Are older women better in bed?

Mar 8 2005

We all dream that when we are older we will be free to sleep as much as we want. But for many women life doesn’t work out that way according to new research by Dr Jenny Hislop of the University of Surrey.

For most women aged 40 and over, sleep disruption is a fact of life. Factors such as changes in working hours, domestic relationships and responsibilities of care - as well as divorce, the menopause and widowhood - can all have a detrimental effect on sleep.

The results of the first ever empirical study of UK women’s sleep show that as women age there may be less pressure from work and childcare, but that potential sleep disruption from health factors, changes in work/life balance, bereavement and the ageing process increases.

Agnes (65), one of the women who took part in the research said, ‘The insomnia got really bad when I was 59-60 because I felt bereft of all the things I was used to, and then my kids had grown up and I was living on my own. You have a really quite responsible, important job and suddenly when you’re made redundant there is a vacuum.’

One of the main challenges facing older women and sleep seems to be that their expectations do not live up to the reality. ‘Typically women don’t know what to expect of their sleep as they grow older’, says Dr Hislop. ‘Many women worry about this, but sleep in later life is not necessarily problematic. We need to adjust our expectations and work with the changes to ensure a good night’s sleep.’

Dr Hislop will be presenting her results at the British Sociological Association conference in York (21-23 March).