Sleep in aging

Biologic brain functions

responsible for sleep
 Regulation of sleep an wakefulness occurs
primarily in the hypothalamus, which contains
both sleep center and a wakefulness center.
 Sleep is a state of consciousness
characterized by the physiologic changes of
reduced blood pressure, pulse rate, and
respiratory rate along with a decreased
response to external stimuli.
 Stages of Sleep
 Step 1 of NREM sleep is the lightest level of
sleep.
 Stage 1, an individual can be easily
awakened. Sleep progressively deepens
during stage 2 and stage 3.
 Stage 4, the deepest level is reached. Muscle
tone, pulse, blood pressure, and respiratory
rate are reduced in stage 4
 Stages of Sleep
The REM of stage 4 is associated with
dreaming
When the amount of REM sleep is
reduced the individual may have trouble
concentrating maybe irritable or
anxious the next day (Gordon, 2013).
 Insomnia
Insomnia, or the inability to sleep.
Insomnia include difficulty falling
asleep
Difficulty staying asleep
Frequent nocturnal awakenings
Early morning awakenings
Daytime somnolence
 Insomnia
 Transient insomnia lasts only a few nights
and is related to situational stress
 Short-term insomnia usually lasts less than
a month and is related to acute medical
conditions.
 Chronic insomnia lasts more than a month
and is related to age-related changes in
sleep, medical, or psychological conditions,
or environmental factors
 Age Related Changes in Sleep
Increased sleep latency
Reduced sleep efficiency
Increased nocturnal awakenings
Increased early morning
awakenings
Increased daytime sleepiness
Proper sleep is essential for a
person’s sense of well being and
health.
A goodnight’s sleep is described as
one that refreshes, restores, and
leaves a person ready for the
coming day’s activities.
 Environment
Environment can positively or negatively influence a
person’s quality and amount sleep. For older adults,
environments conductive to sleep include low levels
of stimuli, dimmed lights, silence, and comfort
furniture
 Home Environments
 Hospitals and Long-Term Care Facilities
 Noise
 Lighting
 Temperature
 Factors that Influence Sleep
Quality
Pain and discomfort
Lifestyle changes
Dietary influences
Depression
Dementia and Disturbed Sleep
Sleep Apnea
Periodic Limb Movement in Sleep
 Non pharmacological
Therapies to Promote Sleep

Stimulus control therapy

Sleep restriction therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy