How Much Sleep Does a Senior Need?

Edmonton Senior Health  |  February 11, 2020

What Every Senior in Edmonton, AB Needs to Know About Quality Sleep

How much sleep does a senior need? | With age come many changes in the way our bodies function. While it may not be expected, sleep is one part of life that can also change in senior years. Almost half of all adults 65 and older have a hard time falling asleep and getting a good night’s rest. For many seniors, getting 7-8 hours of sleep per night is almost impossible.

How much sleep does a senior need? Here is a list of reasons for poor sleep quality in seniors:

• Fewer chemicals and chromones that are responsible for sleep quality
• Sensitivity to various environmental factors like noise, light, and temperature
• Chronic conditions like Parkinson’s or stroke
• Chronic pain

It is also important to keep in mind that some seniors go to bed early in the evening and then wake up in the middle of the night. Some older adults take naps during the day and cannot fall asleep at night as a result.

Not being able to sleep throughout the night does not just affect mood but can result in memory problems and increase the risk of falling. It can also lead to the development of illness and infections as well as headaches overall weakness and fatigue.

If your loved one cannot fall asleep or has other sleep issues, they should talk with their medical team. However, there are some things they can do on their own to boost their sleep quality, including:

• Developing and sticking to a sleep schedule (going to bed at the same time every night and waking up at the same time every morning)
• Following a healthy diet and avoiding foods that are too spicy or high in sugar. Alcohol and caffeine should also be avoided.
• Understanding what daily routines affect sleep quality (some people find it easier to fall asleep at night if they exercise during the day or do not take naps)

Comfort Keepers® in Edmonton Can Help with In-Home Elderly Care!

If you are concerned about the health and well-being of your aging loved ones we can help. Comfort Keepers®’ trained caregivers help provide senior clients with the highest quality of life possible to keep them happy and healthy at home. 

Companionship and Interactive Caregiving™

Our Interactive Caregiving™ provides a system of care that addresses safety, nutrition, mind, body, and activities of daily living (ADLs).

Moreover, our trained caregivers are selected with one specific quality in mind: empathy. Empathetic care is care that starts in the heart, and it allows us to meet our client’s exact needs. 

Learn more about our unique service offering by contacting the Comfort Keepers Edmonton office. If you live in Devon, Edmonton, Sherwood Park, or Stony Plain and surrounding areas, contact Comfort Keepers at 780-465-4665.

Comfort Keepers® Edmonton is an Approved Service Provider for the Client Directed Homecare Invoicing Program Offered by Alberta Health Services. Is Invoicing the Right Option for You?  Read more about the program HERE.

Comfort Keepers Edmonton is here to help you and your loved ones get the best care possible. Awarded the “Accredited with Exemplary Standing” seal by Accreditation Canada. Our Edmonton location has achieved the highest available certification in Canada for Home Care services, clearly demonstrating Comfort Keepers’ commitment to offering safe, high-quality home care to its senior clients in Edmonton.

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