Sleep disorders are highly prevalent among the geriatric population and significantly affect physical health, mental well-being, cognitive functioning, and quality of life. Physiological aging, the presence of long-term medical conditions, multiple medication use, and various psychosocial influences all play a significant role in the high prevalence of sleep problems among older adults. Frequently observed sleep disorders in this population include insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome, disturbances in circadian rhythm, and persistent daytime drowsiness. Prompt recognition and timely intervention are critical to reducing the risk of adverse outcomes such as falls, mood disorders, cardiovascular complications, and reduced ability to perform everyday activities. This review consolidates current research on prevalent sleep disorders affecting the elderly, with particular emphasis on reliable assessment methods and evidence-based management approaches. It highlights widely used and validated screening tools, including the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Epworth Sleepiness Scale, Insomnia Severity Index, and actigraphy, which support accurate evaluation and guide appropriate clinical care. Both pharmacological and non-pharmacological management strategies are reviewed, with emphasis on sleep hygiene, cognitive behavioral therapy, lifestyle modification, and nursing interventions. The review highlights the critical role of nurses and caregivers in assessment, education, and holistic sleep care for older adults.

Keywords:Sleep disorders, geriatric population, insomnia, sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, circadian rhythm disorders, sleep assessment tools

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1. Foley DJ, Monjan AA, Brown SL, Simonsick EM, Wallace RB, Blazer DG. Sleep complaints among elderly persons: An epidemiologic study of three communities. Sleep. 1995;18(6):425–32. doi: 1093/sleep/18.6.425.
2. Ancoli-Israel S. Sleep and its disorders in aging populations. Sleep Med. 2009;10 Suppl 1:S7–11. doi: 1016/j.sleep.2009.07.004.
3. Buysse DJ, Reynolds CF 3rd, Monk TH, Berman SR, Kupfer DJ. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index: A new instrument for psychiatric practice and research. Psychiatry Res. 1989;28(2):193–213. doi: 1016/0165-1781(89)90047–4.
4. Johns MW. A new method for measuring daytime sleepiness: The Epworth sleepiness scale. Sleep. 1991;14(6):540–5. doi: 1093/sleep/14.6.540.
5. Bastien CH, Vallières A, Morin CM. Validation of the Insomnia Severity Index as an outcome measure for insomnia research. Sleep Med. 2001;2(4):297–307. doi: 1016/s1389-9457(00) 00065-4.
6. Bloom HG, Ahmed I, Alessi CA, Ancoli-Israel S, Buysse DJ, Kryger MH, et al. Evidence-based recommendations for the assessment and management of sleep disorders in older persons. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2009;57(5):761–89. doi: 1111/j.1532-5415.2009.02220.x.
7. Morin CM, Benca R. Chronic insomnia. Lancet. 2012;379(9821):1129–41. doi: 1016/S0140-6736(11)60750-2.
8. Vitiello MV. Sleep disorders and aging: Understanding the causes. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 1997;52(4):M189–91. doi: 1093/gerona/52a.4.m189.
9. Ancoli-Israel S, Martin JL, Blackwell T, Buenaver L, Liu L, Meltzer LJ, et al. The SBSM guide to actigraphy monitoring: Clinical and research applications. Behav Sleep Med. 2015;13 Suppl 1:S4–S38. doi: 1080/15402002.2015.1046356.
10. Integrated Care for Older People: Guidelines on Community-Level Interventions to Manage Declines in Intrinsic Capacity. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2017. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK488250/.

Sleep disorders are highly prevalent among the geriatric population and significantly affect physical health, mental well-being, cognitive functioning, and quality of life. Physiological aging, the presence of long-term medical conditions, multiple medication use, and various psychosocial influences all play a significant role in the high prevalence of sleep problems among older adults. Frequently observed sleep disorders in this population include insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome, disturbances in circadian rhythm, and persistent daytime drowsiness. Prompt recognition and timely intervention are critical to reducing the risk of adverse outcomes such as falls, mood disorders, cardiovascular complications, and reduced ability to perform everyday activities. This review consolidates current research on prevalent sleep disorders affecting the elderly, with particular emphasis on reliable assessment methods and evidence-based management approaches. It highlights widely used and validated screening tools, including the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Epworth Sleepiness Scale, Insomnia Severity Index, and actigraphy, which support accurate evaluation and guide appropriate clinical care. Both pharmacological and non-pharmacological management strategies are reviewed, with emphasis on sleep hygiene, cognitive behavioral therapy, lifestyle modification, and nursing interventions. The review highlights the critical role of nurses and caregivers in assessment, education, and holistic sleep care for older adults.

Keywords:Sleep disorders, geriatric population, insomnia, sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, circadian rhythm disorders, sleep assessment tools

🔒 This is a subscription article

Full text is available to subscribers and institutional members. Please choose an option below to access it.

1. Foley DJ, Monjan AA, Brown SL, Simonsick EM, Wallace RB, Blazer DG. Sleep complaints among elderly persons: An epidemiologic study of three communities. Sleep. 1995;18(6):425–32. doi: 1093/sleep/18.6.425.
2. Ancoli-Israel S. Sleep and its disorders in aging populations. Sleep Med. 2009;10 Suppl 1:S7–11. doi: 1016/j.sleep.2009.07.004.
3. Buysse DJ, Reynolds CF 3rd, Monk TH, Berman SR, Kupfer DJ. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index: A new instrument for psychiatric practice and research. Psychiatry Res. 1989;28(2):193–213. doi: 1016/0165-1781(89)90047–4.
4. Johns MW. A new method for measuring daytime sleepiness: The Epworth sleepiness scale. Sleep. 1991;14(6):540–5. doi: 1093/sleep/14.6.540.
5. Bastien CH, Vallières A, Morin CM. Validation of the Insomnia Severity Index as an outcome measure for insomnia research. Sleep Med. 2001;2(4):297–307. doi: 1016/s1389-9457(00) 00065-4.
6. Bloom HG, Ahmed I, Alessi CA, Ancoli-Israel S, Buysse DJ, Kryger MH, et al. Evidence-based recommendations for the assessment and management of sleep disorders in older persons. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2009;57(5):761–89. doi: 1111/j.1532-5415.2009.02220.x.
7. Morin CM, Benca R. Chronic insomnia. Lancet. 2012;379(9821):1129–41. doi: 1016/S0140-6736(11)60750-2.
8. Vitiello MV. Sleep disorders and aging: Understanding the causes. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 1997;52(4):M189–91. doi: 1093/gerona/52a.4.m189.
9. Ancoli-Israel S, Martin JL, Blackwell T, Buenaver L, Liu L, Meltzer LJ, et al. The SBSM guide to actigraphy monitoring: Clinical and research applications. Behav Sleep Med. 2015;13 Suppl 1:S4–S38. doi: 1080/15402002.2015.1046356.
10. Integrated Care for Older People: Guidelines on Community-Level Interventions to Manage Declines in Intrinsic Capacity. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2017. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK488250/.