PATTERNS OF SLEEP DISORDERS AND SEDATIVE HYPNOTIC USE IN SENIORS

Adequate sleep is required for good physical and psychological health. Sleep disturbance is common and its prevalence increases with advanci ng age. Physiologically, sleep in elderly adults differs from that in younger adults, both in terms of quantity and quality. Sleep disturban ce in old age may be associated with many physical and psychological c onditions, and less commonly can occur as a primary disturbance. It mu st be distinguished from the understandable but unrealistic expectatio ns of many elderly people that they will sleep for as long and as soun dly as when they were younger. The evaluation of a patient with a slee p disorder requires full medical psychiatric and social histories, men tal state and physical examinations and appropriate investigations. If present, an underlying condition should be treated. Management strate gies for sleep disorders include attention to sleep hygiene, behaviour al treatment and hypnotics. Ideally, a hypnotic should be prescribed f or a limited period and then in the smallest effective dose.