Sleep Deficiency in the Elderly

Jane Alexandra Pappas; Brienne Miner

doi:10.1016/j.ccm.2022.02.005

Sleep Deficiency in the Elderly

Clin Chest Med. 2022 Jun;43(2):273-286. doi: 10.1016/j.ccm.2022.02.005.

Authors

Jane Alexandra Pappas¹, Brienne Miner²

Affiliations

¹ San Juan Bautista School of Medicine, Salida 21 Carr. 172 Urb. Turabo Gardens, Caguas 00726, Puerto Rico.
² Section of Geriatrics, Yale University School of Medicine, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT 06520, USA. Electronic address: brienne.miner@yale.edu.

PMID: 35659025
DOI: 10.1016/j.ccm.2022.02.005

Abstract

With aging, there are normative changes to sleep physiology and circadian rhythmicity that may predispose older adults to sleep deficiency, whereas many health-related and psychosocial/behavioral factors may precipitate sleep deficiency. In this article, we describe age-related changes to sleep and describe how the health-related and psychosocial/behavioral factors typical of aging may converge in older adults to increase the risk for sleep deficiency. Next, we review the consequences of sleep deficiency in older adults, focusing specifically on important age-related outcomes, including mortality, cognition, depression, and physical function. Finally, we review treatments for sleep deficiency, highlighting safe and effective nonpharmacologic interventions.

Keywords: Aging; Circadian rhythm; Cognition; Physical function; Sleep; Sleep deficiency; Sleep duration; Sleep quality.

Publication types

Review
Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Aged
Aging / physiology
Circadian Rhythm* / physiology
Humans
Sleep* / physiology

Abstract

Publication types

MeSH terms

Grants and funding