You should ask your health care provider whether any of your medications may cause problems with sleep. Also, studies have shown that there is a change in the quantity and quality of sleep for most people over age 65. These changes are due both to normal aging and existing illness. Normal aging includes a general trend toward more time in bed but the same or less time asleep. Older people tend to go to sleep earlier in the evening and wake up for the day earlier in the morning.
People also are more likely to take daytime naps as they grow older.
Older men generally take longer to fall asleep and awaken more frequently than older women. Both sexes awaken briefly more often during the night, with an increase in the lightest and least restful sleep and a decrease in the deepest and most refreshing sleep. Insomnia may be situational, which is temporary, or chronic, which is ongoing. Situational insomnia occurs with a stressful life event. It involves difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep and lasts 3 weeks or less.