Insomnia Archives - FirstLantic Blog

Insomnia and the Elderly: Understanding Sleep Challenges in Older Adults

Kate Jordan2024-08-19T14:15:39-04:00August 19th, 2024|Categories: Insomnia|

Insomnia is a common sleep disorder characterized by difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up too early and being unable to go back to sleep. While insomnia can affect people of all ages, it is particularly prevalent among older adults, impacting their quality of life, overall health, and well-being. Understanding the causes, risks, and potential solutions for insomnia in the elderly is crucial for improving their sleep and, ultimately, their quality of life. Prevalence of Insomnia in the Elderly Research shows that insomnia affects up to 50% of people aged 65 and older. Aging brings about changes in sleep patterns and rhythms, which can contribute to insomnia. As we age, sleep becomes lighter, shorter, and more fragmented, which increases the likelihood of sleep [...]

Why Insomnia Increases as We Age

Do you ever wish you could literally sleep like a baby again? Sleep does not come easy for many of us, and it becomes even more problematic as we age. Of course, that's not true for everyone, like my husband snoring next to me as I write this. However, it is a fact that the older we get, the more problems we have falling asleep and staying asleep. In fact, researchers estimate that between 40% and 70% of older adults have chronic sleep issues, and up to half of those cases may go undiagnosed. So why do sleep patterns change as we age, and what can we do about it? Changes in Circadian Rhythm There are many theories as to why sleep patterns [...]