Night Watch: A Survey of Older Adult Sleep-Tracking

Consumer sleep-tracking wearables are increasingly used by older adults, yet their impact on behavior is underexamined. This study examined how U.S. adults 50 years of age and older use and interpret sleep-tracking data from Fitbit, Apple Watch, and Oura Ring, and how users perceive its influence on sleep-related routines and behaviors. A convergent parallel mixed-methods design was used, combining Likert-scale items and open-ended responses from a survey of older adults with one month or more of wearable use. Quantitative findings (n = 103) indicated high perceived usability (M = 4.14) and usefulness (M = 4.27). The behavior-change composite score (M = 3.78, SD = 0.87) was significantly greater than the neutral midpoint (p < 0.001), suggesting perceived improvements in sleep-related routines. Qualitative analysis (n = 86) identified four themes: sleep tracking as a reflective feedback system, incremental routine adjustments, selective interpretation of metrics, and desire for more actionable guidance. Overall, sleep-tracking devices were associated with increased awareness and modest behavioral adjustments rather than substantial change. These findings suggest that wearables function primarily as reflective tools supporting gradual habit refinement. Future research should evaluate whether these incremental changes translate into sustained improvements in sleep and daytime functioning.