As people become older, their sleep patterns gradually change, which can lead to issues with falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up too early. Seniors may also sleep lighter and spend less time in deep sleep stages, leaving them feeling less refreshed. These changes are frequently associated with modifications in circadian rhythms, health issues, and medication side effects.

Both home care providers and loved ones can help seniors acclimate to these changes to help them get a better night’s sleep.

What Issues Are Caused by Lack of Sleep?

Poor sleep in seniors can cause various problems, including impaired cognitive performance, mood swings, and a compromised immune system. Additionally, sleep disorders such as insomnia, sleep apnea, and restless leg syndrome are also more common in seniors, making it more difficult to sleep well.

Signs That Seniors Aren’t Getting Enough Sleep

Sleep deprivation in seniors frequently manifests as physical and cognitive symptoms that can impact everyday activities. Home care providers and loved ones may notice a drop in the senior’s energy level or that they want to nap during the day.

Additionally, seniors may have dark circles under their eyes or puffiness. Poor sleep can also cause seniors to have difficulty concentrating and forgetfulness, which might be misread as something else. Recognizing these signs early is essential since treating sleep problems can dramatically enhance a senior’s overall quality of life and lower the chance of long-term health concerns.

Promoting Better Sleep

There are several steps that loved ones and home care providers can take to help seniors get a better night’s rest, including the following:

• Creating a Comfortable Sleep Environment: This can be done by keeping the bedroom calm, dark, and cool to promote good sleep. Also, loved ones should explore comfortable bedding and a supportive mattress to ensure seniors have all they need.
• Establishing a Routine: Seniors must have a consistent routine when sleeping and getting up. This can help regulate the internal clock. In addition, home care providers can help seniors prepare for bedtime by encouraging light activities, such as reading or listening to relaxing music, both of which help the body and mind calm down.
• Promoting Daytime Activities: Physical activity during the day, even simple exercises like walking, improves sleep quality. In addition, daytime exposure to natural light promotes healthy circadian rhythms.
• Addressing Health Issues: Loved ones should be aware of the senior’s medical issues and medications and how they might affect sleep. If concerns exist, it’s essential to talk with the healthcare team to see if there might be alternatives to consider.

How Home Care Helps

Home care services help seniors in a number of ways, including managing daily routines, monitoring health changes, and enforcing sleep-promoting habits. They can also provide companionship, which helps to alleviate emotions of loneliness and anxiety that can interfere with sleep.

Home care can also help ensure seniors stay active throughout the day, even working out with them. At the same time, they can also watch for issues that might occur throughout the day that will impact seniors’ sleep and help them make changes to reduce those things.

Families and home care providers can dramatically improve seniors’ quality of life by understanding how sleep changes with age and using supportive techniques that allow them to sleep better.

If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring Home Care in Davis, CA, contact the friendly staff at Home Care Professionals today.

Call (866)-940-4855

Sources:

• https://www.helpguide.org/aging/healthy-aging/how-to-sleep-well-as-you-age
• https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/004018.htm#:~:text=Some%20of%20these%20medicines%20can,take%20may%20affect%20your%20sleep.
• https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/sleep/good-nights-sleep#:~:text=Keep%20your%20bedroom%20at%20a,they%20can%20keep%20you%20awake.

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andy@hcprosonline.com

CEO at HomeCare Professionals

Andy Howardis a Bay Area Native who holds a BA in Political Science (University of Colorado at Boulder, ’97). After college Andy worked in the surging tech industry.His Grandmother however, would suffer a significant decline in health and ultimately needed in-home care. The experience of a loved one depending on outside help to age in place proved to be pivotal for Andy as he left the tech industry in 2002 for an opportunity in the home care world with a large provider. After having success in home care, but being frustrated by corporate constraints Andy founded HomeCare Professionals in 2005.He methodically built the company one client at a time by focusing on hiring quality caregivers to ensure positive outcomes. Currently Andy serves as the CEO of HomeCare Professionals and is also highly active in the non-profit organization California Association of Health Services at Home (CAHSAH) which advocates for a higher standard of in-home care for those who wish to remain living at home in California.

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