Sleep and Aging

About Aging

• The proportion of over 65 year olds is predicted to increase from 12% in 2000 to 20% in 2030
• Reducing the health problems of the aging population is important for the individual and country as a whole
• Typical health problems seen in the older population often start earlier in life

Aging is a process that affects almost all living things. As we age, we become more susceptible to disease and less able to recover. Over the last few decades the concept of successful aging has become popular. The concept revolves around three ideas:

• Highly engaged in life
• Low risk of disease
• Good physical and mental state

Good sleep positively affects all of these factors.

About Sleep and Aging

• Half of over 65 year olds are dissatisfied with their sleep
• Sleep patterns change as we age, making sleep lighter and more easily disturbed
• We are more likely to have sleep disorders later in life
• Taking multiple medications can cause disruption to both sleep quality and quantity

Obstructive sleep apnea (where the airway periodically becomes blocked during sleep and oxygen levels in the blood decrease) is the most common sleep disorder in the older population. Unfortunately diagnosis is often delayed as the symptoms may be put down to “just getting old”.

Other sleep disorders that are more common in the older population include:

• Restless legs syndrome – 45% of older people
• Insomnia – 40% report difficulty sleeping

Dementia, especially Alzheimer’s disease, has been shown to be linked to sleep apnea. It is possible that the brain damage associated with Alzheimer’s disease increases the likelihood of sleep apnea, and that the periods of reduced oxygen in the blood during sleep increase the existing damage.

As sleep disorders negatively affect many diseases, mental health, general well-being and mood, it is important to get the correct diagnosis and treatment to improve life as an older person.