Sleep, or the lack of it, affects not only a patient s mood and energy level but also the individual s immune system, metabolism, and cardiovascular function. Typically, the sleep cycle of older people is more fragmented than the sleep cycle of younger people. Older people tend to sleep less during the night, are awakened more frequently, take more naps, and sleep more lightly than younger people. Although sleep patterns typically change with age, problems falling or staying asleep, excessive sleeping, and other abnormal sleep-related behaviors in home health patients could be signs of a sleep disorder.