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• Later life >> Sleep problems in later life >> Going to the toilet in the night >> Going to the toilet in the night

Going to the toilet in the night

• Clip
• Later life >> Sleep problems in later life >> Women aged 65-74 >> Mary - Interview 05 >> Mary isn’t sure whether she is waking because she needs to go to the toilet, but will go anyway so she can go back to sleep quickly.

Mary is a retired Secretary and travel organiser. She lives on her own, but has a daughter and grandchildren living nearby. Mary likes to keep very active during the day and helps with looking after the grandchildren. She also attends Keep Fit and Tai Chi and likes to sew and do crafts. Mary believes sleep is very important and would like to have more sleep, but also feels that she doesn’t want to waste time sleeping as there are so many things she enjoys doing.

• Later life >> Sleep problems in later life >> Men aged 65-74 >> Mike - Interview 12 >> Mike felt if he went to the toilet just in case, it would make him feel more comfortable and help him get back to sleep.

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+ >> Roy - Interview 13 >> Roy suggests it is important to have a regular routine for going to bed and getting up.

Roy has been retired for some time, but is an active member of the local U3A group (University of the Third Age) and likes to take long walks. He frequently visits his older brother who lives nearby. Roy has had trouble sleeping for many years, but has now found a routine for getting to sleep that he feels works well for him.