Sleeping Patterns of the Elderly. Many elderly people complain about getting less sleep. We think this is related to getting older. While it’s a common belief that getting older means less sleep and more fatigue, a new study suggests that older adults may actually enjoy better sleep than their younger counterparts.
Researchers conducted phone surveys of more than 150,000 Americans and found that people in their 80s had the fewest complaints about sleep disturbances and daytime fatigue compared to other age groups. The study appears in the March edition of the journal Sleep.
Some sleep specialists think we have got to get away from all these myths about ageing – many people are very content with their sleep.” However, he said that asking people for their subjective opinion about sleep patterns could produce answers that were dependent on their mood at the time. “If you are angry because your boss didn”t give you a pay rise, your perception of sleep quality may be very different from someone who is feeling generally content.
It’s not clear why older people reported fewer sleep disturbances and tiredness, the authors said. It could be that older people have more control over sleep duration while younger people experience more stressors (jobs, kids, socializing) that interfere with sleep. It’s also possible that older people are just more accepting of sleep quality and don’t complain about it as much.
As we age, our bodies secrete less of two important sleep hormones: melatonin and growth hormone. Melatonin is important because changes in the level of this hormone control our sleep cycle. With less melatonin, many older adults feel sleepy in the early evening and wake up in the early morning. They also may have more trouble falling asleep. Growth hormone is what makes children sleep so deeply. As we age, our body secretes less of this hormone and deep sleep becomes more difficult.
Sunlight helps your body to produce melatonin, which regulates your sleep cycle. Try to get at least two hours of exposure to bright light each day. If it is difficult for you to get outside, consider using a full-spectrum light indoors. Using alcohol, nicotine or caffeine can also affect your sleep patterns.
Regular exercise and healthy eating habits could be all that is required to make your dreams come true for your next evening sleep. Adopting a more active lifestyle can make the world of difference in most elderly peoples lives. Always consult with your doctor before starting an exercise program or changing your diet.
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