Deteriorating sleep quality isn't a natural part of the aging process, yet many seniors experience it. The causes are numerous: comorbid medical conditions, physiological and psychological issues, and medication use.

1. Bedroom Aesthetics and Design
Impact Sleep Quality in Seniors
2 Brothers Mattress

2. Deteriorating sleep quality isn't a natural part of the aging process, yet many seniors experience it.
The causes are numerous: comorbid medical conditions, physiological and psychological issues, and
medication use.
Prevalence of Low Sleep Quality among American Seniors
In 2017, the University of Michigan National Poll on Healthy Aging surveyed adults 65 to 80 years old
from around the country regarding their sleep patterns. Their data revealed that 46 percent had
trouble falling asleep. Also, participants who claimed to be in fair or poor health were more likely to
have sleep problems.
Ironically, the latest data from the CDC states that short sleep duration is least common among
people 65 years and older. The CDC found that only 26.3 percent of the senior demographic sleep
less than 7 hours per night.
These contradictory findings imply that sleep duration, while an important factor in sleep quality,
doesn't guarantee a restful sleep among the elderly. Sleep disturbances like temperature
fluctuations, noise, and uncomfortable mattresses can also reduce sleep quality for seniors.
Common Sleep Disturbances to the Elderly
A manuscript in the journal Sleep Medicine Clinics cites physical pain as among the causes of sleep
disturbances among the elderly. Medical treatment is necessary to reduce their discomfort, but
medicine might not always provide immediate relief.

3. In 2018, the Journal of Aging Research published a study regarding the relationship between sleep
environments and insomnia. Researchers interviewed 599 elderly individuals 70 years and older and
found that the following are external factors that could instigate sleep disturbances:
 Pillow and mattress comfort
 Noise level in the bedroom
 Artificial light
 Bed or bedroom companion
Pillows and mattresses that don't allow for an even distribution of pressure on the neck and back
increases discomfort and disrupt sleep, especially among seniors who may have arthritis or other
skeletomuscular problems. As the brain processes auditory stimuli even during sleep, outside noises
and snoring from a bedroom companion could also cause sleep disruption. Finally, nocturnal light
suppresses the production of melatonin, the hormone that regulates the sleep-wake cycle.
For the elderly to experience long, quality sleep, they need to be rid of these disturbances and
secure an ideal bedroom environment. A comfortable bed, blackout and noise reduction curtains,
soft lighting, and a cooperative bedroom companion can go a long way to increase their sleep
quality.

4. Sources:
https://www.healthyagingpoll.org/report/trouble-sleeping-dont-assume-its-normal-part-aging
https://www.cdc.gov/sleep/data_statistics.html
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5300306/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4406253/
https://bettersleep.org/better-sleep/the-ideal-bedroom/