Do elderly need more sleep?

My mother is 68 and she barely sleeps 5 hours at night now, which really makes me anxious. Is this normal for elderly people or should I get her checked by a physician? I keep worrying that lack of rest might affect her heart health.

Our family doctor told us that elderly people actually need the same amount of sleep, around 7-8 hours, but their ability to sleep deeply declines. They wake up more frequently due to joint pains or bathroom trips. So, their sleep gets fragmented, making it look like they sleep less.

I am new to taking care of my grandmother and I noticed she sleeps a lot during the evening. Is it okay to let her sleep then, or will it ruin her main night sleep? I don't want to disturb her if she really needs the rest.

I was reading an article on aging, and it said that our internal circadian rhythm shifts as we grow older. That is why older people sleep early and wake up very early in the morning. So, their sleep pattern changes, but the total requirement remains almost the same.

In our family, elders always say that as we grow older, our worries decrease so we need less sleep. However, our family doctor advised us that deep sleep is crucial for their brain health. If an elder is sleeping too much or too little, we must get their thyroid and sugar levels checked.

I know sleep issues can be very tricky as I struggle with them due to my hormonal issues. For older adults, sleep quality can be affected by many underlying medical conditions. It is best to consult a general physician rather than assuming it is just natural aging.