Sleep disorders in the elderly

The incidence of steep disorders increases with age, about 20% of the women and 10% of the men > 75 years of age suffer from sleep disorders. Sleep has an important impact on subjective well-being and quality of life, sleep disorders are associated with medical diseases and earlier death. As a consequence of frequent sleep disorders, the prescription rate of hypnotics increases with age and lies between 10% and 15% in the elderly. Numerous factors may disturb sleep in the elderly. Frequent somatic and psychiatric diseases in the older population can significantly be associated with sleep disorders, a concomitant depression is known to be the main predictor. Consequences of sleep disorders in the elderly are manifold. The present paper gives an overview of the most frequent reasons of sleep disorders in older age, their influence on life expectancy, general health, and quality of life as well as possible treatment strategies.