Seniors and Sleep: How Much Sleep Do Older Adults in Calgary, AB Need?

Home Care Blog>In Home Care  |  March 15, 2020

Seniors and Sleep: How Much Sleep Do Older Adults in Calgary, AB Need?

Seniors and Sleep: How Much Sleep Do Older Adults Need? | Did you know that seniors may wake up 3 or 4 times per night? Many seniors also have trouble falling asleep or getting enough sleep. However, just like the rest of us, seniors need around 7-8 hours of sleep.

Causes of Poor Sleep in Seniors

• Underlying medical conditions can cause difficulty sleeping for seniors. Heart or lung conditions like COPD can make it difficult to breathe easily, which can cause a senior to wake up during the night. Seniors with Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s also may have trouble sleeping. Any condition that causes chronic pain can impact sleep, too.
• Sleep Apnea is a top cause of sleep trouble. If your loved one is having trouble sleeping well, talk to their doctor about getting tested for sleep apnea. In fact, a study done on 68-year-old seniors showed that 37% of those tested met the criteria for sleep apnea.
• Insomnia is another cause of poor sleep in seniors. As we get older, our body releases fewer of the hormones that help us fall asleep and stay asleep. Combine that with anxiety, depression, or another medical condition and it can be quite difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep.

How Seniors Can Sleep More Soundly

If your loved one is having trouble sleeping, there are steps they can take to start to improve their sleep.

• Engage in healthy habits. Make sure that your loved one isn’t drinking caffeine too late in the day, and that they’re getting healthy meals. A senior home care provider can help them experiment with meal times and sleep, as some people have trouble sleeping if they’ve eaten recently. Other healthy habits include getting daily exercise.
• Practice nighttime rituals. Whether it’s yoga, meditation, or just some deep breaths, keeping a pre-bedtime schedule can help signal to the brain that it’s time to go to bed. Also, make sure that the bedroom is dark, quiet, and a comfortable temperature.

Comfort Keepers® Calgary Can Help

Comfort Keepers can help. If your loved one is having trouble sleeping, a Comfort Keepers senior home care provider can help them stick to a schedule and keep healthy habits. Our caregivers can provide wellness support, remind clients to take medication, provide transportation to scheduled appointments, and support physician-prescribed exercise regimens and diets. As part of an individualized care plan, caregivers can let a senior’s care team know if there are changes in behavior or physical characteristics. Our goal is to see that clients have the means to find the joy and happiness in each day, regardless of age or acuity.

To learn more about our in-home care services, contact your the Comfort Keepers Calgary location today.

Comfort Keepers Calgary is here to help you and your loved ones get the best care possible.

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