Sleep and geriatrics
41 important questions on Sleep and geriatrics
What are the main changes in human sleep characteristics that occur with ageing?
- The circadian system and sleep regulation become less robust.
- Changes include:
- Decreased total sleep time (TST)
- Decreased sleep efficiency
- Increased sleep fragmentation
How does ageing impact sleep electro-physiology?
- Decreased slow-wave activity indicating shallower sleep
- Reduced density of fast spindles during non-rapid eye movement sleep
- Changes affecting synaptic plasticity and memory consolidation
What limitations are associated with self-reported sleep quality in the elderly?
- Polymorbidity complicating data reliability
- Expectation discrepancies between age groups
- Tools like PSQI relying on subjective input
- Higher grades + faster learning
- Never study anything twice
- 100% sure, 100% understanding
For my 1st exam, I got a C. Then, I started looking for ways to learn better, and I came across Study Smart. Since then, I have scored an A+, A, A-, and another A. I highly recommend it to everyone who wants to hear it. I am so happy with it!!
I was struggling to finish all my first-year subjects for three years. Then I discovered Study Smart, which helped me to complete all of them within three months.
Because of StudySmart, things are going well in many ways. Before, I always had study stress and no time for anything. Now I feel calm and confident (because of the program). I used to score a B, and now I usually score an A or A+.
Hey Chris, I really want to thank you very much for developing the platform, I usually got around C for my exams, now I scored an A+, an A and a A- !!
Since using Study Smart, my average has increased significantly. I even completed a statistics course with an A+ while I'm bad at statistics. I took on extra classes this year because of Study Smart. Thanks so much!
Ever since I started studying with StudySmart, I have passed all my exams! No more re-sits! At first, I was happy with a pass, and now I only get good grades. Many thanks!
I aced all the courses I studied with Study Smart. For law, I first scored a D, and now an A! I’m 100% sure that I’ll pass all the courses I study with Study Smart.
I always thought I studied well. My grades were fine. I could never have imagined that applying these study skills would have such a huge and direct impact on each stage, my speed, and the pleasure I have in learning.
For the first time, I finally feel confident about the way I learn. I have the perfect overview and have made significant progress in terms of speed and the grades I get. Thanks, Chris!
I immediately started to enjoy learning again, and my grades soared. All of a sudden, everything went better. I highly recommend Study Smart to all students..
Being able to create my materials online made the process of studying so much smoother and quicker. I no longer have to spend a considerable amount of my time developing my summaries.
At first, my notes were a mess. Now I use Study Smart to take my notes in a perfectly structured way. It helps me to save a lot of time and do other things I enjoy.
Students that study with Study Smart get better grades. The system applies all the learning methods so that both well-performing students and students who struggle perform much better.
Hi Chris, I would like to thank you very much. Last year I scored C on a course, and this year I got an A+ thanks to your method! Thank you very much!
The most considerable effect is that my child is more enthusiastic about school! Every parent wants their children to be happy at school. Study Smart made it happen.
In high school, I failed several exams, and that has really changed now. I actually needed this tool very much back then. Since I started studying with StudySmart, I haven't had any Ds. My average score is now an A, and those are results I would have never had in the past.
With my old method, I passed only 3 out of 8 courses. However, since I started taking my notes digitally in Study Smart, I have passed all my lessons on the first try. For me, StudySmart takes away the stress of wondering if I will give or not.
Thanks to StudySmart, I passed all my exams and with better grades than before! On top of that, I have mastered a perfect study method now, which I am confident will help me earn my degree.
How do total sleep time and sleep efficiency change with age?
- Roughly 10 minutes per decade decrease
- Sleep efficiency declines similarly
- Wake after sleep onset (WASO) more than doubles post-65
What neurophysiological pathways are linked to age-related sleep changes?
- Decreased amplitude and density of slow waves
- More frequent periodic limb movements during sleep
- Cyclic alternating patterns leading to fragmented sleep
In what ways does sleep quality relate to cognitive health in older adults?
- Changes in sleep quality can indicate neurodegenerative diseases
- Sleep variations can precede cognitive impairment
- Sleep disturbances affect brain health
How does daytime sleep affect older adults?
- Favourable effects by improving total sleep
- Negative effects when excessive
- Implications for overall sleep quality through flexibility post-retirement
What are the main characteristics of human sleep changes with ageing?
- Blunted circadian system
- Decreased total sleep time
- Decreased sleep efficiency
- Increased sleep fragmentation
How does sleep architecture evolve with aging?
- Tendency to phase advance
- Decreased total sleep time
- Reduced sleep efficiency
- Increased sleep fragmentation
What electrophysiological changes occur in sleep with age?
- Decreased slow-wave activity
- Reduced density of fast spindles
- Fewer K-complexes during non-rapid eye movement sleep
- Potential impacts on synaptic plasticity
How do men and women differ in their sleep patterns?
- Distinct hormonal signalling
- Men's and women's sleep architectures vary
- Women generally have a longer sleep onset latency
- Variations in total sleep time between genders
How does sleep quality relate to cognitive health in the elderly?
- Poor sleep quality may lead to cognitive impairment
- Subtle sleep variations can indicate neurodegenerative diseases
- Sleep alterations often go unnoticed without complaints
Why might older adults complain less about sleep quality compared to younger adults?
- Tolerance to gradual sleep changes
- Lower expectations for sleep quality
- Increased flexibility for daytime naps after retirement
- Lack of complaints despite objective disturbances
What are some limitations of subjective sleep complaints in older adults?
- Reliance on self-report data
- Challenges from polymorbidity
- Potential bias in assessment tools like PSQI
- Difficulty separating sleep issues from health problems
What are the expected changes in total sleep time (TST) with age?
- An expected decrease of about 10 minutes per decade
- Minimal changes between ages of 60 and 80
- Uncertainty in over 80 years due to data scarcity
How does sleep efficiency change with age?
- Lower percentage of time asleep while in bed
- Similar decline to total sleep time
- Increased feelings of tiredness due to less effective sleep
What influences wake after sleep onset (WASO) in the elderly?
- More fragmented sleep in older adults
- Doubles for those >65 compared to early adulthood
- Reflects difficulties in maintaining sleep
What happens to the arousal index with ageing?
- Increased interruptions of sleep
- Direct association with fragmentation
- Affects the quality of rest
How do daytime naps impact sleep quality in older adults?
- Improve total sleep amount over 24 hours
- Provide benefits, but can have negative effects in certain scenarios
- Help mitigate sleep deprivation issues
What are the common diagnostic issues associated with sleep disorders in the elderly?
- Medical factors
- Pharmacological factors
- Mental health issues
- Social factors
- Chronicity and duration of symptoms
- Daytime sleepiness
- Sleep patterns
What are some common somatic comorbidities leading to sleep disorders in the elderly?
- Chronic obstructive airway disease
- Diabetes mellitus
- Renal failure
- Hypertension
- Arthritis
- Stroke
- Visual impairment
How does sleep disordered breathing (SDB) prevalence change with age?
- Estimated between 20% and 63%
- Factors affecting prevalence include:
- Examination methods
- Scoring criteria
What are common symptoms associated with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) in the elderly?
- Intermittent nocturnal hypoxia
- Sleep fragmentation
- Excessive daytime sleepiness
- Associated risks include:
- Mortality
- Cognitive impairment
What are key management strategies for restless legs syndrome (RLS) in older individuals?
- Lifestyle modifications (e.g., avoiding alcohol)
- Reducing iatrogenic factors
- Maintaining high-normal peripheral iron stores
- Pharmacotherapy tailored for age-related risks
How is sleep latency and sleep architecture affected in dementia patients?
- Prolonged sleep latency
- Decreased slow-wave sleep
- Increased daytime sleep episodes
- Frequent night-time awakenings
- Worsening neuropsychiatric symptoms such as agitation
What role does melatonin play in sleep disorders among the elderly?
- May have neuroprotective effects
- Decreases with age
- Particularly low in Alzheimer’s patients
- Affected by neurodegenerative changes
What factors increase the risk of cognitive impairment related to sleep disorders?
- Mid- and late-life insomnia
- Daytime sleepiness
- Long sleep duration
- Night-time sleep disruption
- Cardiovascular disease history
What are the consequences of irregular sleep-wake rhythm disorder (ISWRD) in dementia patients?
- Rapid cognitive deterioration
- Increased hospitalization rates
- Higher home placement rates
- Symptoms such as anxiety and agitation
- 50% of dementia cases may develop ISWRD
What factors contribute to sleep disorders in the elderly?
- Somatic comorbidities (like diabetes, arthritis)
- Polypharmacy (medication side effects)
- Mental factors (such as anxiety, depression)
- Social dimensions (loneliness, care activities)
What symptoms indicate the presence of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) in the elderly?
- Daytime sleepiness
- Irregular breathing during sleep
- Apnea-hypopnea index
- Cognitive impairment
How is RLS (Restless Legs Syndrome) characterized in older adults?
- Significant discomfort in legs, occurring at least twice a week
- Increased risk of falls due to nocturnal wandering
- Periodic limb movement disorder is commonly associated
What treatments are suggested for insomnia in elderly patients?
- Pharmacological interventions
- Non-pharmacological interventions
- Consideration for underlying pathology
- Chronotherapy
What sleep characteristics change with age?
- Increased sleep latency
- Reduced total sleep time
- Reduced sleep efficiency
- Frequent nocturnal awakenings
What role does polysomnography play in diagnosing sleep disorders in the elderly?
- Providing objective quantification of sleep problems
- Supporting psychoeducation for patients
- Assisting in identifying nocturnal hypoxia
How does obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) impact elderly individuals?
- Intermittent nocturnal hypoxia
- Sleep fragmentation
- Increased risks for:
- Stroke
- - Cardiac failure
- - Cognitive impairment
What is the relationship between sleep disorders and dementia?
- Bidirectional
- Increased risk of dementia from disrupted sleep
- Sleep disorders can worsen cognitive decline
Which patient behaviors should be observed for RLS in elderly patients?
- Rubbing or groaning
- Excessive motor activity (kicking, pacing)
- Inability to verbalize symptoms
What lifestyle modifications can help manage RLS in older adults?
- Avoidance of alcohol
- Moderate physical exercise
- Reducing iatrogenic factors (stimulants)
What are some common comorbid conditions related to sleep problems in the elderly?
- Chronic obstructive airway disease
- Cardiovascular diseases
- Diabetes mellitus
- Arthritis
What implications does sleep disturbance have for caregivers of elderly individuals?
- Increased caregiver burden
- Higher rates of hospital admissions
- Greater need for residential care
How does melatonin affect elderly patients with sleep disorders?
- Decreases with age
- Low levels associated with Alzheimer’s dementia
- Potential neuroprotective effects highlighted
The question on the page originate from the summary of the following study material:
- A unique study and practice tool
- Never study anything twice again
- Get the grades you hope for
- 100% sure, 100% understanding
