• Topic
• Later life >> Sleep problems in later life >> Going to the doctor or chemist >> Going to the doctor or chemist

Going to the doctor or chemist

• Later life >> Sleep problems in later life >> Sleep medication, other medication and over the counter remedies >> Sleep medication, other medication and over the counter remedies

Sleep medication, other medication and over the counter remedies

• Clip
• Later life >> Sleep problems in later life >> Women aged 65-74 >> Mary - Interview 02 >> Mary doesn’t see poor sleep as an illness so she would only see her doctor for problems sleeping during difficult times, such as bereavement.

Mary often finds it very difficult to get to sleep, sometimes taking up to an hour to fall asleep. Mary finds that relaxation and meditation exercises help her to fall asleep, and help her get back to sleep if she wakes up in the night. Even if she has not had a good night Mary finds it impossible to take a nap during the day, although she may put her feet up in bed to have a rest instead. Mary hasn’t been to the doctor about her sleep, but has tried some over the counter remedies.

• Later life >> Sleep problems in later life >> Men aged 65-74 >> Mike - Interview 12 >> Mike did mention his poor sleep to his doctor whilst he was attending an appointment during a check up, but didn’t feel it important enough to pursue.

Mike works part-time as a test centre administrator. He has noticed a change in his sleep as he has got older, noticeably that he has periods of deeper sleep, but he doesn’t believe he sleeps any longer than he used to. Mike noticed his sleep changed when he first had children, and finds that pattern has continued.

• Later life >> Sleep problems in later life >> Men aged 75+ >> Daniel - Interview 28 >> Daniel has been prescribed sleeping tablets, but will only rarely take them in case he becomes addicted to them.

Daniel is a retired social worker, having spent a large part of his working life with children and teenagers. He was diagnosed with sleep apnoea when his snoring at night was making him feel very drowsy during the day. His sleep is quite broken at night, and he often finds he dozes off during the day.

• Later life >> Sleep problems in later life >> Men aged 75+ >> Daniel - Interview 28 >> Daniel did go to the doctor about his snoring and he was diagnosed with sleep apnoea. He was given a CPAP machine, but didn’t get on with it.

Daniel is a retired social worker, having spent a large part of his working life with children and teenagers. He was diagnosed with sleep apnoea when his snoring at night was making him feel very drowsy during the day. His sleep is quite broken at night, and he often finds he dozes off during the day.