Why do elderly people often feel afraid when going to sleep at night?

Generally, if elderly individuals often feel afraid when sleeping at night, it may be caused by unfamiliar sleep environments, heightened nighttime sensory perception, anxiety disorder, vascular dementia, Parkinson's disease with associated psychiatric disorders, or other reasons. If symptoms persist, it is recommended to seek timely medical evaluation and treatment at a正规 hospital. Specific causes are analyzed as follows:

1. Unfamiliar Sleep Environment

After changing living environments, elderly individuals may feel uneasy and fearful at night due to unfamiliarity with the surrounding furnishings and sounds. Placing familiar personal items in the room, maintaining an interior layout similar to their previous home, and having family members stay nearby to chat before bedtime can help them adapt to the new environment.

2. Heightened Nighttime Sensory Perception

Elderly individuals experience reduced regulation of vision and hearing at night, causing even slight noises or changes in light and shadow to be amplified, which may trigger fear. Drawing curtains before bedtime, using soft night lights, and turning off unnecessary electronic devices can help reduce environmental stimuli.

3. Anxiety Disorder

Prolonged concerns about health, loneliness, and other issues in the elderly can lead to increased anxiety at night when emotional inhibition weakens, manifesting as fear. Medications such as paroxetine hydrochloride tablets, fluvoxamine maleate tablets, and mirtazapine tablets may be used under medical guidance, along with psychological counseling to alleviate emotional distress.

4. Vascular Dementia

Cerebrovascular disease damages cognitive function in the brain, worsening disorientation at night and leading to fear due to confusion about surroundings. Under medical supervision, medications such as nimodipine tablets, citicoline sodium capsules, and piracetam tablets may be prescribed. In severe cases, cerebrovascular bypass surgery may be required to improve cerebral blood flow.

5. Parkinson’s Disease with Psychiatric Complications

Parkinson’s disease disrupts neurotransmitter balance in the brain, causing mental abnormalities, including nighttime fear and hallucinations. Medications such as pramipexole hydrochloride tablets, levodopa-benserazide tablets, and olanzapine tablets may be prescribed under medical supervision. Family members should provide close supervision at night to prevent accidents.

In daily life, efforts should be made to maintain a stable living environment for the elderly; spend more time with them during the day and encourage participation in social activities; schedule regular health checkups to monitor physical and mental well-being; and avoid discussing topics that may provoke worry before bedtime, helping the elderly relax and fall asleep more easily.