Series Examines Sleep Issues Among Older Adults

An ongoing series of continuing education articles created by the National Sleep Foundation's Congress on Sleep, Health, and Aging continued in the March 1, 2004, issue of Geriatrics. This 3rd article in the series looked at the effects of medical disorders on sleep in the older patient. The researchers noted that older adults many times experience sleep disturbances; however, most neglect to mention them to their physicians. Older adults tend to think that sleep problems are part of getting older. "On the contrary," said the authors, "sleep complaints in older adults are often the result of medical or psychiatric illnesses that can be managed, resulting in a return to restful sleep."