SLEEP IN AGING

Sleep-related complaints, particularly insomnia and wakefulness at nig ht, are common. The causes are multiple, and include normal, if not id eal, changes in sleep stages and organization with age. The prevalence of sleep disorders is also known to increase with advancing age. Thes e factors are even more exaggerated in the sleep of older individuals who suffer from dementia, and may account for nocturnal agitation in t his group.