VISITING ANGELS LONGMONT, CO 303-828-2664
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Why Getting a Good Night's Sleep is Vital to Your Loved One's Well-Being

At Visiting Angels, we’ve helped many seniors in Longmont, Boulder, Louisville and surrounding Colorado communities get a good night’s sleep. Here’s how our personal care services can help your loved one

Sleeping disorders and difficulties with falling asleep affect as many as 70 million Americans. This is a growing problem for many older adults as sleep remains essential to maintaining one’s overall health, especially in golden years.

At Visiting Angels of Boulder County, we offer a variety of in-home personal care services to help seniors stay healthy and comfortable as they live out their golden years at home. If your loved one has trouble with going to sleep and staying asleep at night, our home care options can help your loved one adopt healthy habits to improve their sleep.

What Happens During Sleep

The sleeping cycle consists of two main phases known as non-REM and REM (rapid eye movement). During the non-REM cycle, our body goes through four different stages, from wakefulness to deep sleep. Research data shows that non-REM sleep is the most restorative part of the sleeping cycle, significant for maintaining learning and memory skills.

In the second, REM phase, our muscles slowly become immobilized and our eyes start moving rapidly behind closed lids. This stage is essential for providing much-needed energy to the brain and body. It is also a stage during which we dream.

Any disruption of these phases makes our body start the whole cycle all over again. As a consequence, a person is unable to attain the deeper, restorative properties of sleep.

Causes of Sleeplessness in Aging Adults

Unfortunately, aging adults are not as sound sleepers as their younger counterparts. To showcase this claim, experts from personal care services often mention a recent study that determined that a whopping 44 percent of our elderly population has problems with insomnia more than once a week.

Sleeping disorders in seniors may stem from a number of medical issues such as health complications, prescribed medications, uncontrolled bladder, sleep apnea and many more.

Then there are those afflicted with arthritis, muscular atrophy and heart conditions that have trouble sleeping at night due to chronic pain. Degenerative brain disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease may cause sleep disturbances too.

Health Risks Related to Sleep Deprivation

Except for the usual grumpiness and moodiness associated with unslept nights, chronic sleeplessness can turn into sleep deprivation and cause a number of health-related complications.

Any qualified provider of personal care services can tell you that not sleeping well can lead to a number of issues in golden years, including:

  • Cognitive problems
  • Weakened immunity system
  • Increased risk of developing heart disease
  • Increased risk of obesity
  • Diabetes, especially type 2 diabetes
  • Depression and/or anxiety

How Your Loved One Can Sleep Better with the Help of Personal Care Services from Visiting Angels of Boulder County

If your senior loved one is not sleeping well, you may suggest some of these techniques and routines that can help them get a good night’s sleep.

Here are some healthy habits your loved one can adopt to improve their sleep:

  • Create a daily schedule that includes going to bed and getting up at the same time
  • Refrain from drinking late-night coffee and consuming other products that contain caffeine
  • Get as much daily physical activity as possible
  • Take a warm bath and relax before bed
  • Avoid unnecessary daytime naps
  • Completely darken the bedroom, turning off all devices and lighting
  • Cool down the room to boost sleep quality
  • Do not watch TV or use a smartphone immediately before bedtime

Be tactful if your aging loved one complains about sleeplessness. Encourage them to consult with their doctor or seek advice from professionals offering personal care services. Making efforts to help your loved one improve their quality of sleep can result in an elevated life quality and increased independence as well.  

To learn how we can help your loved one sleep soundly, contact our Longmont, CO office today.

Visiting Angels provides in-home senior care services for families in Allenspark, Boulder, Eldorado Springs, Erie, Hygiene, Lafayette, Longmont, Louisville, Lyons, Nederland, Niwot, Pinecliff, Ward and the surrounding areas of Boulder County, CO.

Serving Boulder County, including Longmont, Boulder, Louisville, Erie, Lafayette and Surrounding Areas

Visiting Angels LONGMONT, CO
2040 Terry St #106
Longmont, CO 80501
Phone: 303-828-2664

Serving Boulder County, including Longmont, Boulder, Louisville, Erie, Lafayette and Surrounding Areas

Visiting Angels LONGMONT, CO
2040 Terry St #106
Longmont, CO 80501
Phone: 303-828-2664