Why Do So Many “elderly” People Have Serious Sleep Disorders?

Question by Jayson R: Why do so many “elderly” people have serious sleep disorders?
Why do people 60 and over have so much trouble sleeping? Is it because their pineal gland makes very little to no melatonin? Is it due to depression or lack of activity? Not getting enough light?

Some just can’t fall asleep without pills. Some “elderly” people have little trouble falling asleep, but have trouble staying asleep. Why is this?

Best answer:

Answer by doctore
As people age, there are normal changes in sleep patterns that result in less deep (stage 3-4) sleep, more REM cycles, more frequent night-time wakening, and more frequent day-time naps. The total number of hours of sleep should remain ~8 hours.

It’s also important to consider polypharmacy, elder abuse, berievement, depression, sleep apnea, benign prostatic hyperplasia, and other medical problems.

Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!

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