Each person’s sleep needs will be different. Some people may need more sleep, some may need less. For most people, consistently getting 7-9 hours of sleep is the right amount. Getting less sleep than that on a regular basis will lead to negative effects for most people. These can include depression and irritability, memory problems, and a higher chance of slip/fall accidents.
Seniors often feel the need to sleep and wake earlier than they did when they were younger. Whereas someone may have gone to bed around 10 PM when they were younger, they may now feel sleepy around 8 PM. This isn’t a sign of anything negative, just a common thing that happens with age. If your bedtime becomes earlier, but you’re still waking up at the same time, that could be a negative sign. Like most things, best practice is to discuss any concerns with a doctor if it feels like it’s getting in the way of normal living.
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