"A Good Night's Sleep?"
Senior Focus - April 1997
Getting a restful night’s sleep can become more of a challenge as we age.
Health problems, prescription medications and sleep disorders are some of the barriers that stand in the way of uninterrupted shut-eye.
Older people are at greater risk of developing certain diseases, which can make sleeping difficult. Many older people with arthritis, for example, may have no difficulty falling asleep, but turning over in bed may waken them during the night. Pulmonary disease, ulcers and heart disease are other conditions that can impact sleep.
Sleep disorder experts at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston say another common obstacle is medications. People over the age of 65 consume one-third of all prescription drugs taken in the U.S., and many, including tranquilizers and anti-depressants, can interfere with sleep.
Sleeping problems do not have to keep you awake. There are steps you can take to help you sleep:
 | Check with your doctor to see if you can take medications at specific times during the day to lessen the drugs’ impact on sleep. |
| Maintain a regular sleep pattern. Going to bed and waking up at the same time each day helps you sleep better. |
| Don’t worry about sleep. Focusing on it will only keep you awake. |
| Exercise in the morning or afternoon. Exercising close to bedtime may disrupt sleep. |
| Don’t nap, unless it is part of your regular sleep schedule. |
| Don’t rely on sleep medications. If taken regularly, these medications can actually make it more difficult to sleep. |
A good night’s sleep is necessary to boost your energy level, improve your concentration and stay mentally alert.
