Sleep disorders in the elderly: a growing challenge

Abstract

In contrast to newborns, who spend 16-20 h in sleep each day, adults need only about sleep daily. However, many elderly may struggle to obtain those 8 h in one block. In addition to changes in sleep duration, sleep patterns change as age progresses. Like the physical changes that occur during old age, an alteration in sleep pattern is also a part of the normal ageing process. As people age, they tend to have a harder time falling asleep and more trouble staying asleep. Older people spend more time in the lighter stages of sleep than in deep sleep. As the circadian mechanism in older people becomes less efficient, their sleep schedule is shifted forward. Even when they manage to obtain 7 or 8 h sleep, they wake up early, as they have gone to sleep quite early. The prevalence of sleep disorders is higher among older adults. Loud snoring, which is more common in the elderly, can be a symptom of obstructive sleep apnoea, which puts a person at risk for cardiovascular diseases, headaches, memory loss, and depression. Restless legs syndrome and periodic limb movement disorder that disrupt sleep are more prevalent in older persons. Other common medical problems of old age such as hypertension diabetes mellitus, renal failure, respiratory diseases such as asthma, immune disorders, gastroesophageal reflux disease, physical disability, dementia, pain, depression, and anxiety are all associated with sleep disturbances.

The prevalence of insomnia and its risk factors among older adults in a city in Turkey's Aegean Region

“…Insomnia is one of the most common sleeping disorders . In previous studies in other countries, the prevalence of insomnia, which was defined as a chronic sleeping disorder, ranged from 32.4% to 67.24% among the population aged 65 years old and older .…”

“…Meeting this need and having a quality sleeping process are important for preventing and maintaining health, well‐being, and quality of life among older adults. Sleep increases resistance against infections, supports glucose metabolism and prevents diabetes, and enables people be more active and conscious during the day …”

“…Most sleeping disorders seen among older adults are associated with insomnia. Insomnia has been described as an impairment in starting and maintaining sleep, an impairment in quality of sleep, and a condition that causes some alterations in social and professional functions …”

Translation and Cross-Cultural Adaptation of the Questionnaire of Sleep Health for Using in Chinese Older

“…Sleep disorder has become a common symptom of the elderly [1][2][3]. Studies have shown that it is characterized by di culty in falling asleep, shallow sleep and easy to wake up [4][5][6]. Sleep disorders are extremely common among the elderly, impairing the sleep quality and becoming a public health problem [7,8], seriously affecting the cognitive function of the elderly [9], increasing the risk of falls in the elderly [10].…”

Importance of Sleep for Health and Wellbeing Amidst COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Older people spend more time in the lighter stages of sleep. Moreover, prevalence of sleep disorders is higher among older adults [1]. The escalating levels of stress due to emergent lockouts in affected areas/cities/town would also be aggravating their sleep problems.…”