Insomnia and Sleep Medication Use Linked to Increased Disability Risk in Older Adults

Insomnia poses a significant health challenge for seniors, affecting up to half of individuals over 65. Recent research from Penn State University and Taipei Medical University analyzed five years of data from older Americans and found a concerning link between sleep problems, medication use, and the progression of disability. The study, published in the journal Sleep, revealed that higher levels of insomnia symptoms and frequent use of sleep medications are associated with an increased risk of developing disability within a year.

Researchers tracked 6,722 Medicare beneficiaries over the age of 65 using data from the National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS). They measured disability through self-care activities—such as dressing and bathing—and mobility tasks like getting out of bed and walking indoors. Participants' abilities were scored on a scale from fully able to needing assistance, with higher scores indicating greater disability.

The analysis showed that each incremental increase in insomnia symptoms or sleep medication use corresponded to a roughly 20% rise in the likelihood of disability the following year. Specifically, if an individual increased their sleep medication use from 'never' to 'every night,' their risk of developing a clinically meaningful disability could significantly rise over five years.

The findings suggest that both untreated insomnia and reliance on sleep medications may contribute to functional decline among older adults. One hypothesis is that sleep medications may increase fall risk, which could lead to greater disability, especially since falls are a common issue in this population.

Experts emphasize the importance of managing insomnia safely. Cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is recommended as an effective and safe treatment option. The authors highlight that addressing sleep issues early and consulting healthcare providers can help prevent progression to disability. They also stress that older adults should not dismiss sleep problems as a natural part of aging and should advocate for appropriate treatment.

Overall, this study underscores the need for cautious use of sleep medications and promotes non-pharmacological approaches to managing sleep disturbances in the elderly, aiming to preserve their quality of life and independence.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-04-insomnia-medication-disability-older-adults.html