Sleep disorders in older people.

Sleep complaints are common among older people. As there are often multiple contributing factors, insomnia should be considered a symptom, and not a diagnosis. There is a high prevalence of sleep apnea and nocturnal myoclonus. When these primary sleep disorders are suspected, the patient should be referred for polysomnography. Use of hypnotics should be discouraged for chronic insomnia. More research is needed to clarify the role of light therapy and melatonin in the treatment of sleep disorders in older people.