An older adult widow reports having problems sleeping at night and states, "I miss my spouse." The nurse also recognizes that older patients:

a. are difficult to assess.
b. take less time to fall asleep.
c. may suffer from emotional stress or depressive mood problems.
d. require less sleep than middle-age adults.


C
The elderly frequently experience losses, such as retirement and death of a loved one, which may lead to emotional stress or depressive mood problems that affect sleep efficacy. Older adults have a harder time falling asleep and more trouble staying asleep than do young adults. Sleep studies on older adults show a decline in REM sleep and an increase in nighttime awakenings. It is a common misconception that sleep needs decrease with aging. Older adults still need 7 to 8 hours of sleep a day, just like middle-aged adults. Older adults are not more difficult to assess.

Nursing

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