A good night's rest is an important part of senior care for seniors in Fresno, CA
At Visiting Angels Fresno, we know sleep is an essential part of health for every person, especially seniors. A good night’s rest is essential for senior care. Sleep helps seniors maintain their health physically and mentally. Don’t disregard losing sleep as another side effect of aging. Good sleep is beneficial at any age and should always be strived for.
What Happens When You’re Asleep?
Once you drift off into dreamland, the brain moves through REM, otherwise known as rapid-eye-movement, sleep and non-REM sleep. REM sleep is what gives your brain and your body that much-needed boost of energy.
Non-REM sleep, on the other hand, is restorative and helps the brain with learning and memory. It consists of four stages.
- Stage 1: drifting from wakefulness to sleep
- Stage 2: heart rate slows and body temperature drops; signals onset of sleep
- Stage 3-4: blood pressure drops, breathing slows, muscles relax, brain waves are active; deepest and most restorative sleep stages
If a person’s sleep stages are constantly interrupted, they most likely won’t go through all the sleep stages and sleep peacefully.
Insomnia, difficulty getting to sleep or staying asleep, is a common problem with adults over 60. The reasons behind insomnia are varied. They include sleep apnea, frequent urination, medication, and health issues such as arthritis pain and Alzheimer’s disease.
How Sleep Deprivation Poses Health Risks
Sleep deprivation can affect senior care in a variety of ways:
- Cognitive impairment
- Weakened immunity
- Greater heart disease risk
- Increased risk of obesity
- Diabetes
- Anxiety or/and depression
Tips for Better Sleep
If a senior struggles to get a good night’s rest, there are ways to better their sleep and improve senior care:
- Avoid late-night coffee: Caffeine can stop the body from being able to relax.
- Set a daily schedule: Keeping a solid schedule throughout the day (waking up, showering, etc.) can help you maintain your rest at night.
- Go Outside: Sun exposure helps a person differentiate between day and night.
- Take a warm bath: Taking a nice bath 90 to 120 minutes before bed tells your body it’s time to go to sleep. Once you get out of bed, your core body temperature drops and signals sleep time.
- Turn off the TV; Avoid any screens (TV, smartphone, computer, etc.) at least an hour before bed.
If your loved one complains of restlessness, bring it up to their physician. A slight change in medication dosage or timing might diminish the issue. Also, there may be a health issue causing the lack of sleep. Sleep significantly impacts senior care. With great sleep, comes a higher quality of life both physically and mentally.
Call Visiting Angels Fresno to learn more about senior care and how we can help your loved one feel safe and comfortable in their own home.