Worried about 80 year old friend falling asleep suddenly

Could be a number of things but given his age a severe B12 deficiency seems likely. The symptoms you describe mirror those of my 92 year old mum last year. She now has regular B12 injections. He needs to visit GP for a full blood panel.

I second that , he definitely needs to see the GP , you are right to be worried

It could also be narcolepsy. I knew someone with the condition who would suddenly fall asleep in the middle of a meal. He should see his doctor.

He should stop driving. He's at risk of hurting himself and some other poor person in his car.
Please get him to a GP it very worrying.

It could be diabetes. DH was like this before he was diagnosed, waking several times in the night and then falling asleep in mid conversation sometimes.

It could be sleep apnoea.

You say he has seen his doctor and mentioned his 'tiredness'

But the problem isn't tiredness. The problem is falling asleep without warning. This is what he should be discussing with his doctor

Talk to GP and NO driving!
What a danger for the public

Of course he must be tired if he's getting up so many times during the night. He really shouldn't be driving.

He needs a a jolly good telling…..if it happens standing up it can happen when he is driving! He must get medical advice….end of.

so are you going to tell your friend all these remedies and advice you've got for him?

It could be anything we are not doctors on here you need to encourage him to a) see a doctor immediately and b) stop driving before he kills himself or worse still someone else or a family
You can report him to DVLA if he won’t do it himself I know that seems awful but if it saves lives !!

Mazgg
You are in an awkward position here - I hope you manage to get your friend to see a doctor. As someone said upthread they are not just suffering from tiredness they are falling asleep suddenly and without notice.

Please persuade him to visit his GP .
Asap.

Thank you all for confirming what I already thought, and thank you NotSpaghetti for the flowers. It is indeed a difficult subject to approach (male pride etc.) I intend to show him your replies and try to get his daughter on board with this.

Involving his daughter is a good thing. Firstly he needs to stop driving until a doctor has diagnosed his condition. A car becomes a dangerous weapon if the driver is asleep!

Indeed it does - and his condition, even though undiagnosed, may invalidate his insurance. Please emphasise this, and that he must not drive unless a doctor pronounces him safe to do so. If necessary ask his daughter to take away the keys. Many years ago a colleague of my husband had undiagnosed epilepsy. He knew he had it but refused to go to the doctor for treatment. He had a seizure whilst driving, his car mounted the pavement and a child was killed.