EPA-1635 – Sleep disorders in the elderly

Introduction Sleep is a basic physiological need for the health and well being. Aging brings many changes in sleep holding the advance in age, multiple comorbidities and changes in lifestyle. Objectives Describe the quantity and quality of sleep in the elderly. Methodology Prospective and descriptive study involving 40 people aged over 65. The sleep evaluation was done over a period of four weeks with a sleep diary (daily self-assessment tool of sleep and wakefulness). Results In our study, we found an average of hours of sleep in elderly subjects 8 to 9 hours per day. The sleep time was in 60% of cases before 10 pm and the wake-up time was in 52% cases at or before 6 am. The sleep latency did not exceed 30 min in 68% of cases. Sixty pourcent subjects have had nocturnal awakening for more than an hour. Sleep quality was considered poor by 55% of sujets and disturbance was attributed significantly to somatic diseases. Conclusion Sleep disorders in the elderly are common. The effective treatment must take account of psychological, psychosocial and somatic factors specific to age.