Over 60s need less sleep

Experts have recommended that people in their 60s should go to bed an hour later as it has been found in a study that they need an hour's less sleep a night than younger people.

It might be a good idea, say the findings by researchers at the University of Surrey to advise people in their 60s to restrict their sleep and go to bed later in order to encourage a good night's rest.

Results of the research findings, published in the journal Sleep, found that people in their 20s who spent eight hours in bed slept for an average of seven hours and 14 minutes. However, as people get older they sleep less and less so that those in their 40s and 50s slept six hours and 50 minutes and over 65s had just six hours and 30 minutes' sleep.

It was also found that older people are more likely to wake up in the night than younger people. On the other hand, older people are less sleepy in the day especially as compared to those in their 20s, says The Telegraph.

Researcher Derk-Jan Dijik from the University of Surrey said: "Sleep restriction may be a successful behavioural therapy for insomnia in older people." He added that the results of the findings confirmed that older people are not usually sleepy during the daytime.

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