Senior Health and Well-Being: How Much Sleep Do Our Elderly Loved Ones Need?

Senior Health and Wellbeing  |  March 14, 2024

What Every Senior in North and West Vancouver, BC Needs to Know About the Importance of Sleep 

Seniors and Sleep | As we age, various aspects of our lives shift, and one aspect that often catches us by surprise is our sleep patterns. 46% of adults aged 65 and older experience difficulty falling asleep and maintaining quality sleep throughout the night regularly.

#DYK – Insomnia is the most common sleep problem in adults 60 and older.

Individuals in the senior age group, typically 65 and older, are recommended to strive for 7-8 hours of sleep each night. Nevertheless, attaining restful and rejuvenating sleep can pose a challenge for this demographic.

Seniors and Sleep Struggles:

• With age, our bodies make less of the chemicals and hormones that help us sleep well.
• Some seniors develop sensitivity to environmental factors affecting sleep, including noise and temperature.
• The parts of the brain that control sleep are affected by conditions such as Parkinson’s disease or stroke.
• Arthritis and other conditions can also play a role in sleep quality due to chronic pain.

Moreover, older adults may experience earlier bedtime, nocturnal awakenings, or insomnia, which can detrimentally affect their daily life quality. Beyond mood disturbances, insufficient sleep can impair memory function and heighten the risk of falls.

Seniors and Sleep Challenges:

• Inadequate rest affects mood: Not getting enough sleep can cause irritability, stress, problems with concentration, and mood swings. Long-term sleep deprivation can lead to cognitive issues and depression.
• When seniors don’t sleep, their bodies suffer; headaches, body aches and weakness can sometimes be attributed to lack of sleep.
• Being tired can contribute to illness: When tired, an older adult’s immune system doesn’t perform as well, opening the door to illness and infection. Some studies have shown that lack of sleep can lead to heart problems and diabetes and it has even been associated with an increase in risk of breast cancer.

If seniors are struggling with sleep, seeking guidance from their doctor is advisable. There are several home-based approaches seniors and their caregivers can explore to promote a peaceful and restorative night’s sleep.

Seniors and Sleep – Tips for a Better Night’s Sleep:

• Having a sleep schedule: going to bed at the same time every night, and getting up at the same time every morning, helps a person adjust to a natural sleep rhythm.
• Being mindful about eating habits: alcohol, spicy foods, caffeine and a diet high in sugar can all cause sleep issues. Eating and drinking close to bedtime can also be a problem for some – rather than having a full meal before bed, it’s better to have a light snack or warm milk.
• Creating an individualized sleep plan: changing nighttime routines, and daily activities, can impact sleep. People need to find out what works for them, create a schedule and stick to it! Consistency is key. Some people find that more physical activity during the day helps them sleep better. Others find that napping during the day makes it harder to sleep at night, while some aren’t affected. Meditation before bed, a warm bath or reading time at night can all be part of a sleep plan if they help.

Seniors who aim to adjust their daily routines to achieve better sleep, and Comfort Keepers® is here to assist the families that need it. Our services encompass support with scheduling and routines, promoting increased daytime activity, implementing physician-prescribed exercise and dietary plans, and offering transportation to scheduled appointments. Enhanced sleep quality correlates with increased daytime happiness, and our mission is to facilitate a joyful life for every client, regardless of age or individual needs.

The Best Senior Home Assistance Care in North and West Vancouver is Comfort Keepers®

Our senior home care agency offers in-home care focusing on aging in place. Our services include dementia care, end-of-life care, post-surgery care, and palliative care. Comfort Keepers can assist seniors with living transition services, personal care, companionship care, and more! 

Quality and Accredited Elderly Care: Happier, Healthier, and at Home with 24/7 Senior Care Opportunities!

Do you need a home care solution for yourself or a loved one? Have you been thinking about retirement homes and their alternatives as a solution? Comfort Keepers® enables seniors to maintain happy, healthy lives in the comfort of their own homes. In-home care services are available in North Vancouver, West Vancouver, and the surrounding areas.

Comfort Keepers® is a Senior Care Agency That Can Make a Difference with Interactive Caregiving™

Our in-home caregivers ensure our senior clients have the best quality of life. The Interactive Caregiving™ program ensures that a senior’s safety, nutrition, mental well-being, and everyday needs are met. This program brings joy and good health to each client’s home.

Comfort Keepers® North Vancouver and West Vancouver Can Help with In-Home Elderly Care Services!

If you are concerned about the health and well-being of a loved one we can help! Comfort Keepers offers 24-hour care and delivers top-quality and compassionate care for seniors.  We are dedicated to safety technology solutions that foster independence and enhance well-being.

Locally Owned and Operated Home Health Care Agency

Our care centers around companionship for seniors. Empathetic care originates from the soul and allows us to meet our client’s requirements. The seasoned in-home caregivers employed by Comfort Keepers are carefully chosen based on their empathetic qualities.  

Contact the Comfort Keepers® North Vancouver and West Vancouver office at (604) 998-8806 to learn more about our unique in-home care solutions for seniors.

Comfort Keepers is an Accredited Senior Care Agency in North and West Vancouver, BC

Accreditation is a rigorous process that involves industry experts evaluating an organization’s processes, policies, and procedures. Comfort Keepers® North and West Vancouver has been awarded Exemplary Standing by Accreditation Canada. This achievement recognizes that Comfort Keepers® meets or exceeds the stringent quality standards for Home Care companies established by Accreditation Canada.

References
Washington Post. “Sleep patterns can change with aging. Does that mean health troubles ahead?” Web. 2019.
Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. “Get Enough Sleep.” Web.
Health Magazine. “11 Surprising Health Benefits of Sleep.” Web. 2018.

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