This study was designed to identify new-onset and chronic sleep medication users, establish characteristics of users and explore evidence of risks associated with the utilization of prescription sleep medications among older adults.

New-onset and chronic sleep medication users were identified from pharmaceutical records. Users were characterized by sleep disorders, depression and pain and were at increased risk for falls, emergency room visits and inpatient admissions.

This study highlights the importance of assessing underlying conditions associated with sleep problems among older adults. Addressing these issues may lead to a decrease in use of prescription sleep medications and thus reduce the risk of sleep medication-related adverse events.