Sleepiness in elderly veterans.

PURPOSE

This observational study seeks to describe the distribution of sleepiness among elderly male veterans and to explain the relationship between sleepiness and age, function, mobility, and depression in this population.

METHODS

Veterans who were age 60 or older and had two or more functional limitations based on their activities of daily living or instrumental activities of daily living were recruited in outpatient clinics. They were recruited as part of a longitudinal study and completed questionnaires reported here at the 18-month data collection time point.

RESULTS

Veterans report higher sleepiness than normal controls. Self-reported sleepiness scores are similar to those of patients who have been diagnosed with sleep disturbances.

CONCLUSIONS

Interventions to identify and support aging veterans with perceived sleepiness should be developed and carefully evaluated.