Age-related changes contribute to one's ability to sleep continuously and soundly.
Many older adults have problems sleeping.
With advancing age, some people switch to shorter nights and some to longer ones. Causes of Insomnia Short-term insomnia, lasting up to three weeks, may result from anxiety, nervousness, and physical and mental tension. Typical causes are worries about money, the death of a loved one, marital problems, excessive concern about health, boredom, social isolation, or physical confinement. Long-term insomnia often stems from such health conditions as heart disease, arthritis, diabetes, asthma, chronic sinusitis, epilepsy, ulcers, and depression. Long-term impaired sleep can also be brought on by chronic drug or alcohol use as well as by excessive use of beverages containing caffeine and abuse of sleeping pills.