Sleep disorders in the elderly involve any disrupted sleep pattern, such as problems falling or staying asleep, too much sleep, or abnormal behaviors with sleep.

Sleep problems are common in the elderly. In general, older people need 30 to 60 minutes less sleep than younger people. Their sleep is less deep and more choppy than sleep in younger people. A healthy 70 year old may wake up four times during the night without it being due to disease.

Some causes or contributors to sleep disturbances in older adults include:

• Alzheimer's disease
• Chronic disease, such as congestive heart failure
• Depression (depression is a common cause of sleep problems in people of all ages)
• Neurological conditions
• Pain caused by diseases such as arthritis
• Prescription drugs, recreational drugs, or alcohol
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Stimulants such as caffeine
• Urination at night

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Sleep patterns in younger and older adults

Review Date: 11/17/2010
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)