unlicensed aren't they in the UK? Or not allowed to buy over the counter- but can a GP prescribe?

Licenced for over 55s, IIRC. Prescription only.

DwarfPalmetto · 05/12/2025 12:53

SilverSurferNot · 05/12/2025 12:43

I thought of that but they are unlicensed aren't they in the UK? Or not allowed to buy over the counter- but can a GP prescribe?

Melatonin is licensed in the UK, it is a prescription only medicine. Her GP would be able to prescribe it, if it is suitable for her.

Coffeeishot · 05/12/2025 12:47

Ive just been to the GP with my mum shes younger than yours, she has a few health issues. Anyway she doesn't sleep well up and down most of the night, we mentioned it the dr said it can come with aging and he recommended just resting and napping, I think they are reluctant to give sleeping tablets.

RedRosie · 05/12/2025 12:45

Your mum sounds amazing @SilverSurferNot ... Mine is "only" 85 and has the same issue. As the previous poster says, melatonin might be possible (if a GP will prescribe). Has she tried over the counter stuff? I'm not sure what really works but others may have suggestions.

Original poster
SilverSurferNot · 05/12/2025 12:43

I thought of that but they are unlicensed aren't they in the UK? Or not allowed to buy over the counter- but can a GP prescribe?

OP posts:
ProfessorBinturong · 05/12/2025 12:15

Very common. Might be worth enquiring about melatonin rather than full on sleeping tablets - that helps her normal sleep cycle rather than knocking her out.

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