Regular activities, like getting out of bed at the same time each day, having lunch at noon or meeting friends for coffee at the same time every day serve as time cues that help regulate the body's internal clock. The danger for bereaved elderly is that when a spouse dies, the survivor may not have the motivation to maintain their same schedule. When these time cues are interrupted, the body clock begins to go out of whack, leading to trouble sleeping, decreased energy, problems concentrating and possibly depression. The researchers are seeking six men or women over the age of 65 who lost their spouse within the past two to three months. Along with the six-month intervention, volunteers will receive three sleep evaluations at UPMC in Oakland, each lasting 72 hours.
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