## common Sleep Aid Use linked to Accelerated Aging and Loss of Autonomy in Seniors
the effects of certain medications are particularly vital to consider as we age.A โrecent American-Taiwanese study, published in the journal *Sleep*,โฃ highlights a concerning link between regular sleepingโ pill use, sleep disorders, and a faster decline in autonomy among โseniors.
Millions of French people rely on โmedication to manage sleep. As sleepโ isโฃ crucial for overall well-being, especially for theโฃ elderly, many seniorsโ turn โฃto sleeping pills to combat insomnia. However, researchers now suggest that consistent use of these medications, combined with existing sleep disturbances, couldโ accelerate the aging process and diminish independence.Theโค study analyzed data from over 6,700 participants aged 65 andโข over,correlating the frequency of insomnia symptoms and sleeping pill consumption with a “disability score” measuringโ their ability to perform daily tasks like dressing,eating,and bathing.
The results revealedโค a โขclear trend: disability โincreased annually in proportion to both theโ frequency โof insomnia symptoms *and* the use of sleeping pills. While sleep disorders alone contributed to a loss โof autonomy, regular sleeping pill use led โขto an even *greater* โคincrease in incapacity scores.
This โfinding is particularly relevant in France, where โขconsumption of benzodiazepines andโฃ related drugs is high. Commonly prescribed medicationsโ include โHavlane, Mogadon, Nactalon,โค Stilnox, and Imovane. According to the French Medicines โSafety Agency โ(ANSM),โฃ “France is the 2nd most โconsumer country of Benzodiazepines in Europe โafter Spain.” In 2024,over 9 million French people were treated with a benzodiazepine,including approximately 3 million seniors (based on 2012 data from the High Authority for Health). The ANSM confirms that seniors over 65 are the population most affected by benzodiazepine use, โfrequently enough receivingโ prescriptions โfor extended durations, and are at increased riskโฃ of falls and other serious consequences.
Despite these risks,theโ ANSM recommends that sleepingโค pills should not be used for โmore than three weeks to treat โinsomnia. Improved insomnia treatment and stricter oversight of sleeping โคpill prescriptions for theโฃ elderly โcould help prevent lossโฃ of autonomy and preserve quality of life. โข
“Many elderlyโ people believe that sleepโ disorders are an integral โpart of aging,but this is โฃa real problemโค that must be solved,” emphasizes Soomi lee,co-author ofโค the American study and professor at Pennsylvania State University.
