Sleep changes as we age and with it the protection against, and recovery from, physical and mental challenges.
Invariably sleep becomes lighter, broken and less refreshing as we leave middle age, in what is a biologically driven change in sleep processes.
This has a range of effects including an increase in the disparity between male and female sleep.
However, this change is exacerbated by lack of knowledge about, or motivation to engage with, the lifestyle changes which would enable us to maximise what physiological ageing leaves in its wake.
Against this background, the sleep problems that almost inevitably follow traumatic injury become even more acute, with the potential of still more chronic consequences when that trauma occurs or persists in those beyond middle age.
John A Groeger, Professor of Psychology at Nottingham Trent University, is to speak at the Silver Trauma Conference in September, where he will give a background to age-related sleep changes and identify paths that might lead to better sleep.
Here, he previews his talk:
Visit here for thefull conference programme and how to sign up
