As seniors age, they experience a variety of different challenges. For example, they may have a lot more trouble getting good quality sleep consistently. This has a significant impact on overall wellness and safety. Home care providers can work with seniors to address sleep issues, helping aging adults to have a better overall quality of life as a result.
What Does Consistent Sleep Look Like?
Consistent sleep doesn’t mean that seniors get the same amount of sleep every night. Instead, it means that they’re getting quality sleep in the amounts their bodies need regularly. Seniors with consistent sleep habits have good sleep hygiene and are more likely to feel well-rested from one day to the next with natural variations.
Sleep Disruptions and Daytime Napping
Sleep disruptions and poor sleep are more likely to lead to daytime sleepiness and therefore daytime napping. These naps during the day can be problematic if they interfere even more with nighttime sleep, creating a cyclical issue with sleep. Seniors who sleep a lot during the day are more likely to gradually shift their sleep schedule until they’re sleeping less at night and more during the day.
Consequences of Poor Sleep for Seniors
When seniors don’t get good quality sleep consistently, they experience a variety of consequences. They might deal with memory issues or even cognitive impairment, which can be both frustrating and worrisome, especially if seniors have other risk factors for cognitive illnesses. Seniors with poor sleep quality regularly may also be more anxious, more prone to depression, and have more trouble regulating their moods. They may also be at a greater risk of falling.
Changing Sleep Patterns
As seniors grow older, they are more likely to experience changes in their natural sleep patterns. Their bodies may not produce as much melatonin as they did in the past, making it more difficult to get to sleep. Seniors may find themselves waking up more often during the night, sometimes because of sleep hormones but also for other issues, like nighttime bathroom visits.
Strategies for Better Sleep
Home care providers can do a lot to help seniors find strategies that work to improve their sleep. Creating bedtime routines that help seniors relax and unwind before their chosen bedtimes can make getting to sleep easier. Reducing distractions before bed, like limiting bright lighting and avoiding screens, can also help. Home care providers can also help seniors start a light exercise program consistently as long as their doctors clear them to move more. Working with home care providers can also help aging adults experience less stress as they age in place, which can make it easier to get better sleep regularly.
Getting better sleep more consistently can help aging adults experience a better quality of life overall. Home care providers have a lot of experience working with seniors and families to assess needs around sleep routines and make changes that help improve those results. With their help, seniors can feel more comfortable slowly working toward sleeping better more often.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Home Care Services in Del Mar CA, please call the caring staff at Canaan Home Care today! 1-844-CANAAN-1 (1-844-226-2261)
Canaan Home Care – A Premier Provider of Senior Home Care in the La Jolla, Del Mar, San Diego, Rancho Santa Fe, Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, Huntington Beach, Irvine, Tustin, and Manhattan Beach areas.
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