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Study finds risks in sleep aids for seniors

LTC Liability Monitor, November 24, 2005

A study by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto suggested that sleep aids, despite aiding the sleep patterns of the elderly, may also lead to increased daytime fatigue and thinking difficulties, reported BBC News World Edition.

The Centre reviewed 24 trials that included nearly 2,500 participants aged 60 or older, all treated for insomnia using either sedative pills or placebos. While participants who took the sedatives reported better sleep quality and fewer nighttime awakenings, they reported additional problems at a much higher level than participants who took the placebo.

The study also found those risks greater in elderly who were at high risk for falls or mental impairments, BBC News reported.

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