Wandering and restlessness may be a symptoms of the person's anxious search for peace of mind. They may be a sign that the person is frustrated at not being able to express himself or herself. They could also be side effects of drugs the person is taking. Most older people no longer need eight hours of sleep each day. Age brings with it a reduced need for sleep.
Older persons tend to wake up often and to have lighter sleep.
Disturbed sleep may have other direct physical causes. A full bladder, pain or leg cramps will awaken a person. This wandering puts the person at risk of injury. For instance, he or she might fall in the dark. Disturbed sleep has a longer range effect.