Hello.

Hi Kitty , that is a good question, but for an 89 year old, my reply is quite different than to a 69 year old for example.  I don’t know what drugs your dad is on but all PCa treatments come with a fatigue warning.  The younger you are, the easier it is generally to combat fatigue with exercise in my experience.  It sounds like counterintuitive to do more when you are tired, but it generally helps.  Is your dad interested in doing anything that will keep him occupied (and awake) during the day?

I don’t think a little doze in the afternoon does any harm but probably 20-30 mins, anything more is probably likely to disrupt nighttime sleep.  Perhaps a visit to his GP to get something to settle him overnight might help.  David

Hi Kitty 

sorry to hear about your dads diagnosis . A few things about  sleep .

My OH  (72) and I were up a lot during the night trying to get our heads round his diagnosis and it was pretty regular .  He also fell asleep when sitting watching TV. In the afternoon.

We spoke to our GP and she offered us both something to let us sleep but we refused . Our GP arranged for him to go to our local gym and he attends three times a week . He also walks daily which he did prior to his diagnosis. He feels this is making his fatigue less. 

is your dad feeling ok within himself as he maybe a bit low mood following his diagnosis  and this can cause nocturnal tendencies. 

If he is fit enough to walk possibly a stroll would help with the fatigue. Or walking in his local swimming pool as this is also good for his fatigue as walking in a pool offers a low-impact, full-body workout that's gentle on joints,  and increases muscle strength.  

Could he go somewhere during the afternoon for a chat with his peers as that gives him something other than napping.

as a last resort could your mum go into another bed for a few nights to catch up on her essential sleep as you dint want her to become unwell with sleep deprivation. 

it’s a balancing act trying to get them both sleeping at night. 

best wishes and let us know how it goes with your parents 

hugs to you all 

Liz & OH xx