Which of the following statements accurately describes how sleep changes as people age?

• A. Older adults typically spend more time in deep sleep stages compared to younger adults.
• B. The need for sleep increases significantly as people age.
• C. Older adults tend to experience lighter sleep and more frequent awakenings during the night.
• D. Sleep duration and quality remain unchanged throughout adulthood.

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that sleep architecture changes as people age, affecting both the quality and quantity of sleep.
2. Recognize that older adults generally experience a decrease in deep sleep stages (such as slow-wave sleep) and an increase in lighter sleep stages.
3. Note that older adults tend to have more frequent awakenings during the night, leading to fragmented sleep.
4. Acknowledge that the overall need for sleep does not significantly increase with age; rather, the ability to maintain continuous, restorative sleep decreases.
5. Conclude that the statement 'Older adults tend to experience lighter sleep and more frequent awakenings during the night' accurately describes how sleep changes with aging.