Your uncle Karl, who recently retired, has mentioned how he doesn't sleep as well as he did when he was younger. For many years, he regularly slept about 7-8 hours, but now that he is in his 60s he tends to get only 5-6 hours of sleep per night. What would you tell him?
A) Getting less sleep seems to be a common consequence of aging.
B) Getting less sleep as we age is not normal, since studies show we need more sleep as we age.
C) Getting less sleep is dangerous as we age. People should seek medical intervention to help them sleep.
D) Getting less sleep is associated with mental health problems in our later years. Uncle Karl should consider seeing a psychologist.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

It is common for people to get less sleep as they age. While the amount of sleep needed may vary from person to person, it is generally accepted that older adults may need slightly less sleep than younger adults. However, if your uncle's lack of sleep is causing significant problems or affecting his quality of life, he should talk to his doctor to rule out any underlying health conditions.

Your Uncle Karl, Who Recently Retired, Has Mentioned How He