Overview
Insomnia is a significant health and quality-of-life concern for older adults.
Research shows that as much as 30 percent of the global adult population experiences insomnia symptoms.[2]
In some cases, many adults use sleep meds to alleviate their sleep issues. While this may appear to be harmless, recent evidence suggests otherwise.
A new study from Penn State College of Health and Human Development shows that chronic insomnia and sleep medication use can result in disability for older adults in as little as one year.[1]
This article will explain everything you need to know about this fantastic study.
Let us get it started together!
The Insomnia, Sleep Meds, and Disability Study
In a comprehensive study published in the journal Sleep, researchers from the Penn State College of Health and Human Development and Taipei Medical University examined the long-term effects of insomnia and sleep medication use among older adults.[1]
They investigated whether disability status rose as the number of sleeplessness symptoms and sleep medication use increased over a five-year period.
The scientists drew data from the National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS), which included a national sample of Medicare users over 65.
They examined data from 6,722 community residents over five years.
The NHATS data included disability data collected every year using a validated questionnaire.
The questionnaire included questions about self-care tasks, such as getting dressed, eating, using the toilet, and taking a shower. It also asked about mobility tasks, such as getting out of bed, moving around inside and outside, and using the toilet.
To determine the strength of the link between these factors, the participants' data were rated on a standard, predetermined disability scale.
Participants were labeled as follows:
- "Fully able" if they could do all self-care activities independently.
- "Vulnerable" if they needed help, did less of the activity, or had difficulty.
- "Assistance" if they could not do the activity without support.
"Fully able" scores one point, "vulnerable" scores two points, and "assistance" scores four points. Higher scores mean greater levels of disability.
A rise of two or more points in a person's overall score shows a significant disability in self-care or mobility.
The NHATS data included five levels for insomnia symptoms and sleep medicine use: never, once a week, some nights, most nights, and every night. As you went up levels, "never" was worth one point, and "every night" was worth five points.
Results of the Study
After reviewing all the data, the scientists were surprised by the results. Here is what they found;
- For each incremental increase in the frequency of insomnia symptoms, disability scores rose by 0.20 points annually.
- Similarly, each step up in sleep medication usage frequency was associated with a 0.19-point annual increase in disability scores.
- More specifically, having insomnia symptoms more often was linked to higher disability scores. Using sleep medicines more often was even more linked to higher disability scores than having insomnia symptoms alone.
The Study's Relevance
The study's results are significant. Researchers emphasized a critical insight: chronic insomnia reduces quality of life. Additionally, the medications used to treat sleep issues might harm physical functioning.
Tuo-Yu "Tim" Chen, the lead author and an assistant professor at Taipei Medical University, highlighted that the study shows insomnia and sleep pill use can lead to disability.[3]
As an average example, these figures indicate that an older adult who increased their sleep drug use from 'never' to 'every night' during a five-year period is more likely to develop a clinically significant handicap.
"We can't predict risk for each person. But an older adult with chronic sleep disorders or who takes sleep medications is more likely to become disabled," said Professor Chen.
Orfeu Buxton, a Penn State Professor of Biobehavioral Health and co-author of the study, said that sleep medicine makes older people more likely to fall.[3]
Buxton noted that they believe falls are a significant reason sleep medicine is associated with increased disability.
How Do Insomnia and Sleep Pills Increase Disability Risk?
Many studies have found that chronic sleep loss affects both physical health and mental abilities.[4,5]
For example, insomnia can make it challenging to maintain balance, decrease muscle strength, and lessen executive functioning. All of these functions are essential for preserving independence in day-to-day activities.
Furthermore, the sedative effects of many sleep pills, notably benzodiazepines and nonbenzodiazepines, can result in lingering cognitive issues.[6]
They also raise the risk of falls, which are the leading cause of injury and disability in older adults. These drugs might make you drowsy, disoriented, and unsteady, which can endanger your ability to perform everyday tasks safely.
The Next Steps
Given the serious risks of chronic sleep loss and sleep pills, experts now recommend prioritizing other treatments over sleep medications, especially for older adults.
Dr. Soomi Lee, a co-author of the study, said that Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBTi) is a safe and effective treatment for insomnia.[7]
This psychological treatment modality helps individuals identify and improve thought or behavior patterns to ameliorate their sleep problems.
It is also crucial for older persons with sleep problems to see their doctors as soon as they can. Lee said many older people think sleep interruptions are normal as they age.
However, these disruptions are a serious issue that needs attention.
"Older adults who struggle with sleep or use sleep aids should speak with their doctor about it," said Dr. Lee.
If a doctor knows that a patient is having trouble sleeping, they can check the patient's medicines to ensure that any drug interactions are not worsening insomnia. They can recommend other treatments that help manage sleep problems.
What's the Takeaway?
Sleep is essential for good health, especially as we age. Taking a pill for better sleep can be tempting, but in the long run, the risks might be worse than the benefits.
This study emphasizes the necessity of tackling insomnia more safely and sustainably. Older individuals can enhance their sleep by using non-drug methods.
They should also discuss their sleep issues with their doctors. This way, they can maintain their independence and enjoy a better quality of life.
References
- Chen, T. Y., Lee, S., & Buxton, O. M. (2025). Late-life Disability May Increase with More Frequent Insomnia Symptoms and Sleep Medications Use Over Time. Sleep, zsaf098. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1093/sleep/zsaf098
- Bhaskar, S., Hemavathy, D., & Prasad, S. (2016). Prevalence of chronic insomnia in adult patients and its correlation with medical comorbidities. Journal of family medicine and primary care, 5(4), 780–784. https://doi.org/10.4103/2249-4863.201153
- Penn State. (2025, April 18). Insomnia and sleep medication use connected to disability in older adults. Science Daily. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250418112902.htm
- Killgore W. D. (2010). Effects of sleep deprivation on cognition. Progress in brain research, 185, 105–129. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-444-53702-7.00007-5
- Fernandez-Mendoza, J., & Vgontzas, A. N. (2013). Insomnia and its impact on physical and mental health. Current psychiatry reports, 15(12), 418. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-013-0418-8
- Stewart S. A. (2005). The effects of benzodiazepines on cognition. The Journal of clinical psychiatry, 66 Suppl 2, 9–13. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15762814/
- Rossman J. (2019). Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia: An Effective and Underutilized Treatment for Insomnia. American journal of lifestyle medicine, 13(6), 544–547. https://doi.org/10.1177/1559827619867677
