Why Do My Senior Parents Sleep Less?
Growing older does affect how much a person sleeps and their nightly sleeping routine. Aging is tied to many health concerns, and it can be scary for the entire family to deal with. Some parents may not want to go to a senior home to be monitored 24/7, but they still need help to be on their own. Companion care at home is an essential part of keeping a senior healthy and happy. Your older parents may want to be independent, but sometimes it takes a team of support to ensure they can live on their own away from the senior home.
You may start to notice that your older loved ones are sleeping much less, but why is that? It is super common for older adults to have a change in their sleeping habits. They may experience poor sleep, struggle to fall asleep, or restless sleep with no deep sleep. This can lead to exhaustion, mood changes, and much more. Getting adequate sleep each night can impact a senior’s mental and physical health.
Companion Care at Home Can Step In
Companion care at home can be a huge help when you are worried about someone’s sleep. They can help monitor how long someone sleeps and how often they get up in the middle of the night and find ways to help them sleep better. Companion care at home can help a senior focus on comfort, nutrition, health, exercise, and much more. All of this could help a senior sleep better at night.
How Aging Affects Sleep
Not everyone is the same and aging will affect everyone differently. All human bodies are different and sometimes people will experience stress, anxiety, and much more that will impact sleep. Things like obesity, dementia, and other diseases can also impact a seniors ability to sleep. Here are some things that affect how well a senior sleeps.
Shifting Sleeping Schedules
As an adult ages the circadian rhythms shift. This means that older adults may get tired much earlier in the afternoon and wake up much earlier in the morning. It is something that naturally happens and shouldn’t be too much of a concern as long as they are getting adequate sleep.
Waking Up in The Middle of The Night
Some older adults will not be able to sleep through the night. They may wake up repeatedly. This could be due to discomfort in joints or not being able to reach a deep sleep. Older adults tend to spend most of their time in earlier stages of sleep which impact how rested they feel.
More Napping
Many older adults love to nap during the day. Unfortunately, this small snooze can drastically impact how well someone can fall asleep at night. If a senior likes to nap, companion care at home should encourage strategic napping times.
There is a myth going around that seniors need less sleep, but that isn’t true. Seniors may not be able to sleep as well as younger adults but that doesn’t mean they need less. A healthy sleeping routine is crucial to live longer and healthier.
Sources:
- https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/10-myths-about-aging
- https://www.sleepfoundation.org/aging-and-sleep
If you or an aging loved-one is considering Companion Care at Home Services in Eastman GA please contact the caring staff at Angels of Mercy Private Homecare Services, Inc. today at 478-745-5111.
Angels of Mercy Private Homecare has been providing in-home care services since 2002 throughout the Macon and Middle Georgia Area.
Angels of Mercy Private Homecare Services provides in-home care that improves the lives of the clients. Our services help them maintain the highest possible level of independent living. We provide In-home private duty care and care management services for seniors throughout the Middle Georgia area.
Our CNA (certified nursing aides), caregiver, and companion services allow our clients to age in the place where they feel most comfortable and secure - at home. Combine our Home Care Services, with our Geriatric Care Management component, and we provide the most comprehensive assistance for the Middle Georgia areas seniors.
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