In addition to cognitive difficulties, sleep deprivation also can result in increased anxiety levels and disturbances in memory and may contribute to disordered immune function.2 Poor sleep not only reduces quality of life but also may lead to more adverse outcomes. Seriously compromised total sleep time can predispose the elder to depression, and day- time sleepiness has been found to be a risk or precipitating factor in the development of cardiovascular disease and has been associated with higher rates of mortality.3