Are Frequent Night Wakings Normal After 60? August 28, 2026 Are Frequent Night Wakings Normal After 60? If you’re over 60 and find yourself waking several times during the night, you’re certainly not alone. Sleep naturally changes with age. It tends to become lighter and more fragmented, with less time spent in deep sleep and more frequent awakenings.1 In fact, older adults may wake around three or four times a night.1 But while waking more often can be part of ageing, regularly having disrupted sleep and feeling exhausted the next day shouldn’t simply be dismissed as “getting older”. Healthy older adults still generally need around seven to nine hours of sleep.2 Why does sleep become lighter with age? Our sleep architecture gradually changes as we get older. We spend less time in deep, slow-wave sleep and more time in lighter stages, making it easier for noise, discomfort or other disturbances to wake us.1 Our internal body clock can also shift earlier, meaning you may feel sleepy earlier in the evening and naturally wake earlier in the morning.2 Melatonin production also tends to decline with age.2 So, waking briefly and returning to sleep without much trouble may not be concerning, particularly if you wake feeling refreshed and have enough energy throughout the day. When night wakings might mean something more Ageing isn’t always the reason you’re awake at 2 am. Needing to use the bathroom, pain from conditions such as arthritis, hot flushes, heart or lung conditions and certain medications can all interrupt sleep.1 Daytime naps, reduced physical activity and going to bed too early may also make it harder to sleep continuously overnight.1 Sleep disorders also become more common with age3 - Insomnia can cause repeated awakenings or difficulty returning to sleep, while restless legs and periodic limb movements may disrupt sleep throughout the night. Sleep apnea is another important possibility. Repeated pauses or reductions in breathing can trigger brief arousals throughout the night, leaving sleep fragmented. Loud snoring, witnessed breathing pauses and excessive daytime sleepiness are signs worth taking seriously. What can help? Maintaining consistent sleep and wake times can help strengthen your body’s natural sleep-wake rhythm. Staying physically active, getting regular daylight and limiting caffeine and alcohol later in the day may also support better sleep at night. If you nap, keep it short and avoid napping late in the afternoon, as this can make it harder to fall or stay asleep overnight. Most importantly, don’t assume persistent poor sleep is inevitable after 60. If frequent awakenings leave you tired during the day, affect your concentration, continue despite improving your sleep habits, or someone notices snoring or pauses in your breathing, speak with your doctor. Sleep disorders are treatable, and getting the right help could make a meaningful difference to both your nights and your days. How Sove CPAP Clinic Can Help Founded in 2008, Sove CPAP Clinic has grown to become a leading provider of respiratory and sleep services and products in Australia, with over 100 clinics nationwide. Our comprehensive clinical team includes Respiratory & Sleep Specialists, Sleep Technologists, and Treatment Consultants, ensuring that you receive comprehensive and personalised care. All medical procedures, including sleep studies and lung function testing, are bulk billed to all Australians, with minimal wait time. References 1. MedlinePlus. “Aging Changes in Sleep: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia.” Medlineplus.Gov, 2017, https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/004018.htm. Accessed 26 Aug. 2026. 2) “Ageing & Sleep | Sleep Health Foundation.” Www.Sleephealthfoundation.Org.Au, https://www.sleephealthfoundation.org.au/sleep-topics/ageing-sleep. Accessed 26 Aug. 2026. 3. Cooke, Jana R., and Sonia Ancoli-Israel. “Normal and Abnormal Sleep in the Elderly.” Handbook of Clinical Neurology, vol. 98, 2011, pp. 653–65, https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-444-52006-7.00041-1. Accessed 26 Aug. 2026.
