The most common reason for this would be because as people get older, sleep patterns tend to change, therefore elderly people usually experience problems with sleeping. This results in them having fragmented periods of sleep which explains why they nod off easily throughout the day. The majority of elderly people will not reach the stages of sleep that put you into a deep slumber as opposed to younger people who regularly experience REM sleep.
Having irregular sleeping patterns can be caused by a number of factors, one of which can be from a medical illness. Conditions that can affect sleep include arthritis, menopause, alzheimer’s, heartburn and heart failure. The reason that these medical conditions may affect sleep patterns is because they can trigger you to wake up during the night and disrupt your deep sleep. In addition, drinking alcohol regularly before you go to bed will affect your sleep rhythm as well as napping during the day.
Another factor you need to consider is the use of various medications. Sometimes the effects of certain medications can disrupt sleep during the night or prevent you from falling asleep easily. Moreover, it is important to understand that with some elderly people, they may experience psychological stress from previous events that occurred in their life, as well as psychiatric disorders. Life changes are the general cause of such disorders which can results in a high level of stress which may prevent them from sleeping. When people retire, daytime activities tend to be reduced which may cause an irregular sleeping pattern especially if naps are taken during the day. Lastly, it is important to remember that certain sleep disorders such as REM behaviour disorder, sleep apnea, periodic movement disorder and restless leg syndrome are likely to occur in elderly people.
Having irregular sleeping patterns can be caused by a number of factors, one of which can be from a medical illness. Conditions that can affect sleep include arthritis, menopause, alzheimer’s, heartburn and heart failure. The reason that these medical conditions may affect sleep patterns is because they can trigger you to wake up during the night and disrupt your deep sleep. In addition, drinking alcohol regularly before you go to bed will affect your sleep rhythm as well as napping during the day.
Another factor you need to consider is the use of various medications. Sometimes the effects of certain medications can disrupt sleep during the night or prevent you from falling asleep easily. Moreover, it is important to understand that with some elderly people, they may experience psychological stress from previous events that occurred in their life, as well as psychiatric disorders. Life changes are the general cause of such disorders which can results in a high level of stress which may prevent them from sleeping. When people retire, daytime activities tend to be reduced which may cause an irregular sleeping pattern especially if naps are taken during the day. Lastly, it is important to remember that certain sleep disorders such as REM behaviour disorder, sleep apnea, periodic movement disorder and restless leg syndrome are likely to occur in elderly people.
