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Sleep Disorders in Older Adults

Sleep disorders in the elderly involve any disruption of their sleep pattern. This can comprise problems falling or staying asleep, excessive sleep, or unusual behaviors concerning sleep.

Causes of Sleep Disorders

Sleep problems are not uncommon in older adults. The amount of sleep required stays constant throughout our adult years. It is suggested that adults get seven to eight hours of sleep every night. In the elderly, sleep is less deep and spottier than sleep in those that are younger.

Sleep disorders in older adults may be the result of any of the following:

  • Alzheimer’s disease
  • Use of alcohol
  • Changes in the body’s natural sleep/ wake cycle, causing some of those to fall asleep earlier in the evening
  • Chronic disease, like heart failure
  • Specific medicines, supplements, herbs, and recreational drugs
  • Depression (this is a common cause of sleep issues in the old and young alike)
  • Brain and nervous system ailments
  • Not being very active
  • Pain caused by diseases like arthritis
  • Stimulants like caffeine and nicotine
  • The need to urinate during the night

Symptoms of Causes of Sleep Disorders in Older Adults

Symptoms that may occur include:

  • Trouble falling and staying asleep
  • Difficulty distinguishing night and day
  • Waking up early in the morning
  • Waking up throughout the night (for instance, to use the bathroom)

Examinations and Test

Your healthcare provider is going to revisit the timeline and carry out a physical examination to ascertain it there are any medical causes and establish which type of sleep disorder is causing the issue.

Your healthcare provider may suggest you start keeping a sleep diary or that you have a sleep study (polysomnography) carried out.

Treatment For Sleep Disorders in Older Adults

Alleviating chronic pain and managing medical conditions like nocturia or frequently going to the bathroom may improve sleep in some people. Treatments for depression are going to often improve sleep.

Going to sleep in a quiet room, that is the perfect temperature and having a peaceful bedtime routine could help promote symptoms. Other ways to encourage sleep include this healthy way of living tips:

  • Stay away from large meals shortly before going to sleep. A small bedtime snack could be beneficial. A lot of people find that warm milk promotes sleepiness, because it contains a natural, sedative-like amino acids.
  • Stay away from stimulants like caffeine for at least three or four hours prior to bed.
  • Exercise at regular times every day, however, not within three hours of your bedtime.
  • Head for bed and wake up at the same time each day.
  • Avoid taking naps.
  • Stay away from TV or using your computer, cell phone, or tablet in the bedroom.
  • Avoid tobacco products, particularly prior to sleep.
  • Only use the bed for sleeping or sexual encounters.

If you are unable to fall asleep after twenty minutes, get out of bed and do a quiet activity like reading or listening to soothing music.

Sleeping Pills and Sleep Disorders

If possible, stay away from the use of sleeping pills to help you go to sleep. They could result in addiction and can make sleep issues worse over time if you don’t use them the correctly. Your healthcare provider should evaluate your risks of daytime sleepiness, mental side effects, and falls prior to you start taking sleep medicines.

  • If you believe you require sleeping pills, consult with your healthcare provider concerning which ones are safe for you when taken correctly. Particular sleeping pills shouldn’t be taken for longer than directed.
  • Avoid drinking alcohol at all times when taking/ using sleeping pills. Alcohol can enhance the side effects of every sleeping pill, making them worse.

WARNING: The FDA has petitioned manufacturers of particular sleep medicines to put more powerful warning labels on their products in order for consumers to be more aware of the possible dangers. Potential dangers while taking these medicines include a risky allergic reaction and dangerous sleep-associated behaviors, which could include sleep-driving. Ask your healthcare provider about these risks.

Outlook (Prognosis) of Sleep Disorders

For a lot of people, sleep improves using some type of treatment. Nevertheless, others may continue to have sleep disorders.

Possible Complications of Sleep Disorders in Older Adults

Possible complications could be:

  • Alcohol and/ or drug use
  • Increased risk of falling (because of frequently urinating at night)

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Alzheimer's Disease, Elderly Ailments, Senior Living, Sleep and Aging, Sleep Disorders, Sleep Disorders in Older Adults
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What is Alzheimer's Disease
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What is Alzheimer’s Disease?

Alzheimer’s is the most general cause of dementia, common terminology for memory loss and different cognitive capacities harsh enough to disrupt day-to-day life. This disease accounts for sixty to eighty percent of dementia cases.

Alzheimer’s isn’t a normal part of getting older. The biggest known risk factor is getting older, and many of the individuals with Alzheimer’s are sixty-five or older. This disease is thought to be younger-onset Alzheimer’s if it impacts an individual under sixty-five. This could also be called early-onset Alzheimer’s. Individuals with this type of Alzheimer’s could be in the initial, middle or later stages of the disease.

Alzheimer’s gets worse over time. It is a degenerative disease, whereupon dementia symptoms gradually get worse over the years. In its initial stages, loss of memory is moderate, however, with later-stage Alzheimer’s, those with it lose the capability to carry on a discussion and a response to their environment. On average, an individual with Alzheimer’s lives 4 to 8 years after initial diagnosis but can live up to 20 years, subject to other factors.

There is no cure for Alzheimer’s, but 2 treatments — donanemab (Kisunla™) and lecanemab (Leqembi®) — prove that the removal of beta-amyloid, one of the distinctive traits of Alzheimer’s disease, from the brain decreases functional and cognitive reduction in those living with early Alzheimer’s. Other treatments can briefly slow the advancement of dementia symptoms and enhance quality of life for those with living Alzheimer’s and their care takers. Presently, there is a global effort underway to find better ways for treating the disease, postpones its onset and prevents it from advancing.

Symptoms of Alzheimer’s

The most general initial symptom of Alzheimer’s is difficulty recollecting freshly learned information.

Similar to our bodies, our brains transform as we get older. Most of us ultimately observe some slowed thinking and sporadic issues with recollecting certain things. Nevertheless, sharp loss of memory, confusion and other considerable changes in the way our brains work might be an indication that neurons are weakening.

Alzheimer’s changes usually start in the part of the brain that impacts learning. As Alzheimer’s progresses through the brain leading to increasingly harsh symptoms, amongst other things disorientation, behavior and mood changes; deepening misunderstanding concerning events, time and place; baseless suspicions concerning family, friends and professional caretakers; more harsh loss of memory and behavior changes; and challenges speaking, eating or drinking and walking.

Those with memory loss or further possible signs of Alzheimer’s might find it hard to recognize they have an issue. Signs of dementia could be more noticeable to family members or friends. Anyone enduring dementia-like symptoms should see a doctor sooner than later. If you need help finding a doctor with experience assessing memory issues, your local Alzheimer’s Association can help. Early diagnosis and intervention techniques are improving drastically, and treatment alternatives and sources of support could improve quality of life.

Research and Progress

In 1906, German doctor Alois Alzheimer initially detailed as “a peculiar disease” — one of deep loss of memory and diminutive changes in the brain — a disease we presently call Alzheimer’s.

Presently, Alzheimer’s is at the front of bio-medical research. Scientists are working to uncover as many facets of Alzheimer’s and other dementias as imaginable. Some of the most impressive advancements have opened a window on how Alzheimer’s impacts the brain. The hope is that this knowledge is going to lead to new treatments. Many possible approaches are presently under investigation throughout the world.

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If you are doing research about retirement communities in Peoria, Arizona, Vista Winds Retirement Home should definitely be on your list. Vista Winds offers retirement living at its finest. We have a rich calendar of activities, meals prepared by a Chef and caregivers on staff 24 hours a day for your health and safety. We offer award winning independent living, assisted living and memory care services. Come tour our community to see how we are a step above the rest and how easy it is to Make Yourself at Home! Vista Winds is surrounded by amazing views and our resort style property will be sure to impress!

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Alzheimer's Disease, Alzheimer's disease and dementia
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