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 zeitgebers). 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.