Sleep and Sleep Disorders in Older Persons Sleep Disturbances and Falls in Older People

Results. There were 150 participants in hostels (mean age 81 6 8 years) and 150 respondents to the Internet survey (mean age 70 6 5 years). Sleep disturbances were reported by most participants in both the hostel and Internet studies. In hostel participants, falls were associated with poor sleep quality (odds ratio1⁄4 4.5, 95% confidence interval, 1.9-12.2; p1⁄4 .002) and number of nocturnal awakenings (2.5 6 1.5 vs 2.0 6 1.4, p 1⁄4 .04). Other risk factors for falls in these persons included Geriatric Depression Scale score, pain, Timed Get Up and Go Test score, and the use of diuretics. In the Internet respondents, risk factors for falls included poor health rating and the use of spectacles, bifocals, and walking aids; fewer falls were reported by those participants without any sleep disturbances.