ABSTRACT
Nearly half of the older adults report difficulty initiating and maintaining sleep. With age, several changes occur that can place one at risk for sleep disturbance including increased prevalence of medical conditions, increased medication use, age-related changes in various circadian rhythms, and environmental and lifestyle changes. Poor sleep results in increased risk of significant morbidity and mortality. Changes in the phasing of the circadian rhythm can develop in older adults, which can cause changes in the timing of the sleep period. Phase advance is common in older patients, causing them to wake up earlier in the morning and get tired earlier in the evening. According to the International Classification of Sleep Disorders, Third Edition, insomnia is defined as a subjective complaint of difficulty initiating sleep, difficulty maintaining sleep, or early morning awakenings that occur at a minimum of 3 nights per week, for 3 months, and are associated with significant daytime consequences.
