Elderly people still need the seven to nine hours of sleep each night recommended for adults by the National Sleep Foundation. Unfortunately, a variety of health issues and changes in sleep patterns disrupt that sleep, causing seniors to battle sleep deprivation. By better understanding the physical and mental causes the elderly don't get the sleep that night, you help the seniors you care for to get a better night's sleep while treating various underlying issues.
Pain Management
Common bodily aches and pains contribute to a feeling of restlessness and a lack of sleep come nightfall. Addressing a senior's general pain using prevention and treatment methods helps reduce the pain for more restful sleep. A combination of over-the-counter pain medication, massage therapy, warm water or other heat therapy and other coping tactics helps to relax sore muscles and tendons before bed. If pain is keeping a senior awake at night, talk to his doctor about possible prescription or surgical treatment methods.
Daily Exercise
Participating in physical activity daily helps an elderly person sleep more soundly at night. The American Academy of Family Physicians points out that a disruption of the circadian sleep cycle occurs when sedentary seniors attempt to go to sleep after spending time inside in dim, indoor lighting. Without the proper demarcation between daytime activities and nighttime activities, it becomes difficult for the body to properly wind down at bedtime. Water aerobics, walking and spending time outside with low impact activities helps restore a natural rhythm so sleep comes more easily.
Bedtime Routine
The inability to fall asleep is often the result of anxiety at bedtime. When an elderly adult knows that he has trouble sleeping, that worry becomes the largest roadblock to sleep when night falls. That's why a predictable, calming and constant bedtime routine works to help ready a senior for bed. Reading a book, having a warm shower or listening to the same type of music every night gives a senior the confidence to go to bed and fall asleep naturally.
Prescription Medications
In some cases, lifestyle remedies, changes and routines aren't enough to stop senior sleep issues. If a senior has been diagnosed with insomnia, restless legs syndrome, sleep apnea or any other number of issues that could disrupt nightly sleep, his doctor might prescribe prescription medications or order home equipment to help remedy the issue. Staying in contact with an elderly adult's doctor and scheduling regular appointments helps keep the lines of communication so his doctor knows when there's a potential problem.
