Sleep Changes in Seniors

Victoria Senior Home Care  |  April 7, 2021

What Every Senior in Victoria, BC Needs to Know About Sleep and Changes in Sleep

Sleep Changes in Seniors | Sleep patterns and habits are normal to change with age. However, waking up too often in the middle of the night, being tired after waking up, and experiencing other symptoms of insomnia is not considered a normal part of aging.

Sleep Changes in Seniors: Insomnia

Insomnia is very common among all age groups, but seniors are mostly affected by it – as much as 25% of adults older than 65 report symptoms of insomnia and poor sleep. The tricky part is that a lot of seniors think they have insomnia because they do not sleep as well as they used to when they were younger – but not sleeping as well as when they were younger does not mean they suffer from insomnia.

This may sound confusing, so let us take a closer look at what are normal sleeping changes in senior years. To begin with, seniors often go to bed earlier in the evening and also wake up earlier in the morning. This is considered normal, due to the changes in the internal body clock that regulates sleep. It is also normal for seniors to become light sleepers, that is to spend less time in deep sleep (and to sleep less overall). And if a senior wakes up during the night, it is also nothing to worry about – seniors sleep as much as 15% less than younger adults.

If you or a loved one are experiencing these problems with sleep, it is fairly easy to solve them. But suppose the problems are caused by serious health conditions like sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, depression, arthritis, or side effects of medications. In that case, it is best to consult with a medical professional.

Sleep Changes in Seniors: How to Improve Sleep

So, how can you sleep better or help your loved one get a good night’s sleep? Here are some tips that may help:

• Establishing a regular sleeping schedule (going to bed and waking up at the same time every day)
• Avoiding long naps during the day
• Engaging in regular physical activity
• Spending plenty of time in the sun
• Limiting caffeine and alcohol intake
• Make sure the bed is for sleeping only (not spending time in bed reading, watching TV, etc.)

If you are still stuck, you should consider talking to a doctor. But for most seniors, changing a couple of lifestyle habits should do the trick, drastically improving their sleep and overall wellness, too.

At Comfort Keepers® Victoria we feel that home is the best place to be.

If you are concerned about the health and well-being of your aging loved ones we can help with 24-hour care, senior care, companionship care, end-of-life care, post-surgery care, palliative care, personal care, senior living transition services, and much more! 

Comfort Keepers® Victoria Provides In-Home Elderly Care Services

Comfort Keepers®’s trained caregivers help provide senior clients with the highest quality of life possible to keep them happy and healthy at home. Our Interactive Caregiving™ provides a system of care that addresses safety, nutrition, mind, body, and activities of daily living (ADLs).

Comfort Keepers® Victoria In-Home Caregivers Can Help with Interactive Caregiving™

Our philosophy is to elevate the human spirit and our caregivers will be there every step of the way to ensure your loved one has a better quality of life. Personal and 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 which offers personal care, companionship care, palliative care, and end-of-life care by contacting the Comfort Keepers Victoria office.

Comfort Keepers® Victoria is proud to provide senior care and home care services to keep seniors safe in their homes.

If you are searching for home care near me, Comfort Keepers® Victoria can provide home care for the seniors of Victoria and the surrounding areas of Colwood, Saanich, Sidney, James Bay, and Oak Bay. Please call (778) 265-5999 and learn how your loved ones can receive compassionate, professional in-home care.

Comfort Keepers® Victoria has been accredited with Exemplary Standing with Accreditation Canada. Accreditation is an intensive process in which an organization’s processes, policies, and procedures are examined by industry experts against a set of quality standards. To achieve accredited status, Comfort Keepers offices met or exceeded the rigorous standards for Home Care companies, as defined by Accreditation Canada. 

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