Older adults experience age-related changes in their sleep patterns where the older a person gets the less sleep they get. Sleep gets more difficult as a person gets older hence adults are unable to obtain as much sleep as younger people. Sleep allows our body to rest and restore its energy. Sleep disorders can be caused by taking caffeine, tobacco and sometimes alcohol. In addition, sleep disorders can be caused by sleep behaviours and comorbid disorders. These sleep disorder include; sleep apnea syndrome (SAS), rapid eye movement (REM), sleep behaviour disorder (RBD), restless leg syndrome (RLS) and psychiatric disorders like depression and anxiety (Suzuki, 2017).
In addition, modern life has been the cause of sleep disorders due to working very late, using the internet and watching television at late hours. Some of the common effects of sleep disorders in older adults are; feeling tired earlier, losing appetite, being up very early in the morning, waking up in the middle of the night being unable to fall back to sleep again. Moreover, older adults experience insomnia which is a condition that makes it very hard to fall to asleep and/or fall asleep (Suzuki, 2017). However, there are medications that cure sleep disorders and insomnia. Hypnotics may be initiated although the use of medication is more advisable. Moreover, it is essential to screen for main sleep disorders such as SAS, REM, RBD, and RLS among others. Insomnia is a very difficult problem that requires lifestyle change. Older adults can use a sleep diary and a flow chart to assess sleep patterns and screen sleep disorders (Suzuki, 2017).
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Reference
Suzuku, K., Miyamoto, M., Hirata, K. (2017). Sleep disorders in the elderly: Diagnosis and management. Journal of General and Family Medicine , 18(2), 61-71.
