Gina Johnson
There is a common misconception that older people need less sleep. However, this may not be true. While it is typical for people to sleep fewer hours in middle age than in their 20s or 30s, it is not because their sleep requirements have diminished. Instead, it could be due to various issues associated with ageing, such as physical ailments or changes in circadian rhythms.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Recommended sleep for adults up to 64 years old | 7-9 hours |
| Recommended sleep for adults over 65 years old | 7-8 hours |
| Average sleep for 60-72-year-olds | 7.5 hours |
| Average sleep for 18-32-year-olds | 9 hours |
| Sleep requirements diminish with age | No |
| The elderly need less sleep | May not be true |
| Cognitive behavioural interventions for sleep problems in adults over 60 | Can be effective |
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What You'll Learn
Sleep requirements don't diminish with age
This is further supported by a review of the literature on sleep and ageing by Simpson, who found that while older people do get less sleep, it is not because they need less. Instead, their sleep is often disrupted by various issues associated with ageing, such as joint pain or heart trouble.
Additionally, a 2008 study conducted at Brigham Women's Hospital in the US found that 60-to-72-year-olds slept for an average of 7.5 hours each day, while 18-to-32-year-olds slept for almost nine hours. This suggests that older adults may actually need more sleep, not less.
Furthermore, an expert panel convened by the National Sleep Foundation in the US recommends seven-to-nine hours of sleep a night for adults up to the age of 64 and seven-to-eight hours for those over 65. While there may be changes in the processes underlying circadian rhythms as we age, it is not yet clear whether older people need less sleep.
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Kids need more sleep than adults
It is recommended that adults get between seven to nine hours of quality sleep each night. However, children require more sleep, and the amount of sleep they need can differ depending on their age. The National Sleep Foundation recommends that teens get eight to ten hours of sleep a night, while younger children require even more. This is because children are still growing and developing, both physically and mentally. Adequate rest and recovery are essential for their proper development.
Children who don't get the right amount of quality sleep are more likely to have behavioural problems at school. Sleep allows the body to repair cells and helps children feel rejuvenated when they wake up. As they sleep, their bodies release growth hormones that help regenerate their bones, tissue, and muscles. It also helps them maintain a healthy weight and reduces the risk of obesity and other harmful physical health issues.
While it is a common notion that older people need less sleep, this may not be true. According to one expert, older people may get less sleep due to issues related to ageing, such as physical pain or discomfort, rather than needing less sleep.
Therefore, while the amount of sleep a person needs may change throughout their life, it is clear that children need more sleep than adults to support their growth and development.
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Sleep problems in adults over 60
Sleep problems are common in older adults, with an estimated 40-70% of older adults experiencing chronic sleep issues. While it is a common misconception that older people need less sleep, this is not necessarily true. Older people may get less sleep due to issues such as pain and discomfort, caffeine, alcohol, smoking, and medications. Sleep in older adults is also less deep and more fragmented than in younger people.
The National Sleep Foundation recommends seven to nine hours of sleep a night for adults up to the age of 64 and seven to eight hours for those over 65. However, it is not uncommon for people to sleep fewer hours in middle age than in their 20s or 30s and report feeling fine.
Older adults may experience sleep disturbances due to changes in their body's natural internal clock, causing them to fall asleep earlier in the evening. They may also experience sleep problems due to long-term diseases such as heart failure, depression, anxiety, diabetes, and conditions causing discomfort and pain, such as arthritis.
Cognitive behavioural interventions have been found to be effective in treating sleep problems in adults over 60 and are worth considering as an alternative to sleeping pills.
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The elderly get less sleep but don't necessarily need less
It is a common misconception that older people need less sleep. While it is true that many people sleep fewer hours in middle age than in their 20s or 30s, and report feeling fine, this does not mean that their sleep requirements have diminished. In fact, according to Dr. Leila Kheirandish-Gozal, director of clinical sleep research at the University of Chicago, a person's sleep requirements do not diminish with age.
This is supported by a 2008 study conducted at Brigham Women's Hospital in the US, which found that 60-to-72-year-olds slept for an average of 7.5 hours each day, while 18-to-32-year-olds slept for almost nine hours. Additionally, an expert panel convened by the National Sleep Foundation in the US recommends seven-to-nine-hours sleep a night for adults up to the age of 64 and seven-to-eight hours for the over 65s.
However, it is important to note that the sleep patterns of older adults may be influenced by various factors, such as health issues or changes in circadian rhythms. Indeed, a review of cognitive behavioural interventions for sleep problems in adults over the age of 60 found that these interventions can be effective in improving sleep quality.
Overall, while older adults may get less sleep, it is not necessarily because they need less sleep. Rather, it may be due to a variety of factors that impact their sleep quality and duration.
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Circadian rhythms change as we age
There is a general notion that older people need less sleep, but this may not be true. While it is common for people to sleep fewer hours in middle age than during their 20s or 30s, it is not because their sleep requirements diminish with age. Instead, their sleep may be frustrated by issues of ageing, such as a bad hip, a sore back, heart trouble, or a knee that’s out of whack.
The National Sleep Foundation recommends seven to nine hours of sleep a night for adults up to the age of 64 and seven to eight hours for the over 65s. However, a 2008 study found that 60-to-72-year-olds slept for an average of 7.5 hours each day, while 18-to-32-year-olds managed almost nine hours.
While it is not yet possible to say whether it is a myth that older people need less sleep, it is clear that changes in the processes underlying circadian rhythms occur as we age. For example, a Cochrane review of cognitive behavioural interventions for sleep problems in adults over the age of 60 found that these interventions can be effective and are worth consideration by doctors as an alternative to sleeping pills.
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Frequently asked questions
The National Sleep Foundation recommends that teens get eight to ten hours of sleep a night.
Yes, adults need less sleep than teens.
The National Sleep Foundation recommends seven-to-nine-hours sleep a night for adults up to the age of 64 and seven-to-eight hours for the over 65s.
There is a general notion that the elderly need less sleep, but this may not be true. A 2008 study found that 60-to-72-year-olds slept for an average of 7.5 hours each day, while 18-to-32-year-olds slept for almost nine hours.
This is not because their sleep requirements diminish with age.
