Sleep Problems in Older Adults: What Can Help?

Ask what feels hardest: getting to sleep, waking during the night, or feeling tired when morning comes.

Write down when the trouble began and how it affects things your parent enjoys, such as reading or seeing friends.

Ask your parent what better sleep would mean to them before setting any goals together.

If sleep trouble keeps returning, arrange a visit with their healthcare provider to discuss treatment options. [1]

If bathroom trips are part of the story, our guide to UTI signs in older adults offers a separate discussion.

Bring a few examples of difficult nights, alongside your parent's own description of how those nights felt.

Keep the focus on daily life; a sleep number does not describe every part of your parent's experience.

Our article on Apple Watch accuracy explains why a reading needs context before your family draws conclusions.

Ask permission before looking at sleep information together, and agree on what your parent is comfortable sharing.

Harmoni notices patterns in sleep and offers a gentle nudge for a family check-in; it does not diagnose sleep disorders.

Cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia, called CBT-I, is recommended as the first treatment for lasting insomnia in adults. [1, 2]

This treatment combines practical sleep skills with help for thoughts and habits that can keep sleep trouble going. [2]

General bedtime advice alone is not the recommended treatment for chronic insomnia; ask about a fuller treatment plan. [2]

A trial involving older adults found that improvements from behavioural treatment lasted after treatment ended. [3]

Ask your provider how to access CBT-I and what support would make it easier for your parent to take part.

For a related wellness conversation, read about alcohol and memory; bring questions about evening drinks to the appointment.

Bring a list of prescription medicines, non-prescription products, and supplements so the discussion starts with a clear picture.

If CBT-I has not helped enough, guidelines recommend discussing the benefits and harms of short-term medicine together. [1]

Ask what improvement to expect and when to review the plan, so your parent knows what happens next.

Offer to help arrange the visit or write down questions, while letting your parent choose the support they want.

Agree on one follow-up conversation about sleep, rather than making every family call a discussion about the previous night.

Start with your parent's experience, and use sleep information as one part of a kind, practical conversation.

Ask about evidence-based sleep treatment if rough nights keep affecting daily life; you do not need a watch to seek help.

Agree on how to share wellness information, then explore the next step together: Join the Alberta pilot.