Insomnia is the most common sleep complaint at any age. It affects almost half of adults 60 and older.
If your loved one has insomnia, he/she may experience any one or any combination of the following symptoms.
- Taking a long time -- more than 30 to 45 minutes -- to fall asleep
Waking up many times each night
- Waking up early and being unable to get back to sleep
- Waking up feeling tired, and unable to function well during the day
Short-term insomnia, lasting less than one month, may result from a medical or psychiatric condition. Or it may occur after a change in personal circumstances like losing a loved one, relocating, or being hospitalized. If insomnia lasts longer than a month, it is considered chronic, even if the original cause has been resolved.