AARP Eye Center
The More You Age, the Less You Sleep?
By Alejandra Owens, July 25, 2008 10:54 AM
This is a random but interesting article. According to a new study, older folks may not need their Zs as long as than those younger than them. While many might make the misconception that the older you get, the more sleep you need, it looks like healthy adults age 60 and older get an average of 7.5 hours of shuteye compared to an average of 9 hours for their younger counterparts.
"The most parsimonious explanation for our results is that older people need less sleep," said Elizabeth Klerman of Brigham and Women's Hospital & Harvard Medical School. "It's also possible that they sleep less even when given the opportunity for more sleep because of age-related changes in the ability to fall asleep and remain asleep," she added, noting that the new results apply only to healthy individuals taking no medication and having no medical conditions or sleep disorders.
The findings may also help influence treatment for insomnia in older folks. How are your sleeping habits?