A good night’s sleep is almost unheard of for senior citizens. Most people find this hard to believe, but when you consider the amount of naps that you or the senior in your life are taking, you’ll quickly confirm that full night’s of sleep just aren’t happening. This is a pretty common issue for elderly individuals, and even just people as they get older. Adults require an average of 7 to 8 hours of sleep to function well during the day, but as we get older our bodies have a difficult time falling into deep sleep or staying asleep; sleep schedules become more choppy and and less energizing.
This does primarily happen with age, but other factors can be included. A healthy senior can still expect to wake up several times through the night, but seniors that suffer from Alzheimer’s, heart disease or arthritis can expect to spend most of their night tossing and turning. If you aren’t sure what’s causing your lack of sleep, you can talk to your doctor about having a test done that will help evaluate if there are any health problems leading to restless nights.
Some ways that you can increase your chances for a quality night of sleep are:
- avoiding meals before bed
- avoid caffeine or other stimulants
- have a routine
- avoid naps
- participate in physical activities
Sticking to a schedule and planning for bed can help your body get into a relaxed and ready mode. If you lay in bed for longer than 20 minutes, try activities that are soothing like reading a book, listening to light music or drinking a glass of decaffeinated tea.
Take care of your body by providing it with the rest it needs. The team at Wilson Care loves assisting the elderly that we work with, and we will help you get back on a routine that accounts for a solid sleep schedule. Have one of the professionals at Wilson Care provide you with the best home health care in Honolulu.
