Articles related to focusing on healthy aging, prevention, mobility, cognition, nutrition, independence, and caregiving support.
Contrary to popular belief, older adults do not stop dreaming entirely; instead, the patterns and recall of their dreams shift significantly over time. Understanding this is a key aspect of healthy aging and senior care, shedding light on the evolving nature of sleep.
Research indicates that while some older adults may report fewer nightmares overall, *distressing* dreams can become more frequent and severe with age. This phenomenon is often connected to changes in cognitive function, sleep patterns, and other health-related factors, answering the question: do nightmares worsen with age?
Sleep studies show that as we age, the percentage of time spent in REM sleep, the stage where most vivid dreaming occurs, gradually declines. This physiological shift, along with other life changes, is a key reason for the complex and fascinating ways that dreams evolve as we age.
