This seems odd.
By Amber
@AmbiePam (102110)
United States
August 25, 2025 12:40pm CST
My stepmom (aged 71, in good shape) takes three hour naps. I mentioned this a couple of years ago, and the majority of Mylotters said some people just need different amounts of sleep. If my dad is home during the day, he’ll take a 15 minute nap, and then get up and get back up and go.. Whether he is there or not, it’s a three hour nap for her. She gets up at around 6:30am, and they go to bed at 9pm.
In the mornings (obviously only certain times of the year) she’ll work in the garden two hours. My dad will sometimes remind her not to stay out so long, but he can’t keep an eye on her, and she’s a grown adult. But it didn’t sit well with me after reading people who nap two hours or more during the day are more likely to get Alzheimer’s (she naps 3). (I realize it’s just ONE study)
A week ago Saturday, my dad’s friends were in town, and my dad and the male friend went to a local conference. The women stayed behind because Diana was tired. My dad got a call an hour later that Diana was having double vision and they were taking her to the hospital. I’m guessing the female friend was worried about a stroke. Anyway, they did an MRI, kept her overnight, and released her the next day. Told her to see her doctor in the following weeks (we assume that means the MRI was clear).
The next two days all she did was sleep. She’s “back to normal” now. What do you guys think? She sees her regular doctor Thursday.
19 people like this
20 responses
@Tampa_girl7 (53306)
• United States
26 Aug
Could it be a mini stroke ? I sure hope not.
3 people like this
@YuleimaVzla (1739)
• Maracaibo, Venezuela
26 Aug
I also believe the same because I have seen neurologists who talk about strokes that are silent and that the person does not even realize or realizes it in a less invasive way.
1 person likes this
@Juliaacv (54650)
• Canada
25 Aug
They are doing so much research into Alz. and so much is newly learned information and can easily be proven incorrect within a few years as they research more.
And you, and I, both have loved and lost our Moms to this terrible illness, and that gives us a heightened concern.
Me, not a doctor, but just l'il ole me, what comes to my mind if someone is napping that long regularly, is heart disease.
The heart has to pump and keep the blood flowing to keep the body moving.
Part of it may also be habit, she has established a habit of sleeping for that long every day, and her body isn't waking up when it is refreshed as it should 15 or 20 minutes later.
I will keep her in my prayers, and I do hope that this spell was a warning that the doctor can advise her on and treat her.
3 people like this
@YuleimaVzla (1739)
• Maracaibo, Venezuela
26 Aug
I think you should seek a second opinion just to be safe, it doesn't hurt, perhaps another doctor could clear up the mystery of what is really happening. I agree with a comment that It is here in this post where I possibly indicate some silent brain damage since even young people have had Strokes happen silently and they never realize it until they go to a neurologist and see the studies that show that at some point in their life they have had it
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (195165)
• United States
25 Aug
Hmm, odd, did you find out how the doctor's visit went?
2 people like this
@LeaPea2417 (38298)
• Toccoa, Georgia
25 Aug
Wow, I didn't know that people who nap 2 or 3 hours daily have more of a chance of getting Alzheimer's.
1 person likes this
@LeaPea2417 (38298)
• Toccoa, Georgia
25 Aug
@AmbiePam prayers your stepmom doesn't get it.
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (102110)
• United States
25 Aug
@LeaPea2417 That is very sweet of you.
1 person likes this
@DaddyEvil (158167)
• United States
26 Aug
If she naps in the morning, that could be a sign/symptom of dementia. Naps in the afternoon and consistent nap times are fine, according to recent studies.
1 person likes this
@rsa101 (40016)
• Philippines
26 Aug
I’m not a doctor, but from what you shared, her three-hour naps could simply be her body’s way of recharging—especially since she stays active in the mornings with gardening and other chores. Some people just need more rest as they age, and if she’s generally functioning well otherwise, it may not be a red flag on its own. And since she is still aware of her activities and able to manage her day-to-day tasks, that does not necessarily mean she is suffering from Alzheimer’s already.
What’s more concerning is the sudden double vision and extreme sleepiness afterward. Even with a clear MRI, that could point to things like a mini-stroke (TIA), blood pressure changes, medication effects, or even exhaustion. It’s good that she’s seeing her doctor soon so they can dig deeper and give everyone peace of mind. In the meantime, making sure she stays hydrated, paces herself in the garden, and listens to her body is the best approach.
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (102110)
• United States
26 Aug
She really thinks it might have been a change of medication, and she did stop what she had recently been given.
And in the midst of replying to your comment, I called her and made sure she knew she needed to mention the three hour naps to her doctor Thursday, and that I loved her and wanted to make sure she was around for a long time to come.
@luisadannointed (8362)
• Philippines
6h
Well, I think she got to the hospital early, and was administered the right thing to do... and was able to rest well.
1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (44062)
• United States
26 Aug
It sounds odd, praying her doctor will help. I take a nap after dinner/lunch, but usually about 45 minutes. We do go to bed late, though, around 12. That quick nap really helps me. But I'd be concerned about your step mom, too. I'll be praying for her.
1 person likes this
@Traceyjayne (4698)
• United Kingdom
26 Aug
Maybe a good idea to mention it to the Dr. There are several things it could be ….but it would be better checked out.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (199178)
• United States
25 Aug
I don't know what to think. I certainly hope she doesn't get Alzheimer's. Saying a prayer for her.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (152541)
• India
26 Aug
More than worrying about sleeping one should keep one's brain active to stay away from Alzheimer's
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (88449)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
25 Aug
That is rather odd but perhaps for some reason all she needed was a really good rest,
1 person likes this
@Melanie_Marie (2269)
• St. Clair, Michigan
25 Aug
It sounds about right to me, but I take 5-6 hour naps and I think it’s pretty safe to say in a 24-hr period, I spend more hours asleep than awake. But my doctor says it’s because my mind needs the sleep to “help process things” I don’t know, maybe he’s right.
If this is a new thing for her, though.. maybe have it checked out.
My elderly aunt started sleeping many hours and it was an early sign of dementia.
Hope it all turns out ok. 
Now I need a nap
Now I need a nap1 person likes this
