Seniors are chronically sleep deprived, and that can have a big impact on their health. Not getting enough sleep can increase the risk of many serious illnesses like diabetes, obesity, heart disease, and dementia. When seniors don’t get at least 7-9 hours of sleep at night the may lose their cognitive skills at a faster rate if they have a disease like Alzheimer’s too. Sleep is critically important for seniors.

But millions of seniors struggle to get restful sleep. Medications that can cause restlessness contribute to sleep problems. So do conditions like anxiety. But there are some things that seniors can do to try and get more sleep and to get better quality sleep like:

Senior Home Care

Seniors are aging at home may experience severe anxiety at night, especially if they have recently lost a partner or a spouse. Being alone in the house at night can be scary and stressful for seniors, even if they typically feel safe in their neighborhood. Senior home care overnight can help seniors feel less anxious. They will have the peace of mind of knowing that someone will be there while they sleep to watch out for them and make sure they are ok. Sometimes just knowing someone else is there is enough to help seniors fall asleep faster and sleep better at night. 

Stick To A Routine

Getting up at the same time each day and going to bed at the same time each day are highly recommended for seniors who have trouble sleeping. When seniors retire from working they often struggle with insomnia or sleeplessness because they no longer that routine of getting up at a certain time each day and going to bed at a certain time each night. Seniors should pick a bedtime and a wake up time and stick to that schedule. It will help them feel awake each morning and feel sleepy at night. 

Exercise Daily

Daily exercise is another great way to get seniors to sleep better. Seniors who are exercising daily, even if it’s just going for a walk, will have a better Circadian rhythm to keep their sleep cycle regular. And the daily physical exertion will tire them out so that they are sleepy when it’s time for bed. If your senior parent tries walking around the block every day for a week they will likely see a dramatic difference in their ability to sleep at night. 

Get Comfy 

When was the last time your senior loved one got a new mattress? Or a cozy new quilt? Seniors who are having trouble sleeping should invest in a high-quality mattress, nice sheets, thick pillows, and other luxury items that will make them cozy and comfortable in bed at night. Blankets and sheets made from natural fibers like cotton and linen are very cozy and also will breathe well allowing for air circulation and better comfort. High quality bedding is an investment that will pay off in better sleep.

If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring Senior Home Care in Mauldin, SC, contact Heart of the Carolinas Home Care at 864-991-3116.  Providing Home Care Services in Greenville, Simpsonville, Greer, Anderson, Spartanburg, Mauldin, Seneca, Laurens, Charleston, Columbia and the surrounding areas.

Source:

https://www.sleepfoundation.org/aging-and-sleep

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Edward Harrison

Founder at Heart of the Carolinas

Edward Harrison founded the Heart of the Carolinas Homecare in 2007 when he saw there was a need for caregivers that provide non-medical home care services, at a price that most people could afford. It was standard in the industry to require hourly minimums and it was common to be assigned a caregiver, not matched with one based on your individual personal needs. Edward understood that to make a successful relationship between caregiver and client, skills were not enough, personality and compatibility plays as much a role as do skills.

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