Abstract: With the increase of age, the elderly will undergo a series of behavioral changes, especially sleep changes and cognitive impairment problems will become more serious. Despite those two changes can occur independently, it cannot be denied that the presence of sleep problems, especially sleep-related disorders may increase the risk of age-related cognitive impairment. This review analyzed the characteristics of sleep among the elderly population, and explored the relationship between characteristics of sleep and cognitive impairment so as to provide new ideas and methods for early prevention of cognitive impairment.