Aging Well, Sleeping Efficiently: Protecting Health In Later Life

AGEWISE Project 4: PROTECTING HEALTH IN LATER LIFE

The purpose of this study is to see whether protecting sleep quality in later life is important in continued healthy aging. The value of education in healthy sleep practices along with reducing time in bed each night by going to bed 30 minutes later, and of healthy dietary practices will be tested for their effects on sleep quality, health, and well being.

The goal of this project is to test the efficacy of restricting time in bed and education in healthy sleep practices for maintaining or even enhancing sleep consolidation and depth in subjects aged 75+ who are at risk for decay in sleep quality and daytime well being; to determine the associated benefits for health; and to examine the persistence of such effects for 12 months beyond the end of the 18-month intervention. This project focuses not on pathology but on prevention of sleep decay and preservation of sleep in individuals who have already evidenced successful aging.

Inclusion Criteria:

• age 75 or older
• without sleep disorders
• without psychiatric disorders
• Folstein MMSE of 24 or greater

Exclusion Criteria:

• Apnea-hypopnea index greater than 30
• Mean sleep latency less than 6
• Psychotropic medications present