Sleep

Sleep Problems Plague the Older Set

Friday, November 23, 2007— As part of the The Gerontological Society of America's 60th Annual Scientific Meeting, ILC-USA Senior Associate Harrison Bloom, M.D. led a symposium entitled "Sleep Disorders and Aging in Context: Should Sleep be a Vital Sign?"

The lecture undertook to:

• review the epidemiological and treatment literature supporting the argument that sleep should be a vital sign
• propose the argument for the regular and systematic assessment of sleep as a vital sign in general geriatric healthcare practice

The symposium consequently generated an article, "Sleep Problems Plague the Older Set" by Karen Pallarito, that received generous coverage in popular media outlets such as Forbes.com, MSN, AOL, U.S. New & World Report, and iVillage.

The article makes note of a recent study in The American Journal of Medicine that found that more than half of older Americans have problems getting the shuteye they need. The epidemic seems to be caused at least in part by "sleep fragmentation," or waking up frequently during the night, as well as a reduction in the amount of REM sleep.

Dr. Bloom serves as chairman of a new national coalition of aging, geriatric medicine and sleep organizations which is currently developing guidelines to promote prevention, diagnosis and treatment of sleep problems in older adults. The National Coalition for Sleep Disorders in Older People expects to publish its recommendations by mid-2008.

To read the article, or browse the full array of ILC-USA sleep publications, click on our Related Links, below.

Related Links: U.S. News & World Report, iVillage, ILC-USA Sleep Publications

Keywords: sleep

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