Sleep Problems

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Common Sleep Problems among Older Adults

Insomnia

Insomnia is the inability to fall or stay asleep despite wanting to do so. This condition can cause:

  • Daytime problems such as tiredness
  • Poor concentration
  • Concerns about sleep

A person with a diagnosis of Insomnia has sleep problems at least 3 times a week for at least 3 months.

People with insomnia often have mental health problems, such as depression.

Sleep Apnea

A person with sleep apnea repeatedly stops breathing for about 10 seconds or longer while asleep. The lack of oxygen causes a person to partially wake up when this happens.

Untreated sleep apnea is related to increased risks for:

  • High blood pressure and stroke
  • Cognitive decline (problems with thinking and memory)
  • Heart disease
  • Sudden death 

There are different types of sleep apnea.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea

This form of apnea is caused by a problem with a sleeping person’s airway; it becomes blocked. Often these people snore loudly when sleeping as the airway starts to close. They then appear to snort or choke while sleeping. They may not be aware of waking up frequently while asleep.

Other symptoms may include:

  • Napping during the day
  • Early morning headaches
  • Problems with memory
  • High blood pressure
Central sleep apnea

This type of apnea can cause breathing to stop as a person sleeps. Often it happens when people have had a stroke, heart failure, or atrial fibrillation.  

Restless Leg Syndrome

People may experience abnormal feelings in their legs when lying down or just sitting. Symptoms typically occur with greater intensity in the evening time, or with prolonged periods of not moving such as during car rides or long plane trips. This syndrome often relates to:

  • Low iron levels in the blood
  • Kidney disease
  • Parkinson’s Disease
  • Diabetes
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Caffeine
  • Medications, like some medications that treat mental health problems
  • Problems with the return of blood from the legs back to the heart

Circadian Rhythm Disorders

A mismatch can happen between a person’s internal body clock and the general 24-hour clock. When this happens, a person may fall asleep and wake up too early.

Sleep problems are more likely to happen when people:

  • Have dementia
  • Live in long-term care institutions, like nursing homes
  • Have medical or mental diseases. For example, acid reflux, arthritis, back pain, or depression and anxiety.
  • Take some medications, like water pills or sedatives
  • Have habits, like smoking, getting too much caffeine, or using alcohol

 

Last Updated January 2023

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