AGING AND SLEEP
As people age, they tend to experience changes in their sleep patterns and sleep quality. These changes can include:
- Decreased total sleep time: Older adults tend to sleep less overall, and they may have difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep through the night.
- Changes in sleep stages: Older adults tend to spend less time in deep sleep (also known as slow-wave sleep) and more time in light sleep. This can lead to feelings of not being well-rested and can increase the risk of daytime sleepiness.
- Increased sleep disruption: Older adults may be more susceptible to sleep disruptions such as sleep apnoea, restless leg syndrome, and periodic limb movement disorder, which can further impair sleep quality.
- Changes in sleep-wake cycle: As people age, they may experience changes in their body’s internal clock, which can affect their sleep-wake cycle and make it more difficult to fall asleep and wake up at the desired times.
Overall, aging is associated with a number of changes in sleep patterns and sleep quality, and these changes can have a significant impact on an individual’s health and well-being.