In short
With age, sleep becomeslighter and more fragmented and tends to get ahead (sleep early, wake up early in the morning). That's normal; whatno it is normal to sleep persistently poorly. Behind insomnia in the elderly there are usually treatable causes: pain, drugs, apnoea, restless legs or mood. Treating them greatly improves their quality of life.
Getting older changes sleep, it doesn't ruin it
From a certain age it is common for sleep to belighter, with more awakenings and a tendency to go to bed and get up earlier (phase advancement). It also decreases deep sleep. These changes are a normal part of aging and, by themselves, are not a problem.
The common mistake isattribute it all to age and resign. When an elderly person sleeps really badly—it takes a long time, they stay awake, they experience drowsiness, or they take sleeping pills every night—there is almost always aspecific causebehind: pain, nocturia, effects of medication, apnoea, restless legs, depression or a clock imbalance.
Identifying and treating this cause—instead of stockpiling sleeping pills, which are more risky for older people—is what truly improves their rest and quality of life.
Do any of these situations sound family member to you?
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Frequent signs
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Common sleep disorders in the elderly
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Insomnia in the elderly
Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, often due to pain, medications, little activity, or low mood. It is best treated by searching for the cause and with therapy, avoiding the continued use of hypnotics, which in older people have more adverse effects.
Sleep apnoea
Frequent and often undetected in older people. It worsens memory, mood and cardiovascular risk. Its treatment provides a notable improvement in energy and health.
Restless legs syndrome
The need to move the legs when resting is more frequent in older people and makes it difficult to fall asleep. It is advisable to rule out iron deficiency and other causes; responds to treatment.
REM behavior disorder
Representing sleep with sudden movements appears especially after the age of 50 and can be an early sign of neurological diseases. It deserves an evaluation.
Phase advance
Irresistible sleep early in the evening and waking up in the early morning. It is managed with light and schedules to set the clock back a little.
Why older people sleep worse
There is almost always a treatable cause behind poor sleep.
Osteoarthritis, heart or respiratory problems.
Many drugs alter sleep or cause drowsiness.
Frequent and underdiagnosed at this age.
Inactivity and lack of light disrupt the clock.
Depression and loneliness are associated with insomnia.
Getting up to go to the bathroom fragments the night.
How we study and help
We look for the cause of bad sleep instead of covering it up with pills, with a sleep study if necessary.
First consultation
History of sleep, health and medication
Drug Review
We detect those that may be affecting
Study if applicable
Polysomnography for apnoea, RBD or movements
Custom plan
Treat the cause, habits and therapy; less hypnotic
My mother slept badly and they only gave her more pills. Here they looked for the cause—he had apnoea—and by treating it, his sleep, mood, and even memory improved. Another person.
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We solve your doubts
Is it normal to sleep poorly when you get older?
Are sleeping pills okay for older people?
My family member snores and pauses, does it matter at his age?
He hits while he sleeps, what could it be?
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Content reviewed by the medical team of the Sleep Research Institute.