Sleep and its disorders in older adults.

For many older adults, aging is associated with significant changes in sleep. There are a variety of potential causes, including primary sleep disorders, circadian rhythm disturbances, insomnia, depression, medical illness, and medications. As with younger adults, the diagnosis requires a thorough sleep history and an overnight sleep recording when appropriate. Treatment should address the primary sleep problem and can result in significant improvement in quality of life and daytime functioning in older adults.