Sleep Problems in Aging (Ageing) Adults: A Narrative Review

The recent literature on sleep problems in aging (ageing) adults has primarily focused on negative effects as well as risk factors, buffers, and interventions. The sleep problems have typically been self-reported or measured by actigraphy. The prevalence rates for sleep problems starting at age 60 have been variable, ranging from a low of 18% in the UK to a high of 50% in China, a variability that may relate to the type of sleep data and/or cross-cultural variation. Psychological effects have included dissatisfaction with life, unhealthy aging and affective/depressive mood states. Physical effects have included elevated blood pressure, impaired functionality, frailty, comorbidity and immune dysfunction. Cognitive impairment has also resulted from sleep problems, and aging brain biomarkers have included shorter telomere length, reduced gray matter volume and earlier mortality. Psychological risk factors have included meta-cognitive beliefs, worrying, loneliness, poor relationships and depression. Physical risk factors have included inactivity, napping and comorbidity. Buffers/protective factors have included retirement, light exercise, consumption of vegetables and melatonin as a sleep medication. Only a couple interventions could be found in this recent literature on sleep in aging adults including Cognitive Behavior Therapy and exercise. A few potential underlying mechanisms for disturbed sleep in aging