From Fortune Magazine:

Research presented at the Gerontological Society of America conference in November 2023 underscores the importance of good quality sleep in aging adults. While most older people still need about seven hours of sleep per night, age-related sleep disruptions can lead to cognitive decline and contribute to conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. Chronic pain, medication side effects, and other conditions can affect the quantity and quality of sleep. Women may be more sensitive to sleep disruptions than men, and potential hormonal links to sleep quality and gender differences in sleep health are being investigated. A study of 820 older adults found that those with greater sleep fragmentation had significantly greater odds of cognitive impairment. In addition to standard advice for better sleep, researchers suggest working with a health provider to address sleep problems, considering cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia symptoms, and prioritizing sleep health as a critical element of overall health.

Many older adults experience disrupted sleep due to various factors, including chronic pain, medication side effects, and other age-related conditions. Researchers are increasingly linking poor sleep with cognitive decline and conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. In a recent study, participants with greater sleep fragmentation had higher odds of cognitive impairment. Women may be more sensitive to sleep disruptions than men, and potential hormonal links to sleep quality and gender differences in sleep health are being investigated. Researchers suggest prioritizing sleep health as an important aspect of overall health and working with a healthcare provider to address sleep problems using cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia symptoms.

Sleep disruptions are common among older adults, with factors such as chronic pain, medication side effects, and other age-related conditions contributing to poor quality sleep. Studies are increasingly linking poor sleep with cognitive decline, Alzheimer’s disease, and dementia, and researchers have found that people with greater sleep fragmentation have higher odds of cognitive impairment. Women may be more sensitive to sleep disruptions than men, and potential hormonal links to sleep quality and gender differences in sleep health are being investigated. Researchers suggest prioritizing sleep health as a critical element of overall health and working with healthcare providers to address sleep problems using cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia symptoms.

Many older adults suffer from disrupted sleep due to factors such as chronic pain, medication side effects, and other age-related conditions. Recent research presented at the Gerontological Society of America conference in November 2023 highlights the importance of good quality sleep for cognitive health. In addition to standard advice for better sleep, researchers suggest working with healthcare providers to address sleep problems and prioritizing sleep health as a critical element of overall health. Women may be more sensitive to sleep disruptions than men, and potential hormonal links to sleep quality and gender differences are being investigated. A study of 820 older adults found that those with greater sleep fragmentation had significantly greater odds of cognitive impairment, highlighting the importance of addressing sleep disruptions for overall cognitive health in aging adults.



Read more: Getting good quality sleep as you age is key for a healthy brain. These 4 strategies can help