From the Guidelines
Older adults experience a significant reduction in deep sleep, comprising stages 3 and 4, also known as slow-wave sleep, as well as increased sleep fragmentation and sleep latency. As people age, their sleep architecture undergoes several changes, with one of the most significant being a reduction in deep sleep, which comprises stages 3 and 4 (also known as slow-wave sleep) 1. Older adults typically experience less time in these restorative sleep stages compared to younger individuals. In contrast to other options, older adults actually tend to experience increased sleep fragmentation (not decreased), meaning they wake up more frequently during the night, and increased sleep latency (taking longer to fall asleep), not decreased as suggested in other options. While there are some changes in REM sleep with aging, the reduction in deep sleep (stages 3 and 4) is more pronounced and consistent. These changes in sleep architecture contribute to why older adults often report feeling less rested despite spending adequate time in bed.
Some key points to consider:
- Older adults experience a reduction in deep sleep, which comprises stages 3 and 4, also known as slow-wave sleep 1.
- Increased sleep fragmentation, meaning waking up more frequently during the night, is common in older adults 1.
- Older adults also experience increased sleep latency, taking longer to fall asleep 1.
- Changes in REM sleep with aging are less pronounced compared to the reduction in deep sleep (stages 3 and 4) 1.
- These changes in sleep architecture contribute to why older adults often report feeling less rested despite spending adequate time in bed 1.
It is essential to note that the most recent and highest-quality study, published in 2021, provides the most relevant evidence for this question 1. The study highlights the importance of considering sleep architecture changes in older adults and their impact on overall sleep quality and restfulness.
From the Research
Changes in Sleep Patterns among Older Adults
- REM sleep diminishes with increasing age 2
- In older adults, most REM sleep occurs at the beginning of the night, unlike younger individuals where REM sleep duration is longer at the end of the night 2
- REM sleep latency decreases with age, particularly in elderly men, likely due to the reduction in slow wave sleep 2
Stage 3 and Stage 4 Sleep
- Slow wave sleep, which includes stages 3 and 4, is remarkably reduced in older adults 3
- The decrease in slow wave sleep is more pronounced in elderly men 2
- Slow wave sleep is essential for physical and intellectual efficiency and normal behavior in young adults, and its reduction may impact these aspects in older adults 3
Sleep Latency
- Sleep latency, or the time it takes to fall asleep, is not explicitly mentioned in the provided studies as increasing or decreasing with age
- However, it is noted that older adults experience an increase in drowsiness and time spent awake after sleep onset 2
Sleep Fragmentation
- Sleep fragmentation, characterized by an increase in the number of sleep stage shifts and awakenings, is a common feature of sleep in older adults 4
- Older adults tend to shift towards superficial sleep stages, leading to increased sleep fragmentation 4
- The stability of non-REM sleep, including slow wave sleep, is decreased in older adults, contributing to sleep fragmentation 5