We all need a good night’s sleep – each and every night! But that’s not always possible, is it? Between work, the kids and a variety of other things that may be on your mind, it can be difficult to either get an adequate amount of sleep at night or get a restful sleep when you’re finally in bed.
For seniors, getting a good night’s sleep is even more difficult. On the Senior Living Blog, Sarah Stevenson reveals that aging causes our sleep patterns to change. She notes that the National Sleep Foundation reports that 44 percent of older persons experience one or more night time symptoms of insomnia at least a few nights per week or more.
So what can be done to help seniors sleep better at night? It all comes down to living a healthier lifestyle with a focus on exercise, diet and stress reduction.
Engage in light exercise.
When have you ever heard anyone disagree that exercising is a healthful practice? Seniors aren’t expected to go through rigorous workout routines, of course. But light exercise is a great way to both keep fit and develop better sleep routines. According to C-Care Health Services, there is a number of light exercises that are ideal for seniors and helpful in their quests to get sleep better at night.
“Consider 30-40 minutes exercise sessions, especially for aerobic activities, to release chemicals that facilitate restful sleep,” says their website, “Dance, swim and water exercises, golf, running, cycling, and lawn bowling are all beneficial, but consult your physician before trying a new fitness program.”
Eat a healthier diet.
According to Stevenson, a diet rich in nutrient-rich foods, complex carbs, lean protein and heart-healthy fats is highly recommended for seniors who wish to enjoy better sleeps at night. She also points out that spicy and greasy foods, excessive sweets, caffeinated beverages and alcohol are all no-no’s before bed.
Avoid stress.
As we mentioned earlier, having a lot on your mind can be an arch enemy of restful sleeps. Avoiding stress, therefore, is a key ingredient to getting longer hours of sleep each night. “Use different strategies to let go of worries and thoughts, such as reading a book, listening to music, using relaxation techniques, socializing, or getting a massage,” recommends C-Care Health Services.
Get a better bed.
Make no mistake about it. Your bed plays a huge role in whether or not you’re able to get a good night’s sleep. This is especially true for elderly individuals who may have trouble getting in and out of bed each night.
Home hospital beds allow individuals to increase sleeping comfort by adjusting bed positioning with proper therapeutic mattress surfaces. These beds are perfect for people who have a hard time getting in and out of bed, have sleeping issues or insomnia or happen to be bedridden.
If you have any questions about the home hospital beds offered by LifeCare Mobility Solutions, please don’t hesitate to call us at 416-267-9800 or email us at info@lifecaremobility.ca. You may also contact us by filling out the form on our Contact page!
