Which of the following statements about sleep in the elderly is true?

Elderly individuals often experience more frequent awakenings, which is a common characteristic of sleep patterns in this age group. As people age, their sleep architecture changes. This often results in more fragmented sleep, leading to increased awakenings during the night. This phenomenon can be attributed to various factors, including physiological changes, health conditions, and the use of medications which can impact sleep quality.

Conversely, other statements do not accurately reflect the sleep patterns of older adults. For example, sleep duration does not necessarily increase with age; instead, many older adults may find themselves sleeping less overall. Also, rather than experiencing improved sleep quality, the aging process often leads to a deterioration in sleep quality due to various age-related factors. Finally, while older adults generally require slightly less sleep than younger adults, they still require a significant amount, usually around 7-8 hours, rather than a drastic reduction. Thus, the statement about elderly individuals experiencing more frequent awakenings is well-supported and accurate.