The Importance of Quality Sleep for Seniors
By Ewa Frydel, Owner
Sleep patterns change when we get older, especially if we already have health issues. This is most probable with our senior loved ones.
The irony is that poor quality sleep exacerbates health concerns, affecting our seniors' health and quality of life.
All of our bodies restore while we are sleeping, mentally and physically. For senior citizens, those are two areas of health that should never be taken lightly.
Let’s look into ways we can help our elderly to sleep more soundly.
The Benefits of Quality Sleep for Seniors
Physical health. We mentioned that physical health is restored and repaired while we sleep. A good night’s rest is important to helping your senior thrive with better physical conditions, less pain, more circulation, and rested muscles. Quality sleep also supports physical health by preventing age-related diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.
Mental health. We also mentioned mental health is supported by quality sleep. Cognitive health is a major concern most of us have regarding our senior loved ones. Sleep helps regulate mood and improves cognitive function. Seniors are at a high risk of memory loss, depression, and dementia. So sleep is crucial to preventing these diseases.
Fight of sickness. Good sleep builds the immune system, helping our seniors ward off illness… fighting the bad guys in their sleep.
If those benefits don’t get you wanting to snuggle up in bed, maybe these tips for improving sleep for seniors will get you there.
Make it a habit. Regular sleep schedules help your senior get sleepy around the same time each day. That’s very important because changing their biological clocks around sleep can increase the risk of insomnia or tossing and turning all night, as well as appetite.
Create a den-like bedroom. Make their room cozy, temperature-controlled coolness, dark and quiet. If you need to decorate with more calming colors, see if your senior is into it. Try dark grays or blues. Ocean colors help soothe our minds and help us become calm.
No stimulants or cookies. Keep your aging parent away from high sugary foods, alcohol, caffeine (even chocolate has caffeine), and nicotine 2-3 hours before bedtime. If your senior loves to have something before bed, try a soothing herbal tea with non-dairy milk or one that is low-fat. Try not to have too much liquid right before bed. Hydration shouldn’t wait until the end of the day.
Exercise. We mention physical activity a lot, but that’s because it has amazing benefits! Exercise helps get our seniors sleepy because the body knows, the more it moves, the more it needs to rest overnight. When your senior build muscles, they naturally feel tired because the body is requesting time for recovery.
Keep calm. Find activities that your senior will enjoy right before bedtime that keeps them calm. Can they meditate? Listen to an audiobook? How about playing some white or brown noise? Get them into their pajamas, too. Sometimes just wearing our sleep clothes sends the signal to the brain that it is time to relax. Melatonin will start to kick in with anything you can add to your nightly routine that signifies sleep is coming.
Sleep is essential for all of us.
Good sleep is even more essential.
Seniors and babies are two generations who need high quality sleep.
Talk to your aging loved one about starting up new routines to get better sleep. Build new habits around quality sleep and your senior will reduce the risk of age-related diseases, and enjoy a better quality of life.
Quality sleep means quality life.
For more tips on helping your senior get quality sleep, contact us.
We’re here to help!
Legal Disclaimer
This blog provides general information and discussions about tips for the elderly to get good sleep and should not be construed as medical advice.
