Seniors and Sleep

Sleep, like food and water is an essential need in life. Sleep deprivation can cause an immense toll on an individual’s physical, mental and emotional health. For seniors who battle with weakening bodies and age-related health problems, sleep is a highly valued natural remedy for their overall wellbeing. The National Sleep Foundation found that seniors who do not have sleeping disorders or problems tend to be more active and lead better quality lives.

However, good quality sleep tends to become less attainable with age. Sleeping difficulty, insomnia, light sleep and frequent waking have become common experiences among patients above the age of 65. About 15 percent of seniors suffer from poor quality sleep by only attaining light sleep most of the time, thus not getting sufficient deep sleep rest.

Dealing with sleeping difficulty or sleep disorders are battles currently fought by millions of seniors in the world today. Whether seniors are staying at retirement communities, assisted living facilities, nursing homes or their own homes, care givers can provide the following basic care to ensure seniors’ sleeping needs are met. Good quality sleep helps to strength body and mind, enhancing a senior’s quality of life during old age.

• Maintain a regular sleep schedule where seniors are prevented from having too long naps during the day while providing a calm and relaxing environment during the night so that they can turn in at the scheduled time.
• Ensure that seniors exercise or participate in recreational activities on a regular basis. Social interaction with other seniors also helps to reduce stress levels and thus enhances seniors’ sleep abilities.
• Exposure to at least two hours of sunlight during the day can enhance seniors’ melatonin levels, which regulate sleep-wake cycles.
• Care givers should also ensure seniors avoid consumption of alcohol before bedtime and avoid caffeine intake during the latter part of the day.
• Cigarettes, which contain nicotine can also stimulate the senses and keep seniors awake. Therefore seniors who want to improve their sleep habits should quit smoking.