Targeted interventions to promote sleep for hospitalized older adults: a narrative review

The hospital care team should implement patient-centered and customized interventions to promote sleep for hospitalized older adults. Sleep promotion should include, at a minimum, non-pharmacological interventions (e.g. increasing familiarity, reducing sensory stimulation as bedtime approaches, maintaining environmental and behavioral <i>zeitgebers</i>). Pharmacological (e.g. ramelteon, trazadone, doxepin, dual orexin receptor antagonists) and nutraceutical (e.g. melatonin, magnesium) interventions may be appropriate, Certain pharmacological options are considered potentially unsafe for older adults (e.g. benzodiazepines, Z-drugs, antihistamines) and should be avoided in this population.