So if you're noticing that your nights now typically involve periods of wakefulness, is playing a little catch up when possible during the day a good idea? Want more health and science stories in your inbox? Subscribe to Salon's weekly newsletter Lab Notes. A 2018 study on insomnia in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine found that " As many as 50% of older adults complain about difficulty initiating or maintaining sleep." Grief, loneliness, financial loss and other stressors can wreck a good night's rest, and the symptoms of depression and anxiety often go undiagnosed. And then there are the mental health issues. There are other physical factors as well - the National Council on Aging estimates that " 56% of people age 65 and older have a high risk of developing obstructive sleep apnea." Our circadian rhythms also change as we age, edging us to what can make us feel like we're living in a different time zone from our family and friends. ![]() Changes in the urinary tract, along with other factors like bladder obstruction, make nocturia (frequent nighttime urination) far more common in adults over the age of 60. Bathroom issues can likewise keep a person of any gender up and down all night long. There's menopause, with its discomforts and night sweats. Why do those gorgeous, lengthy sleeps of our younger years become so elusive as we age? There are a whole litany of reasons. He adds, "Healthy older adults do not necessarily show these changes in their sleep parameters." A 2017 analysis in the journal Sleep Medicine Clinics explained how so-called "sleep architecture" can change with age, including "advanced sleep timing, shortened nocturnal sleep duration, increased frequency of daytime naps, increased number of nocturnal awakenings and time spent awake during the night, decreased slow wave sleep, and other changes."Īuckland sleep psychologist Dan Ford, clinical director of the Better Sleep Clinic, puts it simply, "Generally speaking, sleep ability declines as we age as the mechanisms that control sleep become less robust over time." But nothing is set in stone. Older people have unique vulnerabilities around getting a deep, steady rest. The real culprit to watch out for as we age isn't the amount of sleep, but quality of it. "Generally speaking, sleep ability declines as we age as the mechanisms that control sleep become less robust over time." Addressing these factors with a healthcare professional is crucial for developing a tailored approach to sleep improvement."Īs Sultan puts it, "The concept of normal sleep does change as we age, and recognizing these shifts is essential for maintaining optimal health." "In my clinical experience," he says, "I have observed that older adults often face unique challenges, such as medical conditions or medications affecting sleep. Sultan says it's just about paying attention to overall health patterns and any changes that feel off. ![]() My late father-in-law may not have had much steam in him after dinnertime, but his days were as active and engaged as his solitary predawn hours. Older adults may be well-rested and alert after 6 to 7 hours." Ryan Sultan, a board-certified psychiatrist, therapist, researcher and professor at Columbia University, says that "As we age, the amount of sleep needed tends to decrease. "A third of US adults report that they usually get less than the recommended amount of sleep."ĭr.
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