Sleep behaviors of older persons.

A pilot study with 22 subjects was done to test instruments and refine methodology for a study of the nature of sleep behaviors among older persons of various ages. Then, mailed questionnaires were completed and sleep charts kept for two weeks by 212 healthy, noninstitutionalized subjects, aged 65 to 93. These subjects were randomly selected from a pool of potential research subjects compiled from voter registration lists. The self-reported sleep behaviors showed extreme variability, even among subjects of the same age groups. Using chi-square and a confidence level of .05, data were analyzed for age differences. Findings showed a significant increase in time in bed, total sleep time when naps were included, number and amount of naps, and number and amount of wake time after sleep onset after age 75. After age 85 there was a significant increase in sleep latency, an increase in total sleep time even when naps were excluded, and a change to an earlier bedtime. It was concluded that changes in sleep behavior are to be expected as age advances.