Senior Sleep Problems: What You Should Know About Sleeping Patterns as We Age

Senior Health and Wellbeing  |  April 7, 2021

What Every Senior in Vancouver, BC, Needs to Know About Sleep and Sleep Problems

Senior Sleep Problems | Many older adults are worried about their health and wellbeing if they are unable to get a good night’s rest. While some conditions can affect sleep and require immediate action (like sleep apnea, arthritis, restless leg syndrome, etc.), most seniors can resolve their sleep problems with simple lifestyle changes.

Senior Sleep Habits: What Changes as You Age?

With age, sleeping patterns normally change. Older adults may complain that they are not sleeping as well as when they were younger, but changes in sleeping habits are indeed a natural part of aging. For example, seniors tend to go to bed and wake up earlier than younger adults. Seniors can also become light sleepers, meaning they can frequently wake up during the night. And older adults generally sleep less than younger adults (according to some estimates, seniors sleep as much as 15% less than younger people).

So, while all of this is normal, these kinds of sleeping changes can be very frustrating for seniors. As a result of sleep problems, older adults can feel tired throughout the day, have difficulty falling asleep in the evening, or experience frequent insomnia episodes.

Senior Sleep: How to Improve Your Sleep

But there are ways to solve sleeping problems and help older adults sleep better (and thus feel better physically and mentally). Here are some proven tips that can help you or your loved one get a good night’s sleep every night:

• Establish and follow a sleeping schedule. This means going to bed and getting up at roughly the same time every day.
• Do not take long naps during the day. While it can be hard to resist taking a nap after a restless night, napping can only make it harder to fall asleep in the evening.
• Be active during the day and engage in regular physical activity.
• Limit caffeine and alcohol intake, especially in the evening.
• Spend time outdoors, in the sun.
• Do not read, watch the TV, or browse the internet in bed. The bed should be for sleeping only.
• Engage in a relaxing activity before going to bed, like taking a shower or bath.

These tips and tricks should be able to help resolve any sleep problems you or your loved one may have. However, if the sleep problems persist despite making healthy lifestyle changes, you should talk to your doctor to determine the cause of the problems and get adequate help.

The Best Senior Home Care Provider in Vancouver, BC, is Comfort Keepers®

Many families prefer Comfort Keepers® when arranging senior home care services for a loved one in or around Vancouver, British Columbia. 

If you are concerned about the health and well-being of your aging loved ones, we can help with 24-hour care. Comfort Keepers Vancouver also provides home care services like respite care, overnight care, Alzheimer’s disease and dementia care, personal care, and more! 

Comfort Keepers® Vancouver Can Help with Companion Care and Interactive Caregiving™

Personal and empathetic care starts in the heart and allows us to meet our clients’ needs. Comfort Keeper’s philosophy is to elevate the human spirit, and our caregivers ensure your loved one experiences a better quality of life.

Trained caregivers help provide our senior clients with personal home care to help maintain the highest possible quality of life, keeping them happy and healthy at home. Our Interactive Caregiving™ delivers a system of care that addresses safety, nutrition, mind, body, and activities of daily living (ADLs).

Bring The Best Home Care Assistance for Seniors Right Where You Live with Comfort Keepers®

Comfort Keepers® Vancouver is proud to provide elder care in homes throughout Vancouver, keeping seniors safe in their homes. We provide home care for the seniors of Vancouver and the surrounding areas of Burnaby, Langley, Maple Ridge, and Richmond. Please call (604) 689-8609. 

Personal Care and Senior Homecare in Vancouver, BC

Learn more about our unique service, which offers personal care, companionship care, palliative care, and end-of-life care by contacting the Comfort Keepers® Vancouver office.

Accredited and Quality Respite Care Available 24/7 for British Columbia Families

Accreditation Canada has awarded Comfort Keepers® Vancouver with Exemplary Standing. This designation is only achieved after an organization’s policies, procedures, and processes undergo a thorough evaluation by industry experts to ensure they meet or exceed the stringent quality standards set by Accreditation Canada for Home Care companies.

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