Elderly
Sleep in elderly
Older adults often sleep less efficiently — more awakenings, earlier rising, shorter deep-sleep phases. Medication sensitivity increases; many popular sleep aids (benzodiazepines, diphenhydramine) are on the Beers List of drugs to avoid.
Key points
- ✓Sleep pattern changes are often normal aging, not pathology
- ✓Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) is on the Beers List — avoid for sleep in elderly (confusion, fall risk)
- ✓Valerian + lemon balm is gentler than benzodiazepines for frail patients
- ✓Afternoon light exposure + consistent schedule matter more than any supplement
- ✓Sleep apnea is under-diagnosed in older adults — worth screening for if daytime fatigue dominates
Supportive herbs
Lifestyle & diet
Morning outdoor light, limit naps to <30 min before 3 pm, caffeine cutoff noon, consistent wake time, dark cool bedroom, treat pain that disrupts sleep.
When to see a clinician
New-onset severe insomnia, snoring with daytime fatigue, restless legs symptoms, depression with sleep change, or medications disrupting sleep — review with provider.