Sleep Problems in Older Adults: Habits, Symptoms and Getting Help

By Silver Sitters

Persistent trouble sleeping deserves attention rather than being dismissed as normal aging. Older adults generally need about seven to nine hours of sleep. If poor sleep affects daily life, a healthcare professional can help identify causes and suitable treatment.

Describe the problem clearly

Keep a short sleep diary with bedtimes, waking times, naps and daytime sleepiness. Note caffeine, alcohol, exercise and medicines. Bring it to an appointment, along with questions about pain, nighttime waking or difficulty returning to sleep. A diary helps the assessment; it does not diagnose a disorder by itself.

Watch for breathing-related symptoms

Loud frequent snoring, pauses in breathing or waking while gasping can be signs of sleep apnea. Excessive daytime sleepiness may also be a symptom. Tell the clinician about these changes; a sleep study may be needed. Do not assume that a new pillow or stricter bedtime schedule will treat a breathing disorder.

Support a regular routine

Try consistent sleep and waking times and a quiet, comfortable bedroom. Discuss daytime activity, naps and substances that may disrupt sleep. Alcohol may make falling asleep easier but can fragment sleep later. Avoid turning bedtime into pressure to fall asleep within a fixed number of minutes.

Ask about treatment instead of adding sleep products

For long-term insomnia, cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia, or CBT-I, is usually the first treatment recommended. It is a structured treatment rather than just a list of bedtime tips. Ask whether it is appropriate and how to access it.

Review medicines and supplements with the clinician before adding an over-the-counter sleep aid. Products that cause drowsiness are not automatically safe for older adults. Treatment should match the cause and take other health conditions into account.

How family members can help

Offer to help record symptoms or arrange an appointment if the person wants assistance. Respect their preferred routine and discuss overnight support needs openly. Families in Broward County can plan practical help while the clinical team addresses ongoing sleep problems.