How can aging impact an individual's sleep patterns?

Aging significantly influences sleep patterns, leading to lighter sleep and more frequent awakenings during the night. As individuals age, there is a natural decline in the proportion of deep sleep, also known as slow-wave sleep, which is crucial for restorative processes in the body. As a result, older adults may experience a shift in their sleep architecture, characterized by shorter durations of deep sleep and an increase in lighter sleep stages.

This transition often leads to a higher likelihood of arousal and waking throughout the night. Factors contributing to this phenomenon include changes in hormonal regulation, medical conditions, and the cumulative effects of sleep disorders that are more prevalent in older adults. Consequently, individuals may find themselves waking more often and having difficulty returning to sleep, leading to a fragmented sleep experience and often resulting in daytime sleepiness or fatigue.

In contrast, aging is not typically associated with increased REM sleep duration, longer uninterrupted sleep periods, or prolonged periods of deep sleep, which reflects the distinctive changes in sleep quality and structure as one ages.