Seniors need about seven to nine hours per night, but it may be harder for seniors to get the sleep they need.

Many seniors have problems sleeping because of health conditions or medications. Some common senior health issues that can prevent you from getting healthy sleep include:
•Side effects of prescription medications
•Chronic pain, often from health conditions like arthritis
•Depression
•Alcohol consumption
•Not getting enough exercise
•Snoring
•Alzheimer’s disease or a neurological problem

Some seniors fall asleep slowly and awaken frequently; many seniors have trouble falling asleep.

While sleep patterns do change as people age, having trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, and waking up tired every day are not typical side effects of aging.

Common symptoms of sleep disorders are:
•Having trouble falling asleep
•Waking up very early in the morning
•Inability to tell night from day
•Frequent waking in the night
•Caffeine consumption
•Frequent urination during the night

Don’t accept fatigue and poor sleep as part of getting older. Talk to your doctor if you still can’t find a way to sleep through the night.

Westmoreland County Area Agency on Aging Information Line
200 South Main St
Greensburg, PA 15601
Contact: Beverly Trovato
Ph: (724) 830-4444
Toll Free: 1 (800) 442-8000