Sleep in the Aging Population

Sleep Med Clin. 2017 Mar;12(1):31-38. doi: 10.1016/j.jsmc.2016.10.008. Epub 2016 Dec 20.

Abstract

There are normal changes to sleep architecture throughout the lifespan. There is not, however, a decreased need for sleep and sleep disturbance is not an inherent part of the aging process. Sleep disturbance is common in older adults because aging is associated with an increasing prevalence of multimorbidity, polypharmacy, psychosocial factors affecting sleep, and certain primary sleep disorders. It is also associated with morbidity and mortality. Because many older adults have several factors from different domains affecting their sleep, these complaints are best approached as a multifactorial geriatric health condition, necessitating a multifaceted treatment approach.

Keywords: Aging; Geriatric syndromes; Insomnia; Multimorbidity; Polypharmacy; Sleep disorders.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aging / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Sleep / physiology*
  • Sleep Wake Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Sleep Wake Disorders / epidemiology
  • Sleep Wake Disorders / physiopathology
  • Sleep Wake Disorders / therapy*