Do the old really need that much sleep?

i like about six to seven hours of sleep - and about two to three hours before to just relax , take it easy ... ...
but i can get away with less for a few days , but not for long .
not everyone seems to have they same requirements and sleep patterns .
hbg

http://www.medications.com/news/view/109804

I find I need at least 6 hours.

I'm more like 5 hours a night but once a week I sometimes have a catch up 7 hour. I probably get less than 5 hours because I tend to wake up during quite often during sleep.

I've often heard/read that the old don't sleep as much, but I sleep about the same amount of time. Once in a while just a few hours, if I happen to have a book that I want to finish and read my way through most of the night, waking up about the same time anyway - but usually six to eight hours. I was a candle burner in my youth and really enjoy not having to show up at an early morning work hour now.. very luxurious.

I did read within the last few days that not getting enough sleep seems to be related to heart attack data - someone somewhere did a study related to daylight savings time changes - with less attacks the few days immediately after the winter change and more re the summer change. I'll post a link if I see that again.

Re McCain, I dunno. People have different styles and his might be generally less go get 'em. If I was allied with any campaign I'd probably be sleeping little the week before the election day, even though I'm older.

I don't assume that the more active person is wiser, smarter, more effective. But.. a lot of the time, I think so. The kind of nervy energy seems to help people think of last minute activities that might make a difference in outcome.

I suspect he is just unwell as well as being quite old....I also suspect he has some major post trauma symptoms (his anger outbursts hint at this as well as his history) and he cannot handle the stress of campaigning for long hours.

I don't think there is an "old people need x hours sleep" thing...I think it depends on the person. I have seen a man of 100 who was knocked off his bicycle and fractured many bones being a hyperactive if charming menace to all in his wheelchair......and fifty year olds with the energy of a tortoise.

I just doubt that this particular man can cope with long hours of campaigning.

Personally, my sleeping habits and patterns haven't changed significantly since I was in my 20s or 30s. I'll turn 70 in two months.

My grandmother, who, as was the case with her older sister, lived well into her 90s, was saying in her 70s that she didn't need as much sleep. A life-long early riser, she simply went to bed much later as she got older. I have pretty much the same experience, although i'm not yet 60 (gettin' close, but not yet).

That is, of course, anecdotal evidence. That, plus $2.75, will get you a bus ride across town.

Or perhaps he has just given up and conceded defeat

Well, if he's elected, there won't be so many demands for his time. He can be Reaganesque, and nap through cabinet meetings.