Gopal Krishnan Gopal Krishnan Asked 8 months ago

Do seniors need less sleep?

My father-in-law keeps saying that as you get older, you need less sleep. I'm in my 60s now and sometimes feel tired even after a full night's sleep. Do seniors actually need less sleep, or is it a misconception?

15

15 answers

Rahul Verma Rahul Verma Joined May 2026 6 months ago
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Don't stress too much about this. Actually, older people still need around 7 to 8 hours of rest, but they just find it harder to fall asleep or stay asleep through the night. It's more about their sleep quality dropping rather than their body needing less of it.

Aryan Patra Aryan Patra Joined Jan 2026 8 months ago

My dada literally wakes up at 4 AM every single day and says he is done sleeping, while I can sleep for 12 hours straight. But honestly, I think they still need a good 7 hours, they just end up taking small naps in the afternoon to make up for it.

Neha Saini Neha Saini Joined Mar 2026 7 months ago

I am not an expert, but from what I have read about hormonal changes, sleep needs don't really decrease with age. Seniors might wake up often due to joint aches or medications. It's always best to let them consult their family doctor if they are feeling too fatigued during the day.

Preeti Chawla Preeti Chawla Joined Apr 2026 7 months ago

My grandmother sleeps less at night but she is always active and happy! 😊 They actually need the same amount of sleep as us, but their sleep cycles change as they grow older. A nice warm cup of turmeric milk before bed really helps them get deeper rest!

Meenakshi Iyer Meenakshi Iyer Joined Apr 2026 6 months ago

Proper sleep is so important at an older age, just like a light, easily digestible dinner. I make sure my parents eat a light, early vegetarian dinner like khichdi, which helps them sleep peacefully without acidity. If they eat heavy food, their sleep gets interrupted much more.

Ranjana Devi Ranjana Devi Joined Feb 2026 8 months ago

I totally understand how worrying it is when our elders don't sleep well. For my mother-in-law, massaging her feet with warm mustard oil before bed has really helped her get continuous sleep. Sometimes small, caring physical routines work better than over-the-counter pills.

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Consult a internal medicine specialist

Harish Rawat Harish Rawat Joined Feb 2026 8 months ago

As someone managing diabetes, I know how much fluctuating blood sugar ruins sleep. Seniors often wake up because of high sugar levels or needing to use the washroom. It is crucial to monitor their sugar levels and diet before assuming they just need less sleep.

Sanjay Kapoor Sanjay Kapoor Joined Mar 2026 7 months ago

I am only 51 and already my sleep is vanishing, so I dread what happens when I become a senior citizen! Jokes aside, they definitely need rest, but their bodies just refuse to cooperate. A quiet room and no late tea helps them a lot.

Sandeep Banerjee Sandeep Banerjee Joined Mar 2026 7 months ago

If a senior is struggling to sleep, instead of buying expensive specialized mattresses first, it is better to get a basic health checkup. Sometimes simple things like a vitamin D deficiency or thyroid issue cause sleep loss, and those blood tests are quite affordable and give a clear picture.

Gauri Menon Gauri Menon Joined Apr 2026 6 months ago

I was just wondering about this because my grandfather barely sleeps for 5 hours now. Is this normal for everyone as they cross 70, or should we talk to his doctor about it?

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Ram Dulare Ram Dulare Joined May 2026 6 months ago

Hamare gaon mein buzurg log shaam ko jaldi so jate hain aur subah 4 baje uth jate hain. Unka sharir thak jata hai isliye unhe aaram ki puri zaroorat hoti hai. Bas unhe shanti se sone dena chahiye.

Amit Chaudhary Amit Chaudhary Joined May 2026 5 months ago

Haan yaar, ye maine bhi notice kiya hai apne ghar pe. Dadi subah bohot jaldi uth jaati hain. But unhe rest ki zaroorat puri hoti hai, bas break mein sote hain woh din mein thoda sa. Unka routine hi waisa ho jata hai na.

Manju Sharma Manju Sharma Joined May 2026 5 months ago

I have to manage my hyperactive 6-year-old and my aging father's sleep schedules, and both are so hard! I've realized keeping a fixed routine for bed and waking up works wonders for both of them. It keeps their internal body clock running smoothly.

Anjali Deshpande Anjali Deshpande Joined May 2026 5 months ago

My father started waking up very early after his retirement, and we were quite worried. He eventually realized that keeping himself physically active during the day and reducing screen time in the evening naturally improved his night sleep. It's all about adjusting to the new daily rhythm.

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