Sleep Disorders in the Elderly

Sleep disorder refers to the loss of sleep function or sleep affecting respiratory function caused by the loss of control of the reticular activation system and other regions of the brain or changes in sleep-related neurotransmitters. Older people do not need less sleep, but less ability to sleep. Sleep disorder can cause considerable morbidity (such as reduced quality of life or even fatal damage) during wakefulness, so it is the focus of current geriatric research.