Sleep problems in the elderly

Abstract

Epidemiologic studies have shown that approximately 50% of older adults have sleep problems, many of which carry deleterious consequences that affect physical and mental health and also social functioning. However, sleep problems in late life are often unrecognized, and are inadequately treated in clinical practice. This article focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of the 2 most common sleep problems in older patients: sleep apnea and insomnia.

Keywords: Diagnosis and treatment; Insomnia; Older adults; Sleep apnea; Sleep problems.

Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Figures

Fig. 1

The 3 P conceptual model of insomnia. Predisposing factors: physical and mental health, family history of insomnia, poverty, and so forth. Precipitating factors: depressive episode, hospitalization, loss of a loved one, moving, and so forth. Perpetuating factors: spending too much time in bed, not following a regular sleep schedule, and so forth. CBTi, Cognitive behavior treatment of insomnia.