3 Tips to Improve Sleep for Seniors

March 8, 2016

Insomnia can bother people of any age, but it’s especially troublesome for older people. Many seniors have health issues, and not getting adequate sleep can intensify chronic pain symptoms or other medical problems.

 

Plus, not sleeping can make people irritable and more prone to accidents such as falling, which can be life-altering for seniors. If you’re a caregiver, here are some tips to help older people get better sleep:

1. Talk to the Doctor

Some medications carry undesirable side effects, such as loss of sleep. A senior’s doctor can explain which of their medicines may be causing insomnia and alter treatment plans to improve the person’s sleep. AARP notes the following medications can cause insomnia:

Find Senior Living Near Me

 

statins, insomnia, seniorsMedications like statins can cause insomnia in older people.

 

2. Encourage Rest

Older people often have fewer obligations than they did at a younger age. Because they are retired, many have much free time during the day. This offers the perfect opportunity for older people to catch up on some sleep. Ensure that your senior loved one’s assisted living apartment has ample curtains to block out the midday sunlight and allow the resident to nap. Just ensure they don’t miss a meal because of oversleeping!

3. Follow a Sleep Schedule

Assisted living communities typically follow schedules for eating and medication times. This can be very helpful for seniors who have trouble sleeping because their day is structured. Eating at the same time daily can help the human body fall into a pattern of healthy sleep. Regulated blood sugar levels are responsible for that circadian rhythm, or the 24-hour life cycle of most living beings. Even drinking tea right before bed each night can help seniors calm their bodies and realize it’s time to sleep.

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