Normal and Abnormal Sleep in the Elderly

Abstract

Sleep-related complaints are so common in older adults that it may be difficult to distinguish whether the complaint is a consequence of normal aging or a disease process. The elderly are more likely to have common medical problems that affect sleep, and the most common sleep problems, including sleep apnea and insomnia, are more prevalent in this demographic. This article briefly describes normal sleep in general, the clinical assessment of sleep complaints, and expected changes with aging, with an overview of the epidemiology of insomnia and sleep apnea in this age group.

Keywords: Elderly; Epidemiology; Insomnia; Phase advance; Polysomnography; Sleep apnea; Sleep stages.