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Neurologist Halyna Chudynska has discussed how sleep needs change with age, saying that adults aged 22 to 55 generally need seven to eight hours of sleep per night to recover.
She argued that people in this age group process large amounts of information, work extensively and often lead active family and professional lives, making adequate rest particularly important.
Chudynska also suggested that people aged 65 and older could manage with as little as five hours of sleep because they process less information and may experience more chronic health conditions and sleep difficulties.
However, this claim conflicts with established health recommendations. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends seven to eight hours of sleep per night for adults aged 65 and older, while the National Institute on Aging advises older adults to aim for around seven to nine hours.
Although sleep patterns can change with age, older adults may experience more fragmented sleep, insomnia or other conditions that interfere with rest. These difficulties do not mean that five hours of sleep is generally sufficient.
Sleep needs vary between individuals, but regularly getting too little sleep can affect physical health, memory, concentration and emotional well-being. Older adults who experience persistent sleep problems should discuss them with a healthcare professional.
Children and teenagers also need age-appropriate amounts of sleep, which generally exceed the seven to eight hours recommended for most adults. For example, school-age children typically need nine to 12 hours, while teenagers need eight to 10 hours per night, according to the CDC.
