For many elderly folk, keeping a normal sleep schedule can be a lot harder than it was when they were younger. There are a variety of reasons why this might happen. Understanding those reasons can help seniors not just to overcome them, but also to live a healthier life as they do age.
Part of the issue for many can be the issue of activity. Physical and mental exercise is an important part of health and as we age, this kind of activity can slow down. That’s a natural part of life–exercise can be a lot harder when there are physical issues that make movement a bit harder or more painful. But when exercise is reduced, oftentimes sleep can become a bit more elusive.
It’s important to note that during the pandemic, Americans saw a significant decrease in the amount of exercise they partook in. Seniors are included in this category. This trend still hasn’t fully reversed itself, meaning that we are worse off as a country when it comes to the physical activity that we engaged in than we were back in 2019. Unfortunately, seniors bear the brunt of this when it comes to overall health and wellness. As we age, these kinds of health concerns can worsen.
Establishing healthy sleep patterns is important when it comes to health. Sleep is the body’s way of cleaning out the brain, resting and refreshing muscles, and helping to keep infection and illness at bay. Additionally, recent research indicates that a lack of healthy sleep can be a risk factor when it comes to strokes in the older population. Unfortunately, as seniors are at a higher risk of poor sleep than other demographics, this poses a risk for a large number of people.
If you’re unsure of how to improve your sleep life, please reach out to a doctor. Sometimes, a simple change in your day to day routine can be all that’s needed to resolve this issue. Sometimes, poor sleep can be the sign of a bigger problem going on. Working with a doctor can help to identify these issues and get you pointed in the right direction when it comes to your health.
Sleep is not the only challenge that seniors face as they age. There are many physical and emotional issues that can become magnified as someone grows older, sleep just being one of them. Working closely with a doctor is a good starting point when it comes to addressing these issues, but it’s typically not the only thing that needs to be done. Having a good support team outside of the doctor’s office is also important.
This is where something like senior care becomes important. A care service works with an individual on a day to day basis, sometimes around the clock if necessary. A care team looks at all of the needs of the individual and not just their physical health needs.
Having a care team that understands how complex these things are is important. And we’d love to be part of that team for you. Please feel free to get in touch and we can start the conversation.
Leave a Reply