Sleep Disorders Sleep and the Elderly

Losing Sleep As We Get Older

Summary & Participants

Insomnia can happen to anyone, but is especially common as we age. There are ways to win the battle and get a good night's sleep.

Medically Reviewed On: August 04, 2008

Webcast Transcript

ANNOUNCER: Insomnia can happen to anyone, but is especially common as we age.

Dolores, Insomnia Patient: I have a very bad, light sleeping habits, and as you get, as I got older, it got worse, progressively worse.

Lauren Broch, PhD, Sleep Specialist: Our rhythm of sleeping is less flexible as we age. And that’s also probably why older people have more sleep problems, is because they’re, they can sleep during the day, so they do. They start fragmenting their sleep,

ANNOUNCER: Dolores adopted a regimented sleeping schedule to treat her insomnia, and it’s working.

Dolores, Insomnia Patient: I just go to bed at 11:00 now and get up at 5:30. She wants to try and have me less time in bed, you know, so I’m sleeping that time instead of being, you know, up, and it’s working. I go right off to sleep. It amazes me.

ANNOUNCER: According to the National Sleep Foundation, insomnia is the most common sleep problem for Americans 55 and older. Forty-eight percent report they frequently experience at least one symptom. So don’t just accept sleepless nights as a part of aging. See your doctor.

Lauren Broch, PhD, Sleep Specialist: You don’t have to feel alone at night. There is help for your sleep and making you feel better.

Dolores, Insomnia Patient: When I go to bed now, I’m not stressed out, worrying about sleep, because that is the worst thing.

ANNOUNCER: Thanks for joining us on today’s Once Daily!