The ability to sleep naturally decreases as we age…
We know: sleep needs vary from one person to another. Some people need 9 hours of sleep to be in good shape, while for others 6 hours is enough. Age is also a parameter that comes into account. “The natural aging process impacts the sleep pattern and as a result, the ability to sleep naturally decreases as we age.“, immediately reminds us of Dr. Marc Rey, neurologist and President of the National Institute of Sleep and Vigilance (INSV).
From the age of 60-65, the person is generally retired and has less activity during the day. It is therefore logical that she needs “less” sleep to recover. Also, seniors tend to take naps mid-day, which will naturally reduce the amount of sleep they get during the night. Their sleep time can also be reduced due to health problems (sleep apnea, respiratory problems, cataracts, insomnia, neurodegenerative diseases, cognitive disorders, chronic pain, etc.), taking medications or changes in living conditions. life (for example, living and/or sleeping alone, assisted living, specialized nursing care, bereavement…)
Also the sleep rhythm changes: older people tend to go to bed earlier (generally between 10:30 p.m. and 11 p.m.) and get up earlier. It is not uncommon to see seniors getting up naturally before 7 a.m. But then, is there an ideal sleep duration as we age? “In theory, there are no specific times at which to go to bed and get up to be in great shape, replies our interlocutor. This will depend on personal needs, activity level or “profile” (if you are a heavy sleeper, a short sleeper, etc.). It is estimated that you need roughly 5 to 6 complete sleep cycles of 1h30 to be in good shape (i.e. between 7h30 and 9h of sleep), but 4 sleep cycles can be enough after 60 years (i.e. 6 hours of sleep, see the diagram opposite)”.
As a reminder, insufficient or poor quality sleep contributes to a higher risk of physical and mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, dementia, obesity, hypertension, cardiovascular disease and stroke. in the elderly. It is also associated with impaired physical and cognitive functioning, more frequent falls and poor quality of life in general.