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• Later life >> Sleep problems in later life >> Describing current sleep >> Describing current sleep

Describing current sleep

• Later life >> Sleep problems in later life >> Worries >> Worries

Worries

• Later life >> Sleep problems in later life >> Strategies for good sleep >> Strategies for good sleep

Strategies for good sleep

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• Later life >> Sleep problems in later life >> Men aged 65-74 >> Mike - Interview 12 >> Mike varies his bedtime and wake up time according to whether he is working the next day, but may not go to bed earlier if he is watching something in

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 65-74 >> Fred - Interview 20 >> Fred may be very tired when he gets into bed initially, but after about 5 minutes he is wide awake again.

Fred often finds it difficult to get to sleep. He also finds that if he wakes up in the night he finds it takes a long time to get back to sleep. Sometimes he comes downstairs and has a cigarette in the back garden before trying to go back up and get to sleep. Fred noticed his sleep changed after he retired and feels this may be because he isn’t quite as active.

• Later life >> Sleep problems in later life >> Women aged 65-74 >> Sue B - Interview 03 >> Sue B. finds that if she has a problem that is worrying her, she will wake up earlier than usual, and can’t get back to sleep.

Sue B. lives on her own in a small, friendly village. She has 4 children and 7 grandchildren. She recently gave up her job as a provider of supplies to pre-school groups, but still works part-time making scarves which she sells through Craft Fairs. Sue B. is very active, often taking several walks a day, sometimes swimming and bicycling. She is also a retired Church Warden. Sleep is very important to Sue B., and she loves waking up after a very good night’s sleep.

• Later life >> Sleep problems in later life >> Women aged 65-74 >> Anne - Interview 14 >> Anne falls off to sleep okay, but then will wake up in the middle of the night.

Anne is a retired Education Adviser, but is still working part-time writing a book. Anne likes to play golf at least once a week, but has recently had some injuries which have prevented this. She also likes to keep active by walking. Anne finds she now wakes up early in the morning and would very much like to be able to sleep in for longer.

• Later life >> Sleep problems in later life >> Women aged 65-74 >> Juliet - Interview 07 >> Juliet knows that if she wakes up in the night she will have to wake herself up fully before she can consider going back to sleep again.

In addition to her formal career, Juliet has had a range of voluntary jobs such as Chairman of the Preschool Playgroup Association. Juliet was also employed as an Ofsted Lay School Inspector. Juliet is an avid silver surfer and thoroughly enjoys online shopping and writing emails. She has had rheumatoid arthritis for about 15 years and has also been diagnosed with diabetes, both of which interfere with her sleep.