Les has had several very interesting and different jobs in his lifetime, ranging from being in the army, to being a theatre manager, working in the Sudan, and being a driver. He only retired finally when he was 80. Les has several health problems which contribute to making his sleep very disturbed, but he won’t let his poor sleep affect what he does during the day.

Later life >> Sleep problems in later life >> Men aged 65-74 >> Christopher - Interview 34 >> Christopher occasionally used to worry about his work in the night, but is more relaxed now he is retired, and tends not to worry about things.

Christopher is married with three children, and is a retired airline consultant. Christopher did retire at one point, but then was asked to return to work for a while, although he is now completely retired. He is now a volunteer at the local hospital. Christopher was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease a few years previously and also has severe back problems, but he still likes to keep fit and active and regularly visits the gym.

Later life >> Sleep problems in later life >> Men aged 75+ >> Roy - Interview 13 >> Roy tries to relax when he gets back into bed after going to the toilet, but then he starts to think about things and can’t get back to sleep.

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.

Later life >> Sleep problems in later life >> Women aged 65-74 >> Margaret - Interview 32 >> Margaret believes that sleep can be emotional, and connects you to your home and life. Being away from the stresses and worries of your life mean you

Margaret is a retired Day Centre Manager and formerly a social worker. She spent long periods of her childhood in hospital where part of the routine was to put children outside in the fresh air. Margaret believes this still influences her now as she likes to wake up to daylight in her room. Margaret noticed her sleep started to worsen about 10-15 years ago, and used to worry about not having enough sleep, but has now found a way to cope and feels content with the amount of sleep she gets.

Later life >> Sleep problems in later life >> Women aged 65-74 >> Anne - Interview 33 >> Being busy whilst on holiday and just getting away from normal everyday life helps Anne with sleep.

Anne is married and has three children, and six grandchildren. Anne retired from teaching some years ago and now works hard at keeping active, particularly enjoying spending lots of time in her garden. Anne feels that sleep is a waste of time and would much rather have more time to do the things she enjoys doing, such as writing and doing research.

Later life >> Sleep problems in later life >> Men aged 65-74 >> Mike - Interview 12 >> Mike often lies awake worrying in the night, but in the morning realises his problems aren’t that serious.

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 >> Women aged 65-74 >> Mary - Interview 05 >> Mary worries about her family in the night, but is aware in the morning that this was probably a waste of time.

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 >> Women aged 65-74 >> Anne - Interview 14 >> When her teenage son was out at night, Anne used to lay awake until she heard him come home.

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 remembers that her children slept well after the first few weeks, and believes they were good sleepers.

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.

Later life >> Sleep problems in later life >> Women aged 65-74 >> Anne - Interview 33 >> Anne finds that her problems seem much greater in the night, and they sometimes develop into nightmares.

Later life >> Sleep problems in later life >> Women aged 65-74 >> Anne - Interview 14 >> When Anne’s son was a teenager she used to not be able to sleep until she heard him come home safely.

Later life >> Sleep problems in later life >> Women aged 65-74 >> Mary - Interview 02 >> Mary also wasn’t sure whether it was the menopause that was the start of her sleeping problems, or having to be alert listening for her children.

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 >> Women aged 65-74 >> Valerie - Interview 11 >> Val slept very badly when she was running a care company because of the worry and concerns for the people under her care, and this pattern of sleep co

Valerie often wakes up in the night and can’t get back to sleep. This means she will be very tired by the early evening, but will try not to go to bed too early because she doesn’t want to waste the evening.

Later life >> Sleep problems in later life >> Women aged 65-74 >> Judy - Interview 22 >> Judy felt guilty about moving her brother to a home when she could no longer cope, and she continued to wake up in the night worrying about him.

Judy had a period of sleeping very badly, whilst looking after her brother who had dementia, she is now sleeping much better. She generally sleeps about 4-5 hours a night, but has always done this so feels it is the right amount of sleep for her.

Later life >> Sleep problems in later life >> Men aged 75+ >> Daniel - Interview 28 >> Daniel’s sleep was badly affected by his job as a social worker, and even led to him having nightmares.

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+ >> Roy - Interview 13 >> Roy has noticed a gradual decline in his sleep since he retired and puts it down to having more worries now he is not working.

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 33 >> Anne can sometimes lay awake worrying until two or three in the morning.

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