Which sleep pattern is common in older adults?

• A. Long uninterrupted nights
• B. Minimal daytime napping
• C. Daytime napping, and awakening at night is common
• D. Increased total sleep time

Answer: (C)

As people age, sleep tends to become more fragmented, with lighter sleep and more awakenings during the night. Because nocturnal sleep is less consolidated, daytime sleep becomes a common way to compensate, leading to daytime napping. This combination of daytime napping plus nighttime awakenings is a typical pattern in older adults.

Long uninterrupted nights are less common due to the overall tendency toward sleep fragmentation. Minimal daytime napping doesn’t fit because daytime sleep is a frequent compensatory pattern for reduced nocturnal sleep. Increased total sleep time isn’t typical; total sleep often remains the same or decreases, with a shift toward more daytime sleep to balance the lighter, more fragmented nighttime sleep.