Does it really take more energy to bounce back from poor sleep or insomnia when we age? For some, this is partly true, because our bodies need more time to recover from a hard day of work as we continue to mature and age. Since our bodies spend a lot of time "recovering" from the rigors of our day while asleep, it is important we all get good quality sleep no matter how old we are. When people begin having sleeping problems night after night, insomnia becomes an important concern, one that every person should address, regardless of how old they are. You should understand what the primary signs and symptoms of insomnia are among older adults or those aged 65 and older so you can address and treat them sooner than later. That way you provide your body with the best possible odds of combating insomnia before it becomes a chronic sleep problem.
The signs and symptoms of insomnia among elderly people are similar to those experienced by others.
Common Signs and Symptoms of Insomnia in Older Adults:
- Having a hard time falling asleep
- Waking more frequently at night than normal
- Having longer periods of wakefulness at night
- Feeling like your are awake when you are actually lightly sleeping
While the insomnia symptoms are similar to those experienced by others, older adults often report that insomnia is harder to cope with, because as you age your internal sleep clock tends to shift, causing you person to feel tired earlier, go to bed earlier, and then wake earlier in the morning. Do you know the exact amount of sleep you need to prevent insomnia? Probably not, but don't worry; most people don't. It is not uncommon for someone to report feeling confusion when they wake. For example, an older adult may wake up and not know whether it is daytime or night time.
While this may seem like something small, it can become rather discomforting and even quite frightening, especially for older people living at home alone. No one likes to feel like they are "out" of control, even if that feeling only lasts for a moment or so. Not knowing where you are when you wake is just one of many common signs or effects of insomnia among older adults.
If you find you are having more than one of the signs or symptoms of insomnia listed above, make sure you take some time to write them down. Start a sleep journal or keep a notebook by the bed where you can write down the following information:
- what time you go to bed
- what time you wake at night if you wake
- how often you wake
- how long it takes you to fall/get back to sleep
- any factors that may have contributed to your sleep loss (like foods you ate or drinking too much alcohol, which can impair your sleep ability)
- how many hours of sleep you get on average
- how many hours of sleep it takes for you to feel refreshed when you wake
- how you feel when you wake up/whether you feel confused, refreshed, depressed etc.
The more you begin to learn about your own symptoms of insomnia, the better prepared your doctor will be to diagnose and treat your sleeping problem or sleep disorder whether it is insomnia or not. Remember, the earlier you recognize insomnia signs the sooner you can get treatment for sleeping problems and start enjoying the sleep you deserve.