Studies Show Aging Alters Sleep Cycle

Research from the National Sleep Foundation found it becomes harder to fall asleep the older one gets, and often after falling asleep, seniors may have difficulty staying asleep, according to the Duncan Banner . "Sleep occurs in multiple stages including dreamless periods of light and deep sleep, and occasional periods of active dreaming REM sleep," the foundation stated. "The sleep cycle is repeated several times during the night and although total sleep time tends to remain constant, older people spend more time in the lighter stages of sleep than in deep sleep." Studies have demonstrated older adults are less satisfied with sleep, and they will often feel tired during the latter part of the day. Because it takes older Americans longer to fall asleep, this will shrink the amount of time that they will spend in REM sleep, as well as increase the amount of time that older Americans will wake up at night. Sleep disorders become more common with age, and sleep disturbances among seniors can be caused by both physical and psychiatric illnesses. Furthermore, drugs that older Americans take to treat their pains and various ailments can disrupt sleeping patterns.