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The Importance Of Helping Seniors To Sleep Better

We all need a good night’s sleep – each and every night. As you’re undoubtedly aware, getting adequate sleep enables us to wake up recharged and rejuvenated each day. Getting regular, good quality sleep helps for our brains to function better, our moods to improve and our overall physical health to be at its best. And, as you may have guessed, proper sleep is imperative for seniors.

Seven to nine hours a night is ideal.

Seniors don’t necessarily need more sleep than their younger counterparts – approximately seven to nine hours a night is adequate – but quality sleep is harder to come by as we get older. Don’t assume it’s just because seniors are prone to getting up more often at night in order to visit the bathroom. Although this may be true for many older adults, there is a biological explanation for why seniors find it harder to sleep.

“One of the reasons that it’s harder to get to sleep and stay asleep is that changes occur in our brains as we age,” explains Hannah Stephens on SleepReports.com, “Some of the neurons responsible for sleep regulation die away. This makes it tougher to nod off in the first place and to maintain a state of deep sleep. In comparison to young adults, it takes most seniors considerably longer to fall asleep at the beginning of the night.”

As well, you won’t be surprised to hear that the various illnesses that many seniors endure make getting a good night’s sleep a difficult task. The symptoms associated with such ailments as arthritis, kidney and bladder problems, diabetes and Parkinson’s disease (just to name a few), can clearly create discomfort.  

A lack of proper sleep can impact a senior’s overall health.

In addition to being groggy and irritable, poor sleep can have physical implications for older adults. It makes them prone to slips and falls. Stephens points out that sleep disruption causes seniors to be more likely to injure themselves. In addition, poor sleep leaves seniors more susceptible to illness.

“In fact, it is now known that chronic sleep deprivation includes the likelihood of an individual developing several serious illnesses including cancer and diabetes,” she writes, “For seniors, these risks are even more serious. At a time in life where developing illness is more likely in any event, sleeplessness can compound the issue. Seniors who are sleep deprived are also more likely to experience falls, which can lead to long-term disability.”

Sleep quality and sleep quantity is equally important.

Yes, seven to nine hours of sleep is ideal. But, it’s also important to be able to fall asleep quickly and have that sleep go uninterrupted throughout the night. Such quality sleep enables seniors to feel more rested and therefore, more restored and refreshed in the morning. For this reason, the LifeCare Mobility team highly recommends home hospital beds for seniors.

Home hospital beds are perfect for individuals who have a hard time getting in and out of bed, have sleeping issues or insomnia or those individuals who are 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!

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