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March 11, 2020
Sleep plays an important part in everyone’s mental and physical health. Spending your nights tossing and turning is putting your health at risk.
Did you know that 46 percent of adults over the age of 65 are struggling with falling asleep regularly? Is your aging parent or family member part of this percentage?
If your loved one lives at home alone, be sure to ask them personally or ask their in home health care Omaha caregiver if they struggle to sleep.
Why is sleep important for seniors?
As you start to age, you begin to see changes in your sleeping patterns. Seniors wake up earlier and become sleepy sooner. Struggling to fall asleep is not a healthy sleeping pattern for seniors.
Seniors need at least 7.5 to nine hours of sleep every night. Aging adults need enough sleep to help their memory, concentrate, repair damaged cells and refresh their immune system.
Not getting enough sleep puts seniors at risk of developing heart problems, diabetes and even gaining weight. It’s essential to help your senior loved one sleep better at night!
Signs a senior isn’t sleep enough
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Moodiness
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Unproductive
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Gained weight
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Sleepy during the day
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Stress
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Forgetting things
Causes for lack of sleep in seniors
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Medication
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Poor sleep habitats
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Menopause and postmenopause
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Being inactive
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Stress
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No social engagement
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A sleep disorder
How to help seniors sleep better
If your senior loved one is having restless nights, here are five tips from home health care Omaha professionals on how to help seniors sleep better.
Avoid naps
Sometimes skipping an afternoon nap can help your aging parent sleep at night. Encourage them to do something active around a napping time to avoid falling asleep.
Skip the TV
Whether your loved one loves to watch the tv or scroll through their phone before bed, you want to tell them to avoid it. The blue lights from these devices delay your body’s internal clock. It is recommended for individuals to stop using these devices 30 minutes to an hour before heading to sleep.
Don’t eat certain foods
Yes, believe it or not, but food can also impact a senior’s sleep. Make sure your senior loved one isn’t having a heavy late meal. Having a large meal right before bed makes it difficult for your body to digest it, causing you to toss and turn. You also want to tell a senior loved one not to drink caffeinated drinks, sweets or greasy foods.
Set a bedtime
One possible reason for lack of sleep is not having a bedtime. They need to set a specific time for the body to rest every night. Have them pick a particular time they should follow every day, including weekends.
Take a bath before bed
If your senior loved one struggles to feel relaxed, have them take a bath before bed. A bath can help unwind from stress or pains they could have experienced throughout the day.
Keep them active
One of the causes of lack of sleep is being inactive. Doing some form of exercise can release chemicals that help sleep. Whether you or an in-home caregiver, take them on walks, swimming lessons or dancing to help them stay active.
If you have a senior in your life that needs help staying active, preparing nutritious meals or taking baths, hire a home health care Omaha caregiver. Contact Akkase Home Health Care to set up your consultation.
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