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Normal aging is accompanied by sleep pattern changes that may result in daytime sleepiness and affect the quality of life in older adults. These changes also can signal more serious sleep problems, which become more prevalent with aging. More than half of adults older than 65 living at home and about two-thirds of those in long-term care facilities have some difficulties with sleep. It is important for nurses to understand the normal changes in sleep that accompany aging and be able to differentiate them from the symptoms of serious sleep disorders to ensure holistic care for older adults.

Sleep problems are prevalent among very old rural women. In a effort to manage them, they may resort to the indiscriminate use of OTC medications and alcohol. As part of the comprehensive nursing care needed to address these issues, rural nurses should carefully assess their clients sleep patterns and self-care activities and encourage the use of nonpharmacologic interventions to improve sleep. A knowledge of rural values is essential to this process.