Sleep Facts About Aging That You Must Know

If you're like most people, you probably feel like you need more sleep than you did when you were younger. (Remember those all night study sessions in college or high school?) Yet at the same time, it seems like it's more and more difficult to get the sleep required to wake up rested and ready to tackle your day. Plus, you may be wondering what the coming years have in store. Your aging parents don't really sleep much at all. Does that mean things are going to get worse? Let's take a look at some of the sleep facts about aging and how to help yourself or a loved one get the optimal amount of sleep.

Here's something you can count on: as you get older, your sleep patterns will change. The general rule is that as you age, you will sleep less and sleep worse. Over age 65, sleep tends to be more fragmented and achieving dream sleep or deep sleep is more difficult to do. However, getting the benefits of a good night's sleep is still just as important as it was at younger ages.

Why the change? Just think about the changes in lifestyle that aging normally brings with it. Our sleep is often affected by the medications that we take. As people grow older, they typically take more medications than when they were younger. Retirement from daily work can also affect the sleep quality of seniors. The lack of activity and exertion during the day can lead to an inability to fall asleep at night.

Insomnia is commonly connected to anxiety and depression, which unfortunately is much more likely as the elderly cope with major life events. The death of family members and friends, a change in surroundings, or illness can all play a role in disturbing sleep. Other sleep disorders also become more likely with increasing age. Conditions like sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome and snoring are found among seniors at a much high rate.

The good news is that sleep problems brought on by aging can usually be remedied by improving sleep hygiene. This means limiting naps near bedtime, improving the sleeping environment, and being as active as possible during the day. Limit caffeine, smoking and alcohol, and discuss the possible side effects of medications with your doctor. When you are armed with knowledge of these sleep facts, you should have no trouble overcoming the sleep challenges that aging brings.