Did you know that it’s vitally important for seniors to get adequate sleep each night? They should be getting at least 8 hours of rest to be at their healthiest. However, it’s not enough to just lie in bed for 8 hours and get fitful sleep. The quality of sleep is what’s important! How well we rest affects our mood, our health and our ability to function properly.
As we age, we are at greater risk for certain diseases, and seniors are especially vulnerable to high blood pressure, kidney disease, strokes and diabetes. That risk increases if they are not getting proper rest.
There are many ways to prepare for rest and these tips are especially beneficial for seniors!
1. Go to bed at the same time each night
Many seniors are naturally good at this! Setting your body’s natural clock helps you get the most rest and the best quality rest. Waking at the same time every morning and going to bed as close to the same time as possible are incredibly helpful for getting great sleep. This is especially true on weekends.
2. Don’t toss and turn all night
If seniors are feeling restless while lying in bed, it’s better to just get up and use up that extra energy that isn’t totally spent. Rather than stare at the clock or lie there becoming irritated, it’s helpful to do a load of laundry or other house chore, or perhaps do something relaxing such as reading.
3. Prepare the bedroom atmosphere
Quality of rest depends greatly on the environment that is set up for sleep. If your senior loved one’s room is too hot, cool, or noisy, they are not going to get the sleep they need. Consider the time of evening they go to bed. If the sun hasn’t gone down fully quite yet, get some curtains that will blacken the room and block out light. Keep the temperature in the room comfortable—not more than 70 degrees—and use earplugs if there is too much noise nearby.
4. Finally, don’t go to bed with electronic devices such as cell phones, computers or tablets!
It’s tempting to lie in bed and watch movies, especially when you can’t sleep. But bringing your computer to bed can make you get far less sleep. It’s better to shut everything off and just go to bed and REST.
For more information on how seniors can get the best quality sleep, please contact us today!!
Home Helpers of Pocatello is a locally-owned, trusted home health care agency and offers quality, compassionate senior in-home care services including home care assistance, personal care, companion care, respite care, Alzheimer's & dementia care as well as homemaker services in Pocatello, Chubbuck, Blackfoot, American Falls, Soda Springs, Aberdeen, McCammon, and Lava Hot Springs.