033 – Safer Treatments for Insomnia in Aging

In This Episode:

Dr. K explains how to safely treat insomnia in older adults, and why most seniors should avoid sleeping pills. She covers:

• Why it’s essential to identify the cause(s) of sleep problems, before starting or continuing to use sleeping pills
• Why over-the-counter or prescription sleep aids, such as diphenhydramine, benzodiazepines, and “z-drugs” such as zolpidem, are bad for memory and balance
• Three proven insomnia treatments that are effective and safer than pills
• Where to find cognitive-behavioral treatment for insomnia online
• Approaches to treating sleep problems in people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias

Related episode: 

032 – 5 Top Causes of Sleep Problems in Aging

Related Resources:

• How Sleep Affects Health & Changes with Aging
• 5 Top Causes of Sleep Problems in Seniors, & Proven Ways to Treat Insomnia
• Insomniacs Are Helped by Online Therapy, Study Finds
• Online insomnia therapy programs: SHUTi and Sleepio
• The Insomnia Workbook: A Comprehensive Guide to Getting the Sleep You Need
• How to Manage Sleep Problems in Dementia
• How You Can Help Someone Stop Ativan