The importance of getting a good nights sleep is inarguable and cannot be under estimated. It is just as important for your mental and physical health as it was when you were younger.
It is normal for things to change as we get older and this can include our sleeping patterns like falling asleep earlier. However, feeling restless or regularly experiencing disturbed sleep is not a normal part of ageing and could be caused by something else.
Although sleep requirements can vary from person to person, it is recommended that an adult gets between 7-9 hours of sleep per night. Waking up and feeling unrested or tired during the day, this is the best indication that you are not getting enough sleep at night.
Possible causes of sleep problems in older adults
Understanding what could be causing Insomnia or sleep troubles can be a huge step towards improving your sleep. Theses issues can caused by a multitude of things, sometimes including pain or medical issues.
Conditions such as:
- Arthritis
- Asthma
- Osteoporosis
- Heartburn
- Weakened Bladder
There are just some of the conditions that can potentially interfere with your sleep cycle or decrease the quality of your sleep.
Medications
Your patient will most likely require medication to take as part of their daily routine. It’s important to help your patient take these on time and as requested by their doctor. Some of these may be tablets that may cause side effects which can reduce the quality of sleep. Looking into this can be one way of improving your sleep and seeing if alternative medication may be available should it be causing issues.
Ways to improve your sleep at night
Naturally boost melatonin levels:
If you have an artificial light on in a room, your body will suppress the release of melatonin which is the hormone that makes you sleepy. We recommend installing some low-wattage bulbs and to turn off electronic devices at least an hour before going to sleep. If you’re patient enjoys reading books, articles, etc. on an electronic device, we would recommend opting for something like a physical copy of a magazine instead.
Ensure your patient’s bedroom is quiet, dark, and cool, and their bed is comfortable:
As we age, our hearing will become more sensitive to noise and light. Heat is also something that you become more aware of as you age. For your patient to sleep as comfortably as they can, we would recommend a pair of soft ear plugs, a sleep mask, or a sound machine can massively improve your patient’s quality of sleep.
Looking into things that can help with reducing sleep issues with older adults can help your patient get back on track with their sleeping cycles and improve their health drastically both physically and mentally. There are other things that can also be done to help improve your physical and mental health. Learn more about it with our ‘Mental and Physical Activities to Improve Your Health At Home’ blog.
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