Senior and Sleep: How Much Do Seniors Need for Optimal Health and Well-Being?

Victoria Senior Home Care  |  March 14, 2024

What Every Senior in Victoria, BC, Needs to Know About the Importance of Sleep and Overnight Care

What do you need to know about seniors and sleep? With age, numerous aspects of our life as we know it will change. One such change that may catch us off guard is our sleep patterns. Surprisingly, 46% of adults aged 65 and above find it difficult to fall asleep and maintain a quality sleep throughout the night.

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

Additionally, it is recommended that individuals aged 65 and above aim for 7-8 hours of sleep per night. Nevertheless, attaining restful sleep can pose a challenge for seniors.

Seniors and Sleep Struggles:

• As people age, their bodies make less of the chemicals and hormones that help them 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, seniors might notice that they fall asleep earlier than usual, wake during the night, or experience insomnia, which can detrimentally affect their daily life quality. Besides impacting mood, insufficient sleep can impair memory and heighten the risk of falls.

Seniors and Sleep Challenges:

• Inadequate rest affects mood: Not getting a restful 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 are, at times, due 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 the risk of breast cancer.

Another key point to mention is that seniors who struggle with sleep should seek assistance from their doctor. With the assistance of a caregiver, seniors can attempt several at-home influencing factors that can promote a peaceful night’s rest.

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: Creating daytime and nighttime routines filled with beneficial activities can impact a senior’s sleep. People need to find out what works for them and create a schedule they can stick to.
• 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 aiming to adjust their daily routines and establish a healthier sleep schedule can rely on Comfort Keepers® for assistance. We can provide support scheduling and creating routines, increase daytime activity, facilitate physician-prescribed exercise and diet plans, and provide transportation to appointments as needed.

Above all, improved sleep fosters greater daytime happiness, and our mission is to promote joy and well-being for every client, irrespective of age or health status.

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

Firstly, if you are concerned about the health and well-being of your aging loved ones, we can help with 24-hour care. We offer senior care, post-surgery care, palliative care, personal care, senior living transition services, and much more! 

Comfort Keepers® Victoria Provides In-Home Elderly Care Services

Aging in place means keeping seniors happy and healthy at home. Comfort Keepers® trained caregivers provide seniors with the highest quality of life possible. In particular, our Interactive Caregiving™ system provides care that addresses safety, nutrition, mind, body, and activities of daily living.

Comfort Keepers® Victoria In-Home Caregivers Can Help with Interactive Caregiving™

Personal and empathetic care starts in the heart and allows us to meet our clients’ needs. Our philosophy is to elevate the human spirit. Our caregivers will be there every step of the way to ensure your loved one has a better quality of life. 

Senior Homecare in Victoria, BC

Our unique services offer families respite care, overnight care, personal care, companionship care, palliative care, and end-of-life care. To learn more, contact the Comfort Keepers Victoria office.

Comfort Keepers® Victoria is Proud to Provide Senior Care and Home Care Services to Keep Seniors Safe in Their Homes

If you are searching for home care near you, we can help! Comfort Keepers® Victoria can provide home care for Victoria and surrounding areas. Service territory includes Colwood, Saanich, Sidney, James Bay, and Oak Bay. Please call (778) 265-5999 and learn how your loved ones can receive compassionate, professional in-home care.

Quality and Accredited Respite Care for British Columbia Families

Comfort Keepers® Victoria has achieved Exemplary Standing accreditation from Accreditation Canada. This accreditation, a rigorous evaluation of organizational processes, policies, and procedures against established quality standards by industry experts, signifies that Comfort Keepers’ offices have successfully met or surpassed the stringent benchmarks for Home Care companies as defined 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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