Not only that, but the quality of an elderly person's sleep is different too. One major difference is that there is less deep sleep as one ages. More awakenings and lighter sleep lead to daytime sleepiness. This helps to explain why the elderly tend to nod off or take naps in the middle of the day. Because they sleep less at night and more during the day, the internal clock of the elderly person often loses track of time.
Older individuals tend to go to sleep early and also wake up early.
This could be greatly influenced by the changes which take place upon retirement. Many elderly individuals who do not have regular activities and daily routines tend to nap or rest more, leading to a more erratic sleep-wake schedule. Timing regular meals, social activities and bedtimes could help lead to some improvement and get the internal clock back on track again. Finally, it is important that elderly people obtain as much exposure to light during waking hours as possible. Nursing homes and intensive care units often have less natural lighting and time cues.