Sleep is one of the most important things for good health, but millions of older people don’t get enough of it. As one gets older, their sleep patterns change naturally, which makes it harder to get a good night’s sleep. Understanding some of the common disorders at play and how to better manage them is key, which is where companion care at home comes in.
Common Sleep Problems in Older Adults
Studies have shown that over 50% of individuals aged 65 and older encounter various forms of chronic sleep disturbances. The most common conditions are:
Insomnia: Insomnia is the most common sleep problem among older people. It means having trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up too early. Stress, anxiety, chronic pain, and some medications can all cause or make insomnia worse over time.
Sleep Apnea: Sleep apnea causes breathing to stop and start over and over again, which can make it extremely difficult to get a good night’s rest. Unfortunately, many seniors go for years without getting a diagnosis, even though they exhibit many signs of the disorder, such as being tired during the day, having headaches, and having trouble concentrating.
Restless Legs Syndrome: Restless Legs Syndrome is a condition in which your legs want to move all the time, which makes it very hard to get a good night’s sleep. Not only that, but many seniors are affected by RLS before bedtime, making it hard to relax and watch TV or read a book.
Circadian Rhythm Disruptions: As people get older, their body’s internal clock changes, which can cause circadian rhythm disruptions. Many older people feel tired earlier in the evening and wake up much earlier in the morning, which can be frustrating.
Why a Good NIght’s Rest Matters
Older adults who don’t get enough sleep don’t just feel tired; they also have other problems. For instance, seniors who don’t get enough sleep on a regular basis are more likely to fall, forget things, have weaker immune systems, be depressed, and have heart disease. It can also speed up the decline of cognitive function, which makes conditions like dementia harder to deal with. For older people who already have health problems, not getting enough sleep can make their lives much worse.
How Companion Care at Home Can Help
One of the best ways to get better sleep is to set up a regular schedule. Companion care at home helps seniors with this by encouraging consistent wake-up times, meal times, and bedtime rituals that tell the body it’s time to sleep.
Companion care at home providers also encourage activity during the day. They may suggest taking a walk around the neighborhood or playing board games to keep the mind active. Additionally, for seniors who struggle with napping during the day, caregivers can make sure they don’t nap for too long or too late in the day. All of these things help seniors sleep better at night.
Additionally, they can remind seniors to limit caffeine in the afternoon, dim the lights at night, and encourage relaxing activities before bed, like reading or gentle stretching.
It’s not normal for older people to have sleep problems. However, with companion care at home by their side, they get a caring, individualized approach to their sleep issues that allows them to get a better night’s rest.
Sources:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36503403/
https://www.uclahealth.org/medical-services/sleep-medicine/patient-resources/patient-education/sleep-older
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/004018.htm
https://www.healthline.com/health/sleep/sleep-disorders-in-the-elderly
If you or an aging loved one are considering home care assistance in Durham, NH, please contact the caring staff at Assisting Hands Home Care – Seacoast NH today! 603-824-8200
Assisting Hands Home Care – Seacoast NH provides exceptional home care in Portsmouth, Rye, New Castle, North Hampton, Hampton, Stratham, Exeter, Durham, Dover, Seabrook, Greenland, Rochester, Hampton Falls and surrounding areas.
