Aging impacts sleep patterns and cognitive function

Medical experts and personal accounts highlight the complexities of cognitive decline and sleep disruption associated with aging. For individuals experiencing cognitive loss, structured tools like checklists can serve as an external cognitive aid, allowing a person to leave instructions for their future self when mental clarity diminishes throughout the day.

Regarding sleep, physicians note that waking up in the early morning hours is common as people age. Dr. Jenie George of Penn Medicine suggests that inconsistent sleep schedules can confuse the body’s internal clock. Additionally, Dr. Valerie Cacho identifies factors such as sleep apnea, blood sugar dips, and hormonal shifts as contributors to disrupted sleep. Research analyzed by Dr. Sarah de la Torre of Joylux indicates that nearly 40 percent of perimenopausal women report sleep disturbances even before their menstrual cycles become irregular.