Sleep Disorders and the Elderly

About one-third of the older population suffers from insomnia or lack of sleep.
Some of the reasons for sleep disorders are prevalent as we get older. Among them are daytime sleepiness, a condition known as Sleep-Disordered Breathing (SDB), Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS), and Periodic Limb Movement Disorder (PLMD).

More than one half of people older than 64 years who live at home and two thirds of people older than 64 years who reside in a long-term care facility are estimated to have some form of sleep disturbance. Research is concentrating more on sleep disorders in the elderly and coming up with safe solutions for this group of Americans with special needs.