Chronic Medical Conditions and Sleep in the Older Adult.

Demographic changes in developed countries are leading to an aging population with a high prevalence of chronic medical conditions, disability, and sleep disorders. Evidence suggests that medical conditions and comorbid sleep disorders interact. This article aims to review frequently encountered medical conditions and examine their consequences on sleep in the older adult, and to review the possible impact of sleep disturbances on these common medical conditions. These medical conditions include pain, falls, cancer, and chronic heart failure. Strategies to improve sleep disturbances in older patients with comorbid medical conditions are provided according to available data and clinical experience.