[Sleep disorders in the aged and their treatment]

A shortening of sleep duration is going along with aging. Several somatic diseases and different psychiatric disorders, which increasingly occur in old people cause sleep disorders. Thus patients suffering from disturbed sleep must be examined carefully before treatment. Benzodiazepines and Clomethiazol are potent and save drugs for sleep disorders in the aged. Antidepressants and neuroleptics should be applicated only for sleep disorders caused by underlying psychiatric diseases.